Arthur - 2-17-2005 at 04:42 PM
We're going to fly into San Diego and rent a 4x4 Isuzu Trooper so we can get back into those canyons on the east side of San Pedro de Martir that
David K has written about. (My Prerunner's probably not up to it, and I've decided not to buy a 4x4 at this point)
Anyway, one of the questions that this brings up is about gas cans. We should have at least one 5-gal, seems to me. Since you can't take them on the
plane, I don't see any way of dealing with this than to buy a can or two and see if someone will bring them back up sometime. Or donate them to
someone down there. Any ideas? My daughter has a friend at SD State, so maybe I can work something there.
Similar problem with water containers -- I guess I'll take down a couple in our luggage and fill them down there. Where should I go to fill them up,
other than a gas station? Any ideas would be welcome. I lived in Ocean Beach for many years, but that was awhile ago.
We still haven't figured out about hauling everything we need onto the plane in duffel bags, but that can be dealt with. Any other ideas from someone
who's had to step off a plane into a 4x4 would be welcome.
BornFisher - 2-17-2005 at 10:46 PM
Seems to me if you think you will be needing 5 gal of gas, just buy a container for $15 and then leave it with your newest amigo. Water?? Never touch
the stuff, but just hit a 7/11 in San Diego, and buy as much as you need along with all other liquid refreshments you think you need. Good luck with
your trip-- sounds like you might be getting out to some beautiful country!!
$15 gas can?
Debra - 2-17-2005 at 11:40 PM
Are you shopping at Camping World? I bought one at Wal-Mart (5gal.) and I think I paid about $5. (no reason you can't fly with them as long as they
are empty.) They also sell water jugs that squsish to about nothing for a couple of dollars each....although, I don't think I would bother with that
on your trip, I would just buy bottled water in route.
I have stepped off planes, trains and automobiles on trips to Baja and carried 2 bags (duffles work best) one carries my camping gear.....the other
clothes (you are allowed 2 on your flight per person)
The thing you have to remember is that anything imported is expencive, so think in those terms and go from there......(things to bring from the
States, batteries, film, anything electronic, spices...hard, or impossible to find your favorites......
Do a search here, awhile back there was a thread on things to pack.....good reference to make your list from there.
Good luck, and have fun!
One important thing I forgot to mention, don' t forget a really good cooler!
[Edited on 2-18-2005 by Debra]
california
fishinrich - 2-18-2005 at 06:16 AM
Debra---Here in california only special gas cans are allowed to be sold. They have spouts on them that are susposed to restrict the fumes from
escaping into the air. Last year when I needed 10 new cans I had to drive to arizona to west marine and buy them there to avoid the rediculous spouts
on the california cans. fishin rich
bajaandy - 2-18-2005 at 08:25 AM
If it was me, I'd wait 'til I got to San Diego, go to the nearest Home Depot (or similar), buy the gas can and then go to a grocery store and buy the
2.5 gal bottled water jugs. I know it costs a bit more to buy bottled water, but you can smash down the container when you're done and recycle it when
you get back. And like BornFisher said, give the gas can away to a rancher or needy driver on the way back.
Just my .02 worth.
bajalou - 2-18-2005 at 08:36 AM
If you get a gas can in the US, remember that customs might have you empty it if you try to bring it into Mexico filled. Just find a Pemex after
crossing to fill it.
Bruce R Leech - 2-18-2005 at 08:41 AM
you can leave them with me .especially if they are full.
Arthur - 2-18-2005 at 09:10 AM
I was wondering where people were seeing these cheap gas cans, until fishinrich pointed out that they weren't from California. I just priced a 5-gal
can, and it was $50. But maybe I should buy one in Mexico. Hey!
And I don't know about solving my agua problems by buying a jillion of those 2.5-gal jugs. I love 'em, but our style up to now has been to have a few
of those eah for drinking water and a couple of big 4-gal heavy Canadian plastic ones for washing up and emergencies. I think you're supposed to plan
on using a gallon a person a day.
I guess if I could stop thinking about how it's drinking water in those disposable thngs, that would probably be the best way to go . . . if it's San
Diego water, it'll barely be drinkable anyway. Maybe I'll get a couple of those collapsable jugs, or buy containers at a water store in Rosarito Beach
or somewhere. According to the Moon Baja guide, there's a drinkable spring on the east side of the road on Mex hwy 3 near the 73K mark (heading
toward San Felipe). And I have a purifier.
Thanks for letting me think out loud about this, Nomads, and for all the thoughts. And if anyone's going to be up in those canyons around Agua
Caliente west of San Felipe in late March/early April, let me know.
Wow Rich,
Debra - 2-18-2005 at 09:30 AM
I had no idea about Ca. gas cans, the one I have does have the funnel thingy.....not the same as in Ca.?
Maybe I could make some Baja Bucks selling gas cans to the less fortunate down there? Just kidding....
surfer jim - 2-18-2005 at 09:58 AM
Forget the gallon a day stuff...it's winter and you will use a lot less...just get a case of bottled water...about $10 and go...gas?....if you are
just going into those canyons you will not need it...the mileage isn't that much...relax and enjoy trip...
wilderone - 2-18-2005 at 09:58 AM
Re water: buy 2-3 collapsible 3-gal. containers (at Target, Big 5 or Sports Chalet in the Midway/Rosecrans area), and fill them up at those filtered
water machines - $.15-.25 cents a gallon. They're outside many grocery stores. (If you know SD, then outside the Henry's, Big Lots and Ralph's in
the Midway/ Rosecrans area.) I think you could scale down use expectations too - it won't be that hot. I always take a backpacking water filter for
emergencies. If you see a small stream or tenaja, you can top off your containers pumping filtered water.
David K - 2-18-2005 at 10:09 AM
Arthur: You can get close to most places in 2WD, and just hike the difference... So, before you go through too much hassle, consider taking your 2WD
truck. In sand, just let the air out to 10 PSI to get unstuck or float over the stuff. Since I feel a bit responsible for all you're going through, I
just want it to be fun and exciting... not a big hassle or expense.
Just buy a flat of water bottles at Costco or a grocery store... We don't drink tap water in San Diego. Anyway, with sodas, beer, and juices, you
don't need that much water in Mexico. I have a square 5 gal. blue water bottle filled with tap water here in Oceanside I take and I never have used it
all, seldom even half of it... that is used for cleaning and cooking.
Debra: California, the land of fruits, nuts, and government stupidity has banned gas cans that work in favor of ventless, springloaded spouted cans
that only are to fill lawn mowers and don't work on cars (they cost about $15). I have one normal can and two stupid cans. If you seen me at Gecko,
you will recall I have one person hold a funnel while I pour gas out of the stupid can... as the spouts that come with them do not work on cars...
Plus, without a vent, they don't drain. You can still find some quick fill cans at motorcycle shops (not made for gas, ha ha) here in Calif.
Arthur - 2-18-2005 at 11:31 AM
Hey, David -- don't feel responsible. All you did was point us in what sounds like a good direction, and we'll take it from there. Being that we like
to do a lot of exploring, I think the 4wd just may be the way to go, though. We have had to turn back from some fine places where "just walking in"
isn't a real option, especially if you want to stay a few days.
And thanks, wilderone -- we'll head down to the Midway/Rosecrans area for those containers. Sure is built up from when we were cruising Oscar's and
scarfing up their fine burgers, though.
wilderone - 2-18-2005 at 11:53 AM
Ha!! Yes - Oscars. I had my senior prom dinner there because my date was late and we missed our reservations. There's a Rubios now in it's place
(among other stores in the mini-mall).
Cyndarouh - 2-18-2005 at 11:54 AM
Don't forget about a patch kit and spare tire for the flats if any.
burro bob - 2-18-2005 at 12:08 PM
Arthur
You can buy both gas and water cans here in San Felipe. A five gallon water jug is going to cost arouynd $5US and another 7 or 8 pesos to fill it with
reverse osmosis purified water . All the canyons in the Eastern escarpment of the Sierra San Pedro Martir have water. Right now with all the rain
there is a lot of water. You really only need a good filter.
I will echo David's coments about needing 4wd. Only a few canyons have any kind of road that goes up canyon. Canyon Cajon now has a road that goes
about a mile up it and it is 4wd, but only for the last mile. 2wd will get you to the mouths of most of the canyons. Once you see them you will
realize that the only way to explore them is on foot.
It is only 31 miles from the highway to the mouth of Canyon Cajon via Saltito road and Morelia road. You really won't need to carry extra gas except
for an emergency can.
burro bob
Arthur - 2-18-2005 at 01:11 PM
Hey, thanks for the details. What about Highway 3, before we'd turn south along the dry lake? Sounds like that's steep and sandy.
Neal Johns - 2-18-2005 at 01:37 PM
Hwy. 3 is paved and there are no hills on the way to the canyons. If you are going soon, the sand will be wet and hard. On the other hand, if you go
right now, you might find some mud on the "dry" lakes.
burro bob - 2-18-2005 at 02:12 PM
Arthur
Sorry I wasn't very specific about which highway. I am talking about highway 5 to San Felipe. The quickest route into valle chico is via Saltito
road. This is the main road into the El Dorado developments. In another thread Lou tells that the new road is ready just to south of Saltito but they
both end up in the same place. Eventually you go past Sierra Highlands a camping only El Dorado development. A frew miles further west you come to a
junction, most people call that Morelia junction. If you go to the right you end up by the dry lake and it is the way to go to get to Canyons
Diablito and Diablo and canyons further north. It is also possible to head south before you get to the dry lake. If you go left at the junction you
turn to the south. This is the way to get to canyon Cajon and canyons further south. When you go past the little white kilometer post at k 31 start
looking for another road heading west into the mountains. You will drive past a ranch on the west side of the valley and continuing on for a few more
miles, keep heading south, you get to Cajon.
You can also stay on Morelia road and it turns and heads west towards the mountains after 5 or 6 more miles. If you are going to Agua Caliente and
canyons south you want to stay on this main road. There is a road along the base of the mountains on the west side of the valley that you can use to
get to other canyons without having to go back across the valley. David has this area well maped on his web page.
Attached is a photo of "Rio Cajon" about a quarter mile past the canyon mouth from last weekend.
BajaNomad - 2-18-2005 at 02:24 PM
Another thing to mention about gas cans in California... is to purchase a "utility jug" made of polyethylene from some place like a motorcycle shop.
They run anywhere from $15-30. Although they are made to handle gasoline (or solvents) quite well, they aren't sold as such, especially since they
aren't red, and aren't CARB compliant.
I've got a couple of 5gal Scribner jugs that I've been using for years.
And I concur on the water... either fill up outside a grocery store (more like $.25-35 in my neck of the woods), or get a case - or more - of liter
bottles at costco (house brand is "kirkland signature").
David K - 2-18-2005 at 02:54 PM
Just to refresh the memory... A version of this map is at the end of the Exotic Canyons web page: http://vivabaja.com/404
tim40 - 2-18-2005 at 02:55 PM
Okay, all you almost having me believing I should be 'hocking' gas cans on the streets of Los Angeles. I too live in Ca and as recent as last month
purchased from Pep Boys a 5 gallon gas can with the new and 'improved' function and paid all of ~7 bucks for it.
Hey Tim......
Debra - 2-18-2005 at 05:22 PM
Stay off my corner! 
Bruce R Leech - 2-18-2005 at 05:46 PM
don't git over confident by renting a 4x4 that is not that important in my opinion. what you will be lacking are the really important stuff. lick
basic hand tools, shovel, pic, come along,first aid kit, spear parts, heavy duty jack, extra spear tire and tire tools and patch kit . and the list
gos on and on.
when i am in the back country I only use 4 wheel drive to git out once I'm stuck. once you get stuck in 4 wheel you are really stuck.
give me a well equipped 2 wheeler any day over a poorly outfitted 4x4.
Arthur - 2-18-2005 at 06:28 PM
You're right, Bruce. If I take my truck I'll have all of that stuff with me.
I appreciate the descriptions of access to the canons from San Felipe, Bob. For those who would like to follow along on a map, it looks like we're
talking about page 12 in the Baja Almanac, proceeding west onto page 11. The road west of the dry lake that parallels the mountains would be the West
Valley Road that David K refers to in his Exotic Desert Canyons piece from last year.
Good stuff , , , good stuff.