BajaNomad

Road conditions from San Felipe to Bahía Luis Gonzaga

roldanojr - 8-19-2019 at 09:11 AM

Did anyone travel from San Felipe to B L Gonzaga lately? we will travel on Sep 12th. And I want to know if they already repaired the road, last year they were building new bridges. Had 7 miles of rough road. I will appreciate any info about it.

4x4abc - 8-19-2019 at 09:16 AM

nothing has been repaired - don't go

David K - 8-19-2019 at 09:26 AM

Oh come on Harald, be nice!

roldanojr: Have a look at the Road Conditions forum here on Nomad. In brief, there is work going on, but mostly on the widening of Hwy. 5 for the 10 miles between Arroyo Matomí and Puertecitos. There are still 9 washed out bridges with good detours, south of Puertecitos. Only large motorhomes or trailers should avoid if they are squeamish. Semis are on that road daily.

This video of the drive from San Felipe to L.A. Bay was posted in early May 2019... from a motorhome/camper pulling a trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vabilyjjjs


[Edited on 8-19-2019 by David K]

norte - 8-19-2019 at 09:45 AM

There are some very up-to-date posts on Facebook pages...which many people here do not seem to like. Check them out if you are on Facebook.

David K - 8-19-2019 at 10:03 AM

Quote: Originally posted by norte  
There are some very up-to-date posts on Facebook pages...which many people here do not seem to like. Check them out if you are on Facebook.


Norte, maybe post links to where you are seeing recent updates?

I have a Baja Facebook group page and it is about the missions, historic places, and travel to them: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bajamissions/

There are other pages for San Felipe to Gonzaga Bay interested people:

San Felipe Chatter: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sanfelipechatter/
Baja South Campos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/203575838326/
Puertecitos Happenings: https://www.facebook.com/groups/400767196648940/
Friends of Gonzaga Bay: https://www.facebook.com/groups/480665265646984/

norte - 8-19-2019 at 10:13 AM

Every time I have in the past arguments ensue about facebook

but the Puertecitos Happenings page has a nice new report...another source is the Talk Baja Road Conditions page

Rossman - 8-19-2019 at 10:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Oh come on Harald, be nice!

roldanojr: Have a look at the Road Conditions forum here on Nomad. In brief, there is work going on, but mostly on the widening of Hwy. 5 for the 10 miles between Arroyo Matomí and Puertecitos. There are still 9 washed out bridges with good detours, south of Puertecitos. Only large motorhomes or trailers should avoid if they are squeamish. Semis are on that road daily.

This video of the drive from San Felipe to L.A. Bay was posted in early May 2019... from a motorhome/camper pulling a trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vabilyjjjs

That road has changed significantly since May and mostly for the worst. Drove it 3 times last month and the widening to the north of Puertocitos is about the same. To the north of that project the roadbed has deteriorated and potholes are deep and unavoidable. Further to the north they appear to be replacing all of the culverts and there are at least a dozen off pavement drive arounds in that stretch. Puertocitos to the south has not changed at all, although there is some repair work being done but still the same number of off road detours. The good news is that I had some friends take it last week and they are allowing more travel on the paved portion through the Coco' Corner stretch and they made it from the usual end of pavement to Chapala in 25 minutes. Short of pulling a trailer, the Chapala to San Felipe stretch is still the better option for me versus Mex 1 all the way north. Just slower than the March timeframe.


[Edited on 8-19-2019 by David K]

David K - 8-19-2019 at 10:39 AM

Quote:
[rquote=author=Rossman]

That road has changed significantly since May and mostly for the worst. Drove it 3 times last month and the widening to the north of Puertocitos is about the same. To the north of that project the roadbed has deteriorated and potholes are deep and unavoidable. Further to the north they appear to be replacing all of the culverts and there are at least a dozen off pavement drive arounds in that stretch. Puertocitos to the south has not changed at all, although there is some repair work being done but still the same number of off road detours. The good news is that I had some friends take it last week and they are allowing more travel on the paved portion through the Coco' Corner stretch and they made it from the usual end of pavement to Chapala in 25 minutes. Short of pulling a trailer, the Chapala to San Felipe stretch is still the better option for me versus Mex 1 all the way north. Just slower than the March timeframe.


Yes, thanks... and in my May post are newer replies... that is why I suggested the OP go to the correct forum on Nomad to read the latest. Often they are replies under another post rather than fresh, new posts.

This contribution you made here would be great as a fresh new post in that forum. Nice they are opening up more of the paved road south of Km. 167, I presume you are saying is where.

PUERTECITOS

roldanojr - 8-19-2019 at 10:46 AM

Thank you every one for those answers, We already booked at Rancho G couple cabins since April there is no way to cancel our trip. Just be patients schedule more drive time, that's it!

Great videos I will post mine as soon we return from B L G

thebajarunner - 8-19-2019 at 04:42 PM

I assume that the big semis from Pinos, etc are still running that road
If a loaded semi can make it seems like a common sense driver can easily make it.

****note to self "Common sense driver"???
Not in my genes, but you all can take your time and it is a piece of cake
My theory is...… The faster you go the less you feel the bumps....
works all of the time.

Yes, the big semis are using that road!

AKgringo - 8-19-2019 at 05:05 PM

And an oncoming semi can make some of the detours and rough spots soooo special!

wessongroup - 8-19-2019 at 06:54 PM

"Just be patients schedule more drive time, that's it! " ... totally

Thanks for the link ... had never seen "it" before, which year was "that" ?

The amount of water that was needed to cause those "wash outs" ... WOW

Looks like a fun drive ... just drive defensively and enjoy :):)

David K - 8-20-2019 at 07:27 AM

The flash flood that took out the 9 bridges was on October 1, 2018. The long detour between Matomí Wash and Cow Patty's/ Puertecitos was there already, before the rains as part of a road widening and changing dips to bridges.

Bajazly - 8-20-2019 at 05:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  

My theory is...… The faster you go the less you feel the bumps....
works all of the time.


As a pretty famous off-road racer who name escapes me right now once said “There aren’t any ditches at 90” talking about a particularly rough section of the course in that race.

David K - 8-20-2019 at 05:12 PM

Was it: Ivan Stewart, Walker Evans, Parnelli Jones, Mickey Thompson, Robby Gordon, Frank Vessels, Rick or Roger Mears? (I am dating myself) ...

[Edited on 8-21-2019 by David K]

Bajazly - 8-20-2019 at 11:11 PM

Could have been Curt Leduc. Sounds like something he would say.

David K - 8-21-2019 at 07:27 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajazly  
Could have been Curt Leduc. Sounds like something he would say.


Curt is pretty witty, said he likes to 'turn dirt into money' and such! It was a lot of fun to be his co-driver for 5 days last May!