BajaNomad - Recommendations en route to San Juanico

Recommendations en route to San Juanico

TheEL - 7-18-2017 at 07:46 PM

Hi all,

First time poster, long time lurker.

Have been down to Ensenada area numerous times but we are taking a trip down to San Juanico in the next couple of weeks and was just looking for recommendations for things to do/see, places to camp, food to eat, etc... on the way down.

Leaving from LA. Not in a rush to get down there. More prone to the coastal roads. Have an AWD van with clearance so not shy of some dirt roads either.

Thanks in advanced. Love all the info here.

Ateo - 7-19-2017 at 07:15 AM

Like the name TheEl.

I'm headed that way in a few days myself.

If you like forests, I highly recommend the San Pedro Martir area. There is an observatory at 9,000' and views to San Felipe. And California Condors.

On the coast, fun camping at Punta Cabras north of Erendira.

On the way to San Juanico, there's always Punta Abreojos area for surf and exploring.

Message me for more if you have questions.

Have fun.

[Edited on 7-19-2017 by Ateo]

David K - 7-19-2017 at 07:27 AM

The old Spanish California missions can entertain and enlighten you as you follow El Camino Real back to where California began, at Loreto.

Indian rock art sites, old mines, beautiful beaches, and the palm filled oasis sites add to make Baja the most interesting peninsula on earth!

See the Trip Reports and Road Conditions forums here on Nomad along with my site, www.vivabaja.com for travel details. Click the link to my BajaBound.com travel adventure articles, as well.

NORTH to SOUTH:
Right next to, or within 5 miles of Highway 1: San Miguel, Santo Tomás, San Vicente, Santo Domingo, El Rosario (2 sites), San Ignacio, Mulegé, Loreto, Ligüí (no ruins), La Paz (no ruins), Santiago (modern church), San José del Cabo (modern church).

[Edited on 7-19-2017 by David K]

BajaGeoff - 7-20-2017 at 02:18 PM

Another fun and relatively easy side trip off the highway is to go visit the cave paintings at mesa el Carmen. Article, photos and info is here:

https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajatravel/painted_...

brewer - 7-20-2017 at 03:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGeoff

Another fun and relatively easy side trip off the highway is to go visit the cave paintings at mesa el Carmen. Article, photos and info is here:

https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajatravel/painted_...

Very cool, thanks for that.

David K - 7-20-2017 at 04:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by brewer

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGeoff

Very cool, thanks for that.

Please enjoy a look at my other Baja articles published by Baja Bound: https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajatravel/

TheEL - 7-21-2017 at 06:29 PM

Wowzers. Thanks for all the info!

Ateo, definitely going to check out Punta Cabras. Looks like a great stopping point. Had Punta Abrejos on the list, heard good things already.

Would love to check out the painted caves. Seems like a place where you can actually "feel" the history there.

Couple more questions for everyone.

Whats gas availability like right now? Will have an extra 10 gallons with me but still... Also, do most of them only take pesos?

Whats the best way to get current info on the north road to San Juanico? Seems like talking to people in San Ignacio would get you the most up to date info?

[Edited on 7-22-2017 by TheEL]

TMW - 7-21-2017 at 07:46 PM

There is no problems with gas. The area from El Rosario to Jesus Maria north of Guerrero Negro there are no gas stations but there are people selling gas out of barrels at Catavina and the LA Bay turn off. If you fill up at El Rosario you'll be OK.

Gas stations will take dollars and usually have a conversion sign posted. Best to use pesos as that is what is on the pump so no need to convert. When converting sometimes numbers get mixed up, if you know what I mean.

The north road is not hard to follow. As you go out of San Ignacio it is paved for about 25+ miles then turns into a graded road. About 4.5 miles after the pavement ends there is a sign on the left side (maybe in the middle I forget) at the fork go left. Another 5 miles you will bear left again at a curve. Another 1.5 miles you'll pass the trash dump on your left. Just over 3 miles from the trash dump the road splits, go right for the salt flats or left to high road but that gets a little complicated if you don't know where to go. Anyway go right to El Datil. Just stay on the most used road section as there are many. They all go to the same place you just don't want to go thru any water. I repeat "STAY OUT OF THE MUD AND WATER" unless you have a lot of time to stay there.

In El Datil go thru to almost the end of town and turn left and it will take you to more salt flats. You'll see the road, Stay on the most used road and it will take you to some sand sections and by a white rock mountain on your right, that is volcanic ash by the way. The road will turn into a graded road and will dead end at the graded road to San Juanico.

I can do some Google Earth images with GPS readings if you want them.

[Edited on 7-22-2017 by TMW]

honda tom - 7-21-2017 at 08:21 PM

north road is good. read tmw's directions and compare them to a google earth image. remember to always head to el datil, youll be fine. a fun side is to head out to the pacific at santa rosalita (hour south of bay of la turnoff) hit the pacific and turn south for 20+or- miles of pacific. this route meets back with hwy 1, see google earth.
have fun

BigWooo - 7-22-2017 at 05:33 AM

Although I haven't personally traveled the N. Road in a very long time, talking to new arrivals I'm told the washboard and exposed rock is as bad as it gets. Especially on the middle road and from Las Ballenas to San Juanico.
Going is slow. Super high tides are affecting the salt flats.

Ateo - 7-22-2017 at 06:24 AM

Depending on when you're leaving, I can caravan in with you to Datil and Juanico.

mtgoat666 - 7-22-2017 at 06:58 AM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW

There is no problems with gas. The area from El Rosario to Jesus Maria north of Guerrero Negro there are no gas stations but there are people selling gas out of barrels at Catavina and the LA Bay turn off. If you fill up at El Rosario you'll be OK.

Gas stations will take dollars and usually have a conversion sign posted. Best to use pesos as that is what is on the pump so no need to convert. When converting sometimes numbers get mixed up, if you know what I mean.

The north road is not hard to follow. As you go out of San Ignacio it is paved for about 25+ miles then turns into a graded road. About 4.5 miles after the pavement ends there is a sign on the left side (maybe in the middle I forget) at the fork go left. Another 5 miles you will bear left again at a curve. Another 1.5 miles you'll pass the trash dump on your left. Just over 3 miles from the trash dump the road splits, go right for the salt flats or left to high road but that gets a little complicated if you don't know where to go. Anyway go right to El Datil. Just stay on the most used road section as there are many. They all go to the same place you just don't want to go thru any water. I repeat "STAY OUT OF THE MUD AND WATER" unless you have a lot of time to stay there.

In El Datil go thru to almost the end of town and turn left and it will take you to more salt flats. You'll see the road, Stay on the most used road and it will take you to some sand sections and by a white rock mountain on your right, that is volcanic ash by the way. The road will turn into a graded road and will dead end at the graded road to San Juanico.

I can do some Google Earth images with GPS readings if you want them.

[Edited on 7-22-2017 by TMW]

Ya, just stick to most-used road. Good luck figuring out which is most-used! :lol:

If a hurricane comes thru, don't plan on the mud drying out for a month or 3 :light:

woody with a view - 7-22-2017 at 01:43 PM

And most important of all - if you come to a sketchy place in the road just stand on the gas! Don't be a pussy!

AKgringo - 7-22-2017 at 02:06 PM

The first time I traveled that salt flat heading south, was in 2014 just before the Baja 1k, and apparently at a high tide cycle. A water crossing was unavoidable.

There was also a stiff onshore breeze, and drifting sand obscured the 'most traveled' route. I wound up following a track that was blazed by trophy trucks trying to find the way to El Datil.

I barely made it through where I crossed, but could not find a connection to the main road, so I backtracked to where I crossed. I spent the next couple of hours helping a local produce vendor get his loaded truck back up on dry ground, He was fooled, and that is a regular route for him!

[Edited on 7-22-2017 by AKgringo]

TheEL - 7-22-2017 at 09:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view

And most important of all - if you come to a sketchy place in the road just stand on the gas! Don't be a pussy!

I'll make you proud!

From the sound of it I am definitely open to getting GPS coordinates for any recently traveled paths along the north road. Im not too worried but Id feel like a fool to turn down a little help.

TheEL - 8-14-2017 at 05:17 PM

Got back last Sunday but got slammed with work immediately upon return. Finally have some time to breath.

The gps track provided worked gangbusters. We had to help a dude in his 2wd toyota sequoia out of a rut in the soft sand near the cactus forest. My AWD chevy van handled it all no problem. On the very last salt flat I took the wrong track and went through some deep mud/salt/silt/whatever you want to call it. I made it out fine, luckily. My friend in his subaru outback did not...

Took us the better part of 2 hours to dig him out. A truck full of locals stopped to help, then 2 more cars stopped to help. We got very lucky. Perhaps some good karma too from helping the other dude just a little while before. Lessons learned. ALWAYS take the edge of the salt flat it seems. Bringing binoculars next time to scope out every route.

Really fun trip. Scored some fun waves. The north road spooked my friend in the subaru out so we took the long way back home. Another lesson learned. Ill never camp on the east side in the middle of summer again. Im from Florida and that heat and humidity felt like a swift kick to the groin. Maybe Ive gotten soft but that was the worst Ive ever felt.

Cant wait to get back down there and explore some more...

StuckSucks - 8-14-2017 at 06:17 PM

Have any photos to share?

woody with a view - 8-14-2017 at 06:18 PM

Ha, you're getting soft! :biggrin:

TheEL - 8-14-2017 at 07:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by StuckSucks

Have any photos to share?

Heres a couple. Im not sure why they are posting so large...

PaulW - 8-14-2017 at 07:57 PM

Why is this thread overflowing my screen?
Do we still have a software issue?

Beagle - 8-14-2017 at 08:00 PM

Great Pics. Did the Subaru just get off the path on the flats or were they generally soggy all over? Sounds like you had some built up Karma to cash in. Yay for the locals!

Be safe

David K - 8-15-2017 at 08:06 AM

The photos are not sized to 800 pixels (or less), as that is the limit here without distorting. No worries, it is all in the learning curve. Just glad you are trying to share photos. The site host (Doug) may step in and size them to fit...

TheEL - 8-15-2017 at 08:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Beagle

Great Pics. Did the Subaru just get off the path on the flats or were they generally soggy all over? Sounds like you had some built up Karma to cash in. Yay for the locals!

Be safe

The subaru tried to follow in my tracks and got high centered. I was following some tracks that looked ok but I was wrong. I guess the rule of thumb is go around the edges of the salt flats. I think if I checked out the tracks with binoculars I would have went a different way. Kind of hard to tell out there.

David K - 8-15-2017 at 09:05 AM

After staying along the edge of the salt flats, the final one (south of El Datil) had me finally take the more used/ short-cut track...

There was no sign of mud/ water. Well, out of sight, and almost to the end of the flats, was a bog down (was it from the Subaru?)...

It was no problem, but added some sticky mud to the sides of my truck, after so many mud-free miles before that spot!

This was Wednesday, August 2.

San Ignacio-San Juanico-Las Barrancas

David K - 8-15-2017 at 10:50 AM

I made mileage notes on my glove box (torn) AAA map. If the numbers are hard to read or unclear from where to where, then here is the run down of the written in numbers:

San Ignacio Plaza-El Patrocinio road: 19.0 miles
El Patrocinio road-End of Pavement: 11.4 miles
End of Pavement-Village Bypass (signed San Jose de Garcia): 4.6 miles
Bypass fork (right branch)-La Laguna Village: 6.2 miles
La Laguna Village-Salina Road/High Road Fork: 5.9 miles
Fork to ex-Desalinization Plant/ Osprey Poles: 15.2 miles
Osprey Poles0-El Datil: 7.6 miles
El Datil-Ranch near road fork: 13.3 miles
Ranch-Junction with High Road: 6.8 miles
Junction-La Ballena: 5.1 miles
La Ballena-Cadeje: 6.3 miles
Cadeje-San Juanico: 8.5 miles
San Juanico-Las Barrancas: 30.2 miles

NOTE: I may have some editing yet to do, but believe the numbers are correct. Use them for general interest, I make no guarantee you will have the same readings.

TheEL - 8-15-2017 at 01:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

After staying along the edge of the salt flats, the final one (south of El Datil) had me finally take the more used/ short-cut track...

There was no sign of mud/ water. Well, out of sight, and almost to the end of the flats, was a bog down (was it from the Subaru?)...

It was no problem, but added some sticky mud to the sides of my truck, after so many mud-free miles before that spot!

This was Wednesday, August 2.

That wasnt us. Although we did get stuck on the final salt flat outside of El Datil, the subaru got stuck in the early part right down the middle. We traveled through there on the 27th of July.

We both drove to Insurgentes the next day for a power wash to get all that salt off of the undercarriage. The guy did a great job. If anyone ever needs it, its after the HWY 1 Loreto turnoff on the left. White and red building.

David K - 8-15-2017 at 02:26 PM

Car washes are critical, especially on the final day. U.S. Border officers can deny your vehicle entry if TOO MUCH 'MEXICO' (ie dirt/mud) is attached to your vehicle! LOL I guess they think organisms live in that salty mud?

I had mine washed Monday morning at my usual place in San Felipe (south of traffic circle a few blocks, east side of the street headed to airport/Puertecitos).
On Hwy. 1, in El Rosario, at Popeye's car wash, next to Pemex.