BajaNomad

Road Condition ??? San Javier to Comondu to La Purisima

TLBaja79 - 7-30-2018 at 04:13 PM

Does anybody know the condition of the road from San Javier to Comondu? and then on to La Purisima?

We will be coming from Loreto, 4x4 truck.

How long does it take from San Javier to Comondu? Distance?

How long from Comondu to La Purisima? Distance?

Not sure details of if we'll do a day trip there and back or possibly come back around through Insurgentes...

Anybody with info, much appreciated!

JZ - 7-30-2018 at 04:22 PM

We went in November. Very easy drive San Javier to Comondu. A couple easy grades. We were going to go on La Purisima, but it got late and we got drunk.

Loaded the bikes up on the truck and drove the pavement up to Scorpion Bay.



[Edited on 7-31-2018 by JZ]

JZ - 7-30-2018 at 04:26 PM

It's about 26 miles San Javier to Comondu and 18 miles Comondu to La Purisima.

I wouldn't do it in one day personally. There is a hotel in Comondu.






[Edited on 7-30-2018 by JZ]

TMW - 7-30-2018 at 05:02 PM

Take your time and enjoy the trip. Beautiful views along the way. North of the Comondu's is a lookout tower worth checking out and C. Pabellon also worth checking out if the road up is OK. There is a radio tower on top and a road that circles around the mountain going up. There are always a few rough spots along the way but that's Baja. There is a nice Motel in La Purisima near the church if you wish to stay there, $20-25 per night.

David K - 7-30-2018 at 06:13 PM

Drove it last year with lots of photos and details: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=85756

See trips #1-7 in the Nomad Trip Reports forum for other areas of interest... I drove 12,000 miles in Baja last year recording roads and taking photos, for a new road guide!

The San Javier to Comondú road has a steep up and a long steep down grade that was best done in 4WD low range, but the rest of the drive was 2WD easy. They worked the 4WD part after I drove it (Feb 2017) but the dozer wrecked... not sure if it was replaced... no Nomad reports.

Comondú to San Isidro (near La Purísima) was great and fast once you climbed out of the Comondú valley.

rts551 - 7-30-2018 at 07:12 PM

Always beware of old trip reports in this area. Summer storms can change it dramatically. The locals will know the conditions. And have a great trip...it is beautiful country.

bkbend - 7-30-2018 at 10:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Always beware of old trip reports in this area. Summer storms can change it dramatically. The locals will know the conditions. And have a great trip...it is beautiful country.


Yes, the section from La Purisima to Comondu had suffered some washouts between the time David drove it and I took it in April 2018. The flat sections were still OK but the ups and downs had significant erosion that had been filled in and roughly smoothed. The work had the look of a front-end loader type of repair, fill and backblade with the bucket. Easily passible but slow, it was about two hours with a couple stops. And there is a lookout tower along the way. If you are going to do this in the very near future, conditions probably haven't changed much. If you're going in six months, try to get an current update after the rainy season.

You can easily spend a couple hours wandering around both towns and spending the night on one or the other lets you soak in the sights, smells, and sounds. The motel in La Purisima is nice and the owner can provide kayak and possibly mt. bike tours. A trail leads to the river below the motel and they've built a nature/history trail that crosses the river on a rickety footbridge. A signboard at the start gives the details and it seems it was under two miles.

You can make a loop by heading south to Santo Domingo then cut back to the NE to Loreto via San Javier. Lots of neat ranchos along that road and watch out for goats. It was in better shape than the road I described above. It follows a river and parts had been washed out but the repairs were better.

[Edited on 7-31-2018 by bkbend]

David K - 7-31-2018 at 07:13 AM

Thank BK, my 2017 report and photos are more to provide an idea of the terrain and sites along the way.

A road can change overnight and though most everyone who uses them has only 2WD pickups, a 4WD will provide more security and comfort on ANY unpaved road... and you may never go out of 2WD.

They say it is better to HAVE IT and not need it than to NEED IT and not have it!

The first view nearing Comondú from San Javier/Loreto:



My map:



[Edited on 7-31-2018 by David K]

Marc - 8-1-2018 at 08:13 AM

Drove it last year in Tundra 4X4. No problem but I would check conditions before. Nice hotel in Comondu.

David K - 8-1-2018 at 09:52 AM

Thanks Marc...
The little boutique Inn in San Miguel Comondú is interesting indeed.

Hacienda Don Mario: https://www.facebook.com/Hacienda-Don-Mario-Hotel-8345537033...

Slightly off subject

Howard - 8-1-2018 at 10:08 AM

Does anyone know the elevation of Mission San Javier and the elevations along the road to San Jose Comondu and La Purisima?

Thanks

AKgringo - 8-1-2018 at 10:09 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Thanks Marc...
The little boutique Inn in San Miguel Comondú is interesting indeed.

Hacienda Don Mario: https://www.facebook.com/Hacienda-Don-Mario-Hotel-8345537033...


When Ged, Dave and I showed up there Nov 2016, there was no room at the inn! They did some running around and calling, and found room for us in the church annex.

For me and my large dog, that worked out better since she had an enclosed courtyard to run loose in!

David K - 8-1-2018 at 10:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
Does anyone know the elevation of Mission San Javier and the elevations along the road to San Jose Comondu and La Purisima?

Thanks


Go to Google Earth and put your mouse anywhere in the world and see the elevation and GPS location. I was just about to head out, otherwise, I would be happy to help if you don't use Google Earth much. I also have map tracks from last year and elevations from that, too.

Howard - 8-1-2018 at 10:24 AM

David, any information would be appreciated especially your map tracks showing elevations.

By the way, where are you heading out to that is more important than a Baja Nomad post? :biggrin:

David K - 8-1-2018 at 10:26 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
David, any information would be appreciated especially your map tracks showing elevations.

By the way, where are you heading out to that is more important than a Baja Nomad post? :biggrin:


Trying to make some money... Baja Nomad gets all my attention but doesn't pay the rent! LOL

David K - 8-1-2018 at 10:35 AM

San Javier: Elevation: 1,332.02 ft
Palo Chino: Elevation: 1,227.10 ft.
Top of mesa: Elevation: 2,219.13 ft.
El Horno: Elevation: 1,213.42 ft.
Mission San José de Comondú: Elevation: 928.48 ft
Midway to San Isidro/La Purísima: Elevation: 1,598.16 ft.
Mission La Purísima: Elevation: 311.68 ft.

Howard - 8-1-2018 at 10:41 AM

David, thank you. Is there a tin cup I can throw a few centavos in for your time? :))

David K - 8-1-2018 at 10:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
David, thank you. Is there a tin cup I can throw a few centavos in for your time? :))


Sure, do you have the book, 'Baja California Land of Missions'? If you order one from www.oldmissions.com it comes from me and I will sign and date your copy... free shipping, no sales tax. :light:

motoged - 8-1-2018 at 11:28 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Thanks Marc...
The little boutique Inn in San Miguel Comondú is interesting indeed.

Hacienda Don Mario: https://www.facebook.com/Hacienda-Don-Mario-Hotel-8345537033...


When Ged, Dave and I showed up there Nov 2016, there was no room at the inn! They did some running around and calling, and found room for us in the church annex.

For me and my large dog, that worked out better since she had an enclosed courtyard to run loose in!


Yep...no room at the inn....only fitting we slept in the church annex....the manger might have been better :biggrin:

We were hot and dirty after riding all day and waited over an hour to see if they could find accommodation as the hotel was full with reservations it was late afternoon....and the ride to La Purisma was a gamble as the motel there could have been full....

The rooms in the annex smelled AWFUL as the guy who prepped the place used some nuclear toxic chemistry to mop the floors....the beds were handmade cots and fairly comfortable....their strength was in their history and craftsmanship.

The bathroom facilities.: ...a water faucet outside in courtyard under the pomegranate tree and a 5 gallon pail....and soup pot from kitchen served as the shower head....and I loved it...
The other bathroom business was undertaken at the hotel before dinner....

Dinner was offered at the hotel and we chose the comida tipica... it was a chicken soup/stew and tortillas...again, I loved it....poor David looked at the meal with a wary eye and wouldn't eat it....I guess he didn't like soup with bones in it....and the less than 4 star ratings....but he has a story to tell his grandchildren...

We appreciated the efforts they put into offering us a place to eat and sleep....and it kept us in the mode of adventure.

We were not equipped to camp.....the downside to being gnarly hotel adventurers....but I have slept on the ground in my ride gear before without anything to eat....so Comondu served us well.

We found a guy who sold us gas and a store that sold us beer....sounds like it all worked out rather well :coolup:

tehag - 8-1-2018 at 08:44 PM

3 Weeks ago. 4wd maybe 10 minutes out of 3 hours.

David K - 8-2-2018 at 09:05 AM

Quote: Originally posted by tehag  
3 Weeks ago. 4wd maybe 10 minutes out of 3 hours.

This is the San Javier to Comondú road? Sounds about the same as when I was over it in Feb 2017. The climb up the mesa was easy with 4WD. Then, for brake control, the steep drop down the other side, before El Horno.

update Nov 20/21 2018

Gscott - 11-22-2018 at 08:13 AM

Near San Javier, at the turnoff to San Jose de Comondu, it is signed at 42 km. Took about 3.5 hours taking it easy and with a few stops for photos and comfort. There were some challenging spots on the uphill climbs and creek washouts, and just kinda rough in general, so slow going. The rental Hilux diesel with new 10 plies made tidy work of it all. No problems. I would suggest good clearance 4x4 w/low range and good tires and offroad driving aptitude as minimum requirements. (read: not in my 2" lift Subaru Outback)

Comondu to San Isidro is signed at 30 km. I think we did it in 1.5 hours, but were taking it easy and stopped to enjoy views (I am traveling with my 77 y.o. mother). It is freshly graded; a baja superhighway.

I talked with a guy from Alberta on a bicycle going the opposite direction. Solo. I guess I'm not such an adventurer after all.

motoged - 11-22-2018 at 08:25 AM

Million dollar question.....

Where did you rent...."rental Hilux diesel"

chuckie - 11-22-2018 at 08:27 AM

From the people who rent Hilux Diesels?

Gscott - 11-23-2018 at 09:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged  
Million dollar question.....

Where did you rent...."rental Hilux diesel"


Mex Rental Car in downtown Loreto has one with new 10 ply BFG ATs. She's a beaut! Way better than the Jeep Wrangler we had the first day and took to Aqua Verde.

[Edited on 11-23-2018 by Gscott]

Baja Divide

bikehermit - 12-10-2018 at 09:13 AM

There is a bicycle route called the Baja Divide https://bajadivide.com/ which includes those roads. There is an active group on the Facebook page where info on road conditions etc. might be found.