BajaNomad

Hugging the east coast in BCS

ggpotts - 11-5-2016 at 10:07 PM

The 'obvious' way to drive from La Paz to Loreto is up Highway 1. Is that a scenic drive? It's tempting to hug the east coast and take the smaller roads all the way there, but who knows how bad those roads are, and how much time that would add to the trip?

honda tom - 11-6-2016 at 10:10 AM

you can drive the scenic road along the SOC north about 70 miles from La Paz, to San Evaristo, then West back to Hwy 1. Points farther north (Los Dolores and Timbabichi) are in and out from west to east. Been planning on doing that road this winter.

AKgringo - 11-6-2016 at 10:47 AM

What are you driving? I have driven the route you are talking about in my 4x4, and would not want to do it in a sedan, or 2wd truck. The local residents do it, but he road is subect to storm damage, and is slow to get repaired.

Having said that, I look forward to driving it again! San Evaristo is a beautiful cove, and well worth a stop, but take what you think you will need. There is no road north of there, you will have to back track a couple of miles to find the road over the pass to the west.

If you were to do the trip as a loop returning to La Paz, it is a full day trip (my recommendation). If you are driving to Loreto, it will be a very long day!

ggpotts - 11-6-2016 at 06:24 PM

Oye, honda tom, what does SOC stand for? (Duh) South...Ocean...Coast?

Yes, San Evaristo looks like a worthwhile day trip.

But you're also saying I could cut west across to Hwy 1 from San Evaristo and then continue north to Loreto? Wow, my Google map (& iMap) shows nothing there!

AKgringo - 11-6-2016 at 06:42 PM

SOC, is Sea Of Cortez. As far as maps, all I had the first time through there was the AAA Baja map. At least one race has used that road since I was there, so there are probably some GPS tracks available if you look for them.

I have not heard any reports from that area since this years storms passed through, but the road was not passable just after Norbert and Odile in 2014, then repaired enough on race on in 2015.

If you take that road, you will remember it!

David K - 11-6-2016 at 07:02 PM

It is possible to see two Spanish mission sites along that route or near it, as well... La Pasion (Los Dolores Chilla) and San Luis Gonzaga.

AKgringo - 11-6-2016 at 09:12 PM

Another place to consider visiting is Agua Verde, just south of Loreto. It is a day trip from Loreto, or a few hours out of your way on the trip north from La Paz.

I understand that some of it near the highway 1 end has been paved now, but the drive down to the coast is spectacular in places! It is drivable in just about anything except low riders.

I was last there in March 2013, and the bugs were pretty bad in the village after sun down. They were probably not as bad at the beach camp near the bottom of the grade, but I did not camp there.

honda tom - 11-7-2016 at 08:47 AM

Potts. the road from San Evaristo West actually SW then W then NW Etc. will take you through San Luis Gonzaga, then meet Hwy 1 (at or about) Ciudad Constitucion.
AAA map shows the route. Baja Almanac also shows it. you can also find it by searching for "score baja sur 500 2015 maps" I did this and the map came up. Make sure its a score map.

[Edited on 11-7-2016 by honda tom]

honda tom - 11-7-2016 at 09:01 AM

Yes SOC = Sea of Cortez

StuckSucks - 11-7-2016 at 09:25 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
San Evaristo is a beautiful cove, and well worth a stop, but take what you think you will need.


For reference, here's a map of the Baja Sur 500. The road north to San Evaristo is between Race Mile 160 and Race Mile 220 on the race map.

ggpotts - 11-7-2016 at 06:15 PM

This is excellent info, vatos! Especially about accessing maps and the two Spanish mission sites. Ima check my spare tire and then vámonos!

Sea of Cortez...duh! (...and I tried so hard to figure it out)

Thanks again!

AKgringo - 11-7-2016 at 08:52 PM

gg, my information is old, but when I last drove that route, it was four hours from San Evaristo to Highway 1 about 120 miles south of Loreto. I have not seen any reports of the road conditions post hurricane Newton.

If the roads are in good shape, it will still double the hours of driving to Loreto. If the pass is not passable, you will lose most of the day doubling back almost to La Paz.

What are you driving? Unless the road is washed out, you won't need 4x4, but it will probably be rugged!

The road over the pass may be hard to spot in the arroyo tracks, but you will see the road looking south from the one heading to San Evaristo. I hope that doesn't confuse the issue?

StuckSucks - 11-21-2016 at 05:15 PM

Here's a photo sphere I took on the Los Barriles - Santa Teresa Road.

mcnut - 11-21-2016 at 06:52 PM

Thanks for the photo link SS!

I have failed at locating Santa Teresa Road. Where should I be looking. I am familiar with the Los Barriles > Punta Pescadero > Bahia de los Muertos route but can't find a reference for Santa Teresa.

Bruce

[Edited on 11-22-2016 by mcnut]

4x4abc - 11-22-2016 at 07:54 AM

Los Barriles > Punta Pescadero > Bahia de los Muertos route is the same as Los Barriles - Santa Teresa (it is called so on Google Maps)