Route advice Rosarito to El Arco

Hi all:

Looking for input on a planned route from Rosarito to El Arco. We will be riding dirt bikes from BOLA to San Ignacio. First part of the day will take us between Bola and Rosarito through San Borja (I've ridden this a few times) then on the route below to El Arco (never been on these roads and looking for advice on this section) and then south from El Arco on roads I've ridden before. The group will be solid intermediate riders on single cylinder plated dirt bikes. Here is my planned route. Thanks.



[Edited on 1-14-2018 by 1962siia]

I have not been on that road since 1966 when it was then the main transpeninsular road from Ensenada to La Paz.

El Arco is now a ghost town and abandoned army camp. There is only one cattle ranch active in the middle of the place for a population count. I was there a few months ago.

I am sure one of the other Nomads can add more... but as long as you have enough fuel to reach Vizcaino, it should be easy for you guys.

Here are some classic maps from 1962:





Now, with new roads drawn in:



The 2010 Auto Club map shows some of it:

The Pemex station is at Villa Jesus María, north side of town.
e92, using Mexican government maps, may have lots of names that nobody in Baja has ever heard of!

I am making very easy to use maps for my road log... showing just places mentioned in the log to keep it easy.

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

There is a business in El Arco that is set up to sell gasoline. Depending on when you get there, you may have to ask around to get someone to open up. When i used it, It didn't take long for me to get served, and the price was not abusive for the peace of mind of getting to San Ignacio without going dry!

When was this AK? At the cattle ranch in the middle?
I was surprised to see that the town did not exist anymore... all the old homes, church, everything (except that rancho) were empty/deserted. Summer 2017.

My photos at El Arco, June 2017:

















[Edited on 1-14-2018 by David K]

Quote: Originally posted by towntaco

I was in LA Bay on 12/28/17 and 12/29/17. Having ridden both the San Borja trail and to San Rafael recently I would suggest going south from Bahia de Los Angeles to San Rafael (stop at Poncho's) then San Francisquito and on to El Arco. The route turns sandy and pretty beat up from being used on the 1000 south of San Rafael but it isn't washed out and plated dirt bikes (thinking 450s) should make it a fun ride. You'll get more dirt and lots of time along the Sea of Cortez by going that way vs your planned route. The AAA map is pretty accurate in the area and there are plenty of GPS tracks for pin point accuracy. You should have ~150mi in fuel range for each bike. [Edited on 1-14-2018 by towntaco]

Quote: Originally posted by 1962siia

Quote: Originally posted by towntaco   I was in LA Bay on 12/28/17 and 12/29/17. Having ridden both the San Borja trail and to San Rafael recently I would suggest going south from Bahia de Los Angeles to San Rafael (stop at Poncho's) then San Francisquito and on to El Arco. The route turns sandy and pretty beat up from being used on the 1000 south of San Rafael but it isn't washed out and plated dirt bikes (thinking 450s) should make it a fun ride. You'll get more dirt and lots of time along the Sea of Cortez by going that way vs your planned route. The AAA map is pretty accurate in the area and there are plenty of GPS tracks for pin point accuracy. You should have ~150mi in fuel range for each bike. [Edited on 1-14-2018 by towntaco] Thanks for the reply. We’ve gone that route several times and it’s a blast no doubt. The group wants to try something different and we will hit that section on our last day when we return to bola. Thanks.

Your plan

Quote: Originally posted by 1962siia

OK thanks for all the info folks. Pretty sure I've got this route mapped out. In the end the plan is to take that eastern loop and check out El Marmolito and then head towards El Arco and come in from the north through El Canon and Pozo Aleman. From there we will head straight south to Vizcaino and on to San Ignacio. Woot!

Here's a couple.