BajaNomad - Road from Mulege to San Juanico?

Road from Mulege to San Juanico?

BigBearRider - 12-4-2015 at 05:35 PM

How is the road from Mulege to San Juanico via San Miguel and Los Caballos?

Gulliver - 12-4-2015 at 07:48 PM

I'm riding out that way next week. The rumor locally is that there was damage from the Summer rains but that it has been patched up.

What are you riding/driving and when are you hitting Mulege?

BigBearRider - 12-4-2015 at 08:35 PM

Whatever it takes. I was hoping a 4x4 SUV wouldn't have any issues. Is it paved all the way?

Gulliver - 12-4-2015 at 09:12 PM

Essentially none of it is paved. And rigs like yours have made it regularly. But some of it takes some care and slow driving.

The first ten miles are the most confusing due to damage from hurricane Odile last year. Before you do it, I will either share some instructions for that part or lead you out the first ten miles.

How soon are you coming down?

BigBearRider - 12-4-2015 at 09:12 PM

Whatever it takes. I was hoping a 4x4 SUV wouldn't have any issues. Is it paved all the way?

motoged - 12-4-2015 at 09:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BigBearRider

..... Is it paved all the way?

[Edited on 12-5-2015 by motoged]

BigBearRider - 12-4-2015 at 09:39 PM

Looks paved enough for me! Awesome!

Gulliver - 12-4-2015 at 09:41 PM

Aww. That's the freeway part.

BigBearRider - 12-4-2015 at 09:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Gulliver

Essentially none of it is paved. And rigs like yours have made it regularly. But some of it takes some care and slow driving.

The first ten miles are the most confusing due to damage from hurricane Odile last year. Before you do it, I will either share some instructions for that part or lead you out the first ten miles.

How soon are you coming down?

Thank you kindly for the offer. I don't know when I'll be down next time. I'm hoping to convince my wife that we should go for Xmas, but she's not that thrilled with the idea.

BigBearRider - 12-4-2015 at 09:44 PM

Maybe I should take the 1x1 bike instead.

motoged - 12-4-2015 at 09:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BigBearRider

..... I'm hoping to convince my wife that we should go for Xmas, but she's not that thrilled with the idea.

Send her a postcard .... :biggrin:

BigBearRider - 12-4-2015 at 09:52 PM

She says she doesn't think the drive down is suitable for our 2.5 year old, and I am too cheap to fly.

Gulliver - 12-4-2015 at 10:31 PM

Those pictures are fairly representative of most of the road. There are some much rougher spots about 20 miles out of Mulege where the road is confined to the canyon and the flood really tore things up.

I will post pictures and info. Stay tuned.

BigBearRider - 12-5-2015 at 06:25 AM

Thanks. How many hours do you think the drive is by 4x4? By dirt bike?

willyAirstream - 12-5-2015 at 07:45 AM

It is somewhat repaired now and a lot less water crossings than 2 months ago. 3 hours on a moto, 5 plus with a 4x4. The trail/road takes many different paths than last year, especially on the start and end. The first 2 miles of icehouse road are paved, so your holeshot will be fast. One hotel in SJ has a paved driveway. Voy voy.
Btw, about half way, there is a rustic camp area with tables, fire pits and shade structures. No pay toilets yet.

BigBearRider - 12-5-2015 at 09:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by willyAirstream

It is somewhat repaired now and a lot less water crossings than 2 months ago. 3 hours on a moto, 5 plus with a 4x4. The trail/road takes many different paths than last year, especially on the start and end. The first 2 miles of icehouse road are paved, so your holeshot will be fast. One hotel in SJ has a paved driveway. Voy voy.
Btw, about half way, there is a rustic camp area with tables, fire pits and shade structures. No pay toilets yet.

Thank you. Very helpful information.

El Jefe - 12-5-2015 at 09:37 AM

Tell your wife that having a little kid or a baby is like having a diplomatic passport in Mexico. Everywhere you go you will be welcomed with great big smiles. No excuse not to go. And babies love getting in the dirt!

Gulliver - 12-5-2015 at 03:57 PM

Wouldn't a motorcycle be a 2 x 1? Two wheels and one wheel drive? Unless you can do the trip on the rear wheel, of course. Beyond my skills.

BigBearRider - 12-5-2015 at 08:19 PM

I thought of the 1x1 after I posted, and I was thinking that it'd be right if I'd do a wheelie all the way.

MulegeAL - 12-6-2015 at 06:23 PM

Last April I logged about 30 miles of arroyo rock on the Pacific side. Will be interested in Gullie's findings next week.

David K - 12-6-2015 at 06:39 PM

Still seeking new photos of the Guadalupe mission site that is 14 miles north of this road on a side road. Many thanks!

Gulliver - 12-6-2015 at 08:58 PM

If I don't leave my bones up there. This solo riding requires discretion and good sense both of which I am in short supply. Barbara has finally made me leave Daniel's cell phone number with her so she can call out the cavalry if I don't show up.

I brought down some camp gear this year so I can avoid that stinking night ride back from Mission Guadalupe. I think the cows down here are photochromic like fancy sunglasses. White during the day and black at night.

I'll try to remember to take some pictures of anything particularly ugly. Besides me, that is.

MulegeAL - 12-7-2015 at 10:20 AM

Enjoy the ride, safe travels, no hurry!

Maybe try the shortcut over the mesa to Cadeje, it was graded and had dirt on top! Also had an over the fender water crossing at the bottom!

I'm guessing 12 watercrossings on the Pacific side. Lost count last season at 20+ !

BigBearRider - 12-7-2015 at 11:03 AM

Wow.

willyAirstream - 12-7-2015 at 12:03 PM

We will have a up to date report tomorrow. 5 nomads are on their to SJ from Mulege today.

AKgringo - 12-7-2015 at 01:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willyAirstream

We will have a up to date report tomorrow. 5 nomads are on their to SJ from Mulege today.

Looking forward to the report. That route was one of the ones I wanted to check out this year (sadly, I am still in Northern CA).

I will be driving a 2 door Kia Sportage pulling a sturdy camp trailer. It is better than average off road, but not a serious rock crawler, or deep water rig. Curious to know if that drive is do-able for me.

For a day or two, or three, the trailer could stay in Mulege if the road is marginal.

Gulliver - 12-7-2015 at 07:11 PM

I'm down with a case of evil tamale disease so I won't be headed out that way for a day or two. I never get upset stomach down here! A first for me and I'm a complete fool for street food.

motoged - 12-7-2015 at 07:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

I will be driving a 2 door Kia Sportage pulling a sturdy camp trailer. ....

I have ridden this road over a dozen times since 2005 by moto and would NEVER want to do it in a 4 wheel vehicle ( not meaning 4-wheel drive) I owned unless it was designed for off-road use (which does NOT include my Silverado 4X4)....but would do it in a heartbeat by bike regardless of what the storms have done to it.

So.....I suggest "NO" to the trailer idea.....but "Go for it" with your Sportage ......it is a route to be savoured and respected simply for the terrain, if nothing else.

PS. I would drive it in someone else's 4 wheel vehicle :biggrin:

dtbushpilot - 12-7-2015 at 08:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

I will be driving a 2 door Kia Sportage pulling a sturdy camp trailer. ....

PS, I have one, let's try it, if it gets too rough we can go back and get the bikes :bounce:

AKgringo - 12-7-2015 at 08:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

I will be driving a 2 door Kia Sportage pulling a sturdy camp trailer. ....

So.....I suggest "NO" to the trailer idea.....but "Go for it" with your Sportage ......it is a route to be savoured and respected simply for the terrain, if nothing else.

PS. I would drive it in someone else's 4 wheel vehicle :biggrin:

I will keep that advice in mind, and 'IF' I get down there this season I will try it without the trailer. That is, unless I find someone else to travel the road with that could help if I get jammed up!

I do want to push the limits a bit with the trailer, I have a few tricks for self recovery that I need to try in a real world setting. I will need it if I am going to haul your stuff to the coast south of Agua Verde next winter!

MulegeAL - 12-7-2015 at 09:52 PM

Agua V camino is a good road compared to San Raymundo arroyo!

willyAirstream - 12-8-2015 at 01:32 AM

I am always up for a ride. I will follow you and pick up the pieces from the trailer. A normal camp trailer will be a problem, while an overland type trailer might do ok. JB and friends are in SJ, but haven't said which way they went.

AKgringo - 12-8-2015 at 08:35 AM

I should not have called it a camp trailer, it is a 4' x 6' utility trailer that I haul some of my camping gear, gas and other stuff in. It has better clearance than the tow vehicle, and a heavy duty frame and axle.

BajaBlanca - 12-8-2015 at 09:59 AM

I don't care what vehicle you take - you are very courageous to do this bit. Les and I did it in our go anywhere and climb anything Geo Tracker and I really thought we were goners.

What a rough road and how desolate.

AKgringo - 12-8-2015 at 10:50 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca

I don't care what vehicle you take - you are very courageous to do this bit. Les and I did it in our go anywhere and climb anything Geo Tracker and I really thought we were goners.

What a rough road and how desolate.

Blanca, good to know you made it in a Geo. My Kia is very similar, with a slightly larger engine.

Rough and desolate is what I look for, if I barely make it through with no serious damage, it is a good road!

Last year I drove about 700 miles of back road, and off road, and the 40 or 50 miles of washboard north of your place was the only stretch I wish I had avoided. I don't know how often they grade it, but on that day, it was a 4 or 40 road (mph)

I will check for updates if I decide to drive down from B.A. to check out your place.

StuckSucks - 12-8-2015 at 02:52 PM

Here's a map I made of the road on Google Maps.

BigBearRider - 12-8-2015 at 03:22 PM

Excellent map. Thanks. That is what I thought the leg looked like, looking at my wall map and the Almanac.

Blue=pavement? Right? Right?

motoged - 12-8-2015 at 04:00 PM

AK,
Go for it with the trailer..... the vehicle issues I have witnessed on that road are:

Flats w/ no spare
Totally destroyed ball point/ swing arm
Stuck in sand

The local ranchers do it all the time in various pickups, so it is travelled.....it's pretty much an issue of "How much adventure/risk do you want".

Some folks freak out when they see some sections....others just downshift, grin and raise their elbows a bit....

I will work on arranging a trip next December/early January (year from now) with DTBushpilot in his FJ so I can be the navigator drinking beer telling him what to do....I sure he will be all over that :biggrin:

Quote: Originally posted by dtbushpilot

PS, I have one, let's try it, if it gets too rough we can go back and get the bikes :bounce:

Gulliver - 12-8-2015 at 04:22 PM

Blue is NOT pavement!! As noted previously, there is a mile or so of pavement leaving Mulege, one paved driveway over near San Juanico and one 200 meter 'paved' climb about 20 miles out of Mulege as you are climbing the gorge.

All else is a mixture of nice relatively smooth straight roads graded out through the desert (the first 15 miles just to suck you in), a lot of 'dry' washes with loose round rocks, rat trap canyon bottoms where the road cuts back and forth across the wash, more easy stuff and then miles of following the wash to the Pacific with wash crossing after wash crossing.

As noted, the locals navigate this with junky old 2WD pickups. I know practically nothing about four wheel navigation but my feeling is that ground clearance and patience will help. Go fast; bust something. I average 25 mph on my motorcycle but I have a foot of suspension travel, I'm only four inches wide on the ground and I've been riding like a fool since I was 15 years old. 57 years of it. Selah.

If I every get over the crud I will post a more detailed account with pictures, mileages and GPS locations. Until then, I am staying within striking distance of the bano.

David K - 12-8-2015 at 04:28 PM

Hope you feel better soon, Gulliver!

StuckSucks - 12-8-2015 at 04:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BigBearRider

Blue=pavement? Right? Right?

That is correct. There's a Starbucks and McDonald's at all the rest stops.

BigBearRider - 12-8-2015 at 04:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Gulliver

Blue is NOT pavement!! As noted previously, there is a mile or so of pavement leaving Mulege, one paved driveway over near San Juanico and one 200 meter 'paved' climb about 20 miles out of Mulege as you are climbing the gorge.

All else is a mixture of nice relatively smooth straight roads graded out through the desert (the first 15 miles just to suck you in), a lot of 'dry' washes with loose round rocks, rat trap canyon bottoms where the road cuts back and forth across the wash, more easy stuff and then miles of following the wash to the Pacific with wash crossing after wash crossing.

As noted, the locals navigate this with junky old 2WD pickups. I know practically nothing about four wheel navigation but my feeling is that ground clearance and patience will help. Go fast; bust something. I average 25 mph on my motorcycle but I have a foot of suspension travel, I'm only four inches wide on the ground and I've been riding like a fool since I was 15 years old. 57 years of it. Selah.

If I every get over the crud I will post a more detailed account with pictures, mileages and GPS locations. Until then, I am staying within striking distance of the bano.

I was totally kidding. I now know it's not pavement. I should have added some crazy smiley faces when I made the joke.

willyAirstream - 12-9-2015 at 09:22 AM

You guys might be interested in an upcoming trip.... Mulege , highway south to km61, then La Purisimo, Comundo, SJ, Loreto, then return via the highway. Overnight in Comundo. We are waiting for a road report about Comundo as it has been closed since July. Motos, quads, 4x4s, bugs and buggies, everyone is welcome. Thinking about sometime in January. Travel as a group, stopping often to let the 4x4s catch up

. Last trip we had 30 people and it was a blast.

Gulliver - 12-9-2015 at 10:07 AM

If I ever get over this flu (as it turns out to be) and do my road report on Raymond Canyon, I want to look into the route Southwest over the hills from Mulege to San Isidro.

It has been done fairly recently https://vimeo.com/146502907 but I have no further info. It will likely be an overnighter as I don't hurry on unknown goat tracks.

I've traced it out on photos but rubber on the rocks is a lot different.

Right now you could shine a flashlight through me but I'm getting better.

MulegeAL - 12-9-2015 at 10:35 AM

willeyA and I did that 2 seasons ago. After that I'm surprised he'd go anywhere else with me! Ask him about it.

I rode it south to top of the second pass last April. The pasos were really really rough with large loose rocks and severely eroded roadbed as soon as I began climbing, worse than the year before when willy and I did it S to N. Odile really did a number on this camino, es muy mal.

The local rancheros are parking at the bottom and riding up now, they used to 4WD into a high mesa and ride out from there, but no more. Great guys, we had lunch at the corrall in the shade and yukked it up like guys anywhere in the back country.

Get well and go try the climb to the top of the first pass for a day trip. If you like that you may be crazy enough for the whole thing! Not sure I'd do it solo anymore, it is really rough and tough on equipment.

But I figure you and me are loco enough to do it! I'd recc S to N, leave SJ, gas in La Purisma then N through El Hondo. That way more of the bad track is down vs. up and sun to your back.

[Edited on 12-9-2015 by MulegeAL]

willyAirstream - 12-9-2015 at 11:22 AM

If you think you are sick now, try that route and you`ll need to change your pants every mile.

Al did. Seriously, it is not a route to do solo.
Rumor is the N and S entry roads to cactus canyon are just plain gone.

BigBearRider - 12-9-2015 at 11:32 AM

Quote: Originally posted by StuckSucks

Quote: Originally posted by BigBearRider

Blue=pavement? Right? Right?

That is correct. There's a Starbucks and McDonald's at all the rest stops.

I can do without those. A few taco stands and some birria would be nice though.

AKgringo - 12-9-2015 at 11:38 AM

A January road trip may work out for me, if I can get my ducks in a row. Right now, I am short a few ducks.

I don't usually leave the mountains during the prime part of ski season, but a quick trip SOB would be better than no trip!

If I get it together, I will sound off here, because I think I have used up most of my good luck traveling trails like these alone. Deep water concerns me, because Kia decided that the electronic control module could serve as a foot rest for the passenger side. I haven't flooded it yet, but I sure would like a tow if I do!

Gulliver - 12-9-2015 at 12:39 PM

My 350cc bike is geared low and pretty tough but I think towing a KIA anywhere but on a level paved surface would not be in the books.

As the preacher in Blazing Saddles said, "You're on your own!"

Willy. Where is Cactus Canyon??

KurtG - 12-9-2015 at 12:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willyAirstream

If you think you are sick now, try that route and you`ll need to change your pants every mile.

Al did. Seriously, it is not a route to do solo.
Rumor is the N and S entry roads to cactus canyon are just plain gone.

The following is our trip report for that route in March 2012. It was spectacular but as I describe this was a successful trip after failing to get through there several times over a 15 year span. As described we went south to north starting in San Isidro.

Trip Report/road log San Isidro-Mulege Mountain Route 3/22/2012

For reference our vehicle is a 2000 Explorer stock Bauer Ed. with 255/70/16 Michelin street tires run at about 22#.
The report is a mileage log and includes GPS data and elevation for key points. The log is as accurate as Garmin and Ford's odometer could provide.
Mile Zero is starting North from San Isidro at 26.12.866x112.01.577.
Excellent road to Purisima Vieja at mile 12.3 then to Paso Hondo at mile 15.4. Both are oasis villages with some great scenery.
Mile 17.8-Springs and ponds on left.
Mile 18.3-Small village.
Mile 21.2-water crossing/palms and on to Buenos Aires at mile 25.9.
Mile 29.1-Agua Grande
Mile 32.2. 26.32.962x112.06.834. Elev.2100. Sign: El Llano straight, Guajadami to the right. Go straight.
From here the road is steep and rocky with a lot of erosion. Low range used to the top of high plateau at Mile 36.7. Elev. 3350 at 26.35.899x112.07.222.
Mile 37. Incredible views of deep gorge on right. Continue to climb to:
Mile 39.1. 26.37.146x112.06.743. Elev. 3765. High point overlooking the broad expanse of El Llano below. This is where the road ended when I attempted this route some 15 years ago. The descending cuesta was the most difficult of the entire trip. Steep, sometimes narrow and off camber and rough eroded rock with lots of loose stuff. This is an area to use extreme caution. We crept down in low range, 1st gear to arrive in the flats of El Llano at:
Mile 40.6. 26.37.786x112.07.153. Elev. 2616. At this point we met a rancher with a Ford F350 4wd and a cattle rack who had 3-4 cattle loaded. We told him we were going to Mulege and he said he was as well. That gave us a better feeling about actually completing the trip since I didn’t feel we could climb back up that previous cuesta or at least really didn’t want to attempt it. He confirmed that that plateau is El Llano. As we started up the next grade we saw him starting behind us. A rough ride for those cows! The road continues up and down a bit before a gate at the top of the final cuesta at:
Mile 43.1. 26.39.029x112.08.07. Elev. 3429. Now down the cuesta, steep and rough but not nearly as bad as the earlier one. There has been traffic up and down this area since we were on it and turned back a few months ago. I think we could now go up this one ok.
Mile 46.2. 26.40.320x112.07.130. elev. 1346. This position is right by the ranch at the bottom of the cuesta. Rancho El Llanito. It is relatively new. This is the important coordinate for anyone doing this trip north to south since it is not shown on the maps and in my experience the Baja Atlas and other maps are only an approximation of the roads in this area. From this point you are on the road that goes straight to Mulege. There are occasional roads that come in from both side notably at Mile 50.8 which has a sign pointing back to Rcho El Llanito. I believe the other fork here leads to the area of El Potrero and El Batiqui and Pia de la Cuesta Guajadami. I have motorcycled in that area but not since the hurricanes changed some of the roads a few years ago. Note that I have not called this the Guajadami Road since it splits off from the old mission route and is generally to the west of it. Continue straight into Mulege arriving at Hwy 1 (icehouse road junction) at MILE 67.3. This trip took about 6 hours so an average speed of about 10 mph. Thanks to Mulegena for the trip report on Baja Nomads that inspired us to do this trip. The scenery was wonderful although I would still rank the San Juan de la Pila road as the slightly more spectacular but I am really splitting hairs on that call. Do them both and tell me what you think!
Kurt and Kathy, March 22, 2012

TMW - 12-9-2015 at 01:04 PM

We did the trail in May of 2012 at that time I didn't think the road was that bad. We were going to do it in April of 2013 and April of 2014 but were told both times it was not open due to the rains. I think it is a great run with beautiful scenery.

Here are some pictures from the trip.

Leaving San Isidro

Purisima Vieja

The rock wall at Purisima Vieja

Checking road conditions

Places along the way

That rocky road

The old road was washed out

Up the mountain we go

We are going down there somewhere

The road below

Aaahhh the switchbacks

Don't look too bad

A Rancho in nowhere land

Getting close to Mulege

[Edited on 12-9-2015 by TMW]

KurtG - 12-9-2015 at 01:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW

We did the trail in May of 2012 at that time I didn't think the road was that bad. We were going to do it in April of 2013 and April of 2014 but were told both times it was not open due to the rains. I think it is a great run with beautiful scenery.

I agree that it wasn't that bad at that time but didn't want to make it sound too easy for those who might not be experienced in the back country. Our Explorer is far from a heavy-duty 4wd especially with no off-road oriented tires. Nonetheless driven with caution it has carried us down some pretty rough roads, as did my little s10 Blazer before it. It will never see Mission Santa Maria however!

willyAirstream - 12-9-2015 at 02:34 PM

Here is a few pics from Feb. 2014 ,lil Al and I, more on FB

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=72247#pid8855...

MulegeAL - 12-9-2015 at 06:04 PM

Willy, stop that! Yer hurt'in me! Just finished raking .25 acre of wet leaves, WTF am I doing here!

20+ months after we did it is long enough to forget the bad and remember all the good... gotta go do that again while I can still kick start a bike.

And I'm sure there will be more crazy stories to tell camped on the beach at San Juanico, hoy!

TMW - 12-9-2015 at 08:27 PM

If someone is putting together a ride down or up that road I'm in just give me the date and where to meet.