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HeyMulegeScott - 10-17-2019 at 02:39 PM

We are headed back to Mulege next month in our 36ft RV towing our Jeep. I kind of hate going through Ensenada but don't want to do Highway 5. Maybe next year.

We haven't been to Bahia de Los Angeles yet and definitely want to check it out. Does anyone know if La Gringa is accessible for an RV? iOverlander seems to say yes - http://app.ioverlander.com/places/203-la-gringa

Tioloco - 10-17-2019 at 02:51 PM

Easily accessible by RV

HeyMulegeScott - 10-17-2019 at 03:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco  
Easily accessible by RV


Thanks Tioloco. Nice spot?

David K - 10-17-2019 at 03:22 PM

Do you really want that cross-city Ensenada nightmare and all those farm towns with slow traffic over a few dirt detours? There is only about 6 miles unpaved now, south of Gonzaga. I would rather dive slowly in the open desert than on crowded streets! Whatever you do, have a great trip!!!

Tioloco - 10-17-2019 at 03:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  
Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco  
Easily accessible by RV


Thanks Tioloco. Nice spot?



It is a nice relaxing little town. Amazing views!

David K - 10-17-2019 at 03:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  
Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco  
Easily accessible by RV


Thanks Tioloco. Nice spot?


La Gringa is popular with people who tow small boats down as they are easy to launch there over the gravel. There is also a white sand beach nearby (before the gravel berm begins that people usually park on).
There is no town there and it is a mile beyond the end of the pavement! The town is 7 miles away.

Look on Google Earth to see how it is laid out... https://earth.google.com/web/@29.03726513,-113.54235293,-0.7...

[Edited on 10-17-2019 by David K]

HeyMulegeScott - 10-17-2019 at 05:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  
Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco  
Easily accessible by RV


Thanks Tioloco. Nice spot?


La Gringa is popular with people who tow small boats down as they are easy to launch there over the gravel. There is also a white sand beach nearby (before the gravel berm begins that people usually park on).
There is no town there and it is a mile beyond the end of the pavement! The town is 7 miles away.

Look on Google Earth to see how it is laid out... https://earth.google.com/web/@29.03726513,-113.54235293,-0.7...

[Edited on 10-17-2019 by David K]


Thanks, David. Maybe we will stay at Daggett's first and check it out?

mtgoat666 - 10-17-2019 at 05:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Do you really want that cross-city Ensenada nightmare and all those farm towns with slow traffic over a few dirt detours? There is only about 6 miles unpaved now, south of Gonzaga. I would rather dive slowly in the open desert than on crowded streets! Whatever you do, have a great trip!!!


I prefer hwy 1.
I dont think ensenada traffic is a “nightmare”. Ensenada drive is fun, i always spot a new store or restaurant to try.
San q traffic is not bad, it is a brief delay.
The scenery on 1 is better than 5
The weather is cooler on 1.
Best of all, the 1 route has catavina.

Alm - 10-17-2019 at 06:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  
Maybe we will stay at Daggett's first and check it out?

Yes. $7 per person won't break your bank.

The town of BOLA is a dusty town that is nothing special in itself. It's surrounding waters that make it attractive - if you bring a boat or a kayak.

The town is hugging the coast for 20 miles or more but all stores, services, fresh water etc are in a 3-mile stretch of downtown.

With 36ft rig your best bet is Daggets. Otherwise I would stay in Archelon.

Ensenada is not a nightmare. Just be there in daytime so that you won't miss 1) left fork to Ensenada vs right fork to the port, and then 2) in downtown - left turn to Hwy 1 and then after a few blocks - right turn to Hwy 1 again. It is a regular street at that point, and does NOT look like a highway. There is a sign, but you know Mexican signs... Until you get to step 2, just follow signs to Zona Turista or El Centro.

No worries, it's not as bad as it sounds. You'll be on a paved road all the time and will enjoy nice desert scenery.

[Edited on 10-18-2019 by Alm]

JZ - 10-17-2019 at 06:17 PM

I vote for Hwy 5. Less stressful. A lot less traffic. A lot less stop and go. Avoids the most curvy / mountainous parts of Hwy 1.

Bahia de Los Angeles is awesome. Lots of places down there for an RV. I'd go somewhere easy first. Drive around in the jeep until you find your favorite spot(s).

David K - 10-17-2019 at 06:37 PM

If you are in a motorhome towing a Jeep, ANY city traffic can be a nightmare. Ensenada has grown a lot and the main street is full of big holes driving to Maneadero ( 8 mos. ago). The view of the Enchanted Islands sure beats a lot of other highway views in Baja. Just want you to have the best time.

JZ - 10-17-2019 at 07:37 PM

How long are you going to be in BoLA? We can help you map out some good day excursions in the Jeep.

Here is one. Out to Bahia Las Animas. About 37 miles from town. Easy drive, very nice bay.



HeyMulegeScott - 10-17-2019 at 08:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
How long are you going to be in BoLA? We can help you map out some good day excursions in the Jeep.

Here is one. Out to Bahia Las Animas. About 37 miles from town. Easy drive, very nice bay.





That looks interesting. We are pretty flexible in our plans maybe a week or so depending on how we like it and the weather. Thanks for the ideas.

JZ - 10-17-2019 at 08:42 PM

Here is another. Part of the Window Rock trail. Go back out the hwy about 14 miles, then cut up through the lake bed about 15 miles. Turn towards the Sea of Cortez - 10 miles to the West. A really nice beach, bay up there. Easy drive in a jeep.

You can't go East out to MX 1 (single track) or South down from the bay, need to have a bike and be a good rider. Great 80 mile r/t day excursion. 50-60 miles of it are super easy, fast running.



Lee - 10-17-2019 at 09:55 PM

Don't let anyone scare you off 1 through Ensenada. Understand how it would seem like a nightmare to tourists. The rest of us know the drive is fine. Stop/go, heavy traffic usually around rush hour.

I go N/S early Sundays. Just not a problem.

Never taken 5 and probably never will. I like to stay and eat at Jardines.

I've driven 1 in an RV many times. No big deal.

JZ - 10-17-2019 at 10:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee  
Don't let anyone scare you off 1 through Ensenada. Understand how it would seem like a nightmare to tourists. The rest of us know the drive is fine. Stop/go, heavy traffic usually around rush hour.

I go N/S early Sundays. Just not a problem.

Never taken 5 and probably never will. I like to stay and eat at Jardines.

I've driven 1 in an RV many times. No big deal.


He's a tourist bud. We do 1/4 MX 1 and 3/4's MX 5. Anyone denying that MX 5 isn't a good bit easier is lying.

Plus, you feel like your are in Baja sooner as well. Down MX 1, Baja doesn't start to me until you hit San Quintin. Just a bunch of chit-kicker towns until then.

On MX 5, Baja begins the minute you get outside of Mexicali.




[Edited on 10-18-2019 by JZ]

David K - 10-18-2019 at 08:12 AM

If one never drives the 5, how can you know it isn't the nicer, calmer, way south? Yes, the highway is not finished, but if a graded dirt road is a problem then Baja California is probably not a good travel choice. The road to Jardines (a good restaurant) is not paved!

Go down the 5 and come back north on the 1... then tell us which was more pleasant and experience.:light:

Pacifico - 10-18-2019 at 08:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  


Go down the 5 and come back north on the 1... then tell us which was more pleasant and experience.:light:


I just did exactly that... South on 5 and unfortunately HAD to go back on the 1 to bring a trailer of mine back north to a friend's place in Ensenada. The best part was dinner at Jardines!

HeyMulegeScott - 10-18-2019 at 09:05 AM

Thanks for the input. I've driven both the 1 and the 5. Two years ago we stayed in Gonzaga Bay and took the Jeep up to Catavina. It was definitely a no go for the RV. This was a recent report on Talk Baja Road Conditions that looks hopeful for the 5. Maybe we will come back that way in the spring -

"South of San Felipe, in the area signed as Zona de Vados, they are putting in culverts and leveling the road. As of early October, there was a 10-mile stretch of road with about 10 detours starting about 30 miles south of San Felipe. This is only the beginning. From there until you get to Gonzaga Bay (south of Puertecitos) there are about 20 more detours. The farther south you get, the longer and rougher the detours get. They aren’t unmanageable, but I wouldn’t want to tow anything through there if I had an alternative. It appears they are making a lot of progress and this section should improve fairly soon.

From Gonzaga Bay to Hwy 1, the road is greatly improved. There’s still a 5-mile stretch of dirt/gravel with some steep hills that I would not recommend for towing unless you really know what you are doing. A few big rigs were using the road. The rest is paved, save for the last couple of miles of smooth-ish gravel road just before you get to Hwy 1."

Alm - 10-18-2019 at 09:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee  
Understand how it Stop/go, heavy traffic {in Ensenada} usually around rush hour.


I would say "only" around rush hour. With the trip (preferably) including one night btw the border and BOLA - somewhere at El Rosario or Catavina - you'll be in Ensenada in the morning well past 7.00am rush hour. Unless you live in South San Diego and cross the border at 6.00am - though there is not much sense leaving that early if you plan one night stay before BOLA.

The traffic you will encounter in San Quintin area all day long (much less traffic on Sundays, yes), but it is not stop-n-go city-like traffic. You're just going comfortably 30-35 mph along with the farm traffic. It actually helps having cars in front of you in SQ, because when they slow down from 30 to 3, you do the same, and then you see that it was a speed bump :)

TMW - 10-18-2019 at 11:03 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  
We are headed back to Mulege next month in our 36ft RV towing our Jeep. I kind of hate going through Ensenada but don't want to do Highway 5. Maybe next year.

We haven't been to Bahia de Los Angeles yet and definitely want to check it out. Does anyone know if La Gringa is accessible for an RV? iOverlander seems to say yes - http://app.ioverlander.com/places/203-la-gringa


We will be in LA Bay on Nov. 6 on our way south. Three trucks all Nomads my self, John M and El Comandante Loco along with a couple of friends. We will be doing the trail called the Green Door south of LA Bay. If you would like to join us on that trail in your Jeep you are welcome to do so. It comes out on the LA Bay road past Pancho's place so getting back to LA Bay is easy.

HeyMulegeScott - 10-18-2019 at 11:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  


We will be in LA Bay on Nov. 6 on our way south. Three trucks all Nomads my self, John M and El Comandante Loco along with a couple of friends. We will be doing the trail called the Green Door south of LA Bay. If you would like to join us on that trail in your Jeep you are welcome to do so. It comes out on the LA Bay road past Pancho's place so getting back to LA Bay is easy.


Thanks. Sounds fun. Probably won't be there until 19th or 20th.

Nikno - 10-18-2019 at 11:49 AM

Does anyone have a GPX track for the Green Door Trail?

JZ: Someone I chatted with on another forum claimed to have done La Gringa north to El Toro Copper Mine and then on to Bahia de Guadalupe in a highly modified Jeep. What are your thoughts on this? Possible or BS?

San Pedro road

PaulW - 10-18-2019 at 12:30 PM

aka Greendoor see
Coords on the road from LAB
Start 28 40.7633, 113 25.49066
End 29 27.76261, -113 12.6969

Attachment: SanPedro-Greendoor.gpx (15kB)
This file has been downloaded 226 times

Nikno - 10-18-2019 at 01:31 PM

Thank you, Paul! I will do that one next time I am down there.

Has anyone tried going the arroyo at. 28.65692, -113.43188 ?

It looks doable on single track but might be a challenge in a 4x4. Could be a fun little exploration.

PaulW - 10-18-2019 at 02:34 PM

Not seen discussion on that one.
Lots of comments on Arroyo San Pedro. Entrance at 28 28.393,-113 23.21. Next time I will drive that one.

David K - 10-18-2019 at 04:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Nikno  
Thank you, Paul! I will do that one next time I am down there.

Has anyone tried going the arroyo at. 28.65692, -113.43188 ?

It looks doable on single track but might be a challenge in a 4x4. Could be a fun little exploration.


That is Las Venecas...

I have some photos from that entrance. Papa Diaz built a dam up in there back in the 60s or 70s.
From my webpage on that time:

Five photos were taken from the canyon entrance near your waypoint:
http://www.vivabaja.com/van1/page8.html

GPS DIRECTIONS: L.A. BAY & SOUTH (WGS 84)
Hunfreville's Hut at Las Cuevitas: N29°03.30' W113°32.35'
Casa Diaz, Bahia de los Angeles: N28°56.77' W113°33.55'
Camp Gecko, south of town: N28°54.05' W113°31.73'
Las Flores (jail house): N28°49.10' W113°31.77'
Jcn. with old road south: N28°40.77' W113°25.45' ("Green Door")
Arroyo to Las Venecas: N28°39.40' W113°25.86'
Site of Paredones, Jesus' ranch: N28°36.81' W113°24.59'
Road ahead to La Bocana & San Pedro, turn sharp left (east): N28°28.40' W113°23.47'
We turn right, off road here: N28°28.01' W113°20.46'
Tinaja de Santa Maria: N28°26.09' W113°20.02'



Looking west, toward Las Venecas where Papa Diaz had a dam built.

[Edited on 10-18-2019 by David K]

JZ - 10-19-2019 at 07:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Nikno  


JZ: Someone I chatted with on another forum claimed to have done La Gringa north to El Toro Copper Mine and then on to Bahia de Guadalupe in a highly modified Jeep. What are your thoughts on this? Possible or BS?


I've taken the trail out to Bahia Guadalupe from the West, but haven't gone down South to BoLA yet.

I remember reading it was pretty tough on a bike. You can see the trail pretty easily on GE, so maybe it's possible in a Jeep.

It's my plan to ride it in the next few months. I'll report back.

Btw, the far West part of the beach at Guadalupe is very nice.


[Edited on 10-20-2019 by JZ]

PaulW - 2-3-2020 at 11:58 AM

Update for Green door
Forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=93991#pid1179078

David K - 2-3-2020 at 12:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Update for Green door
Forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=93991#pid1179078


Permit me to help: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=93991