BajaNomad

Los Naranjos road, Feb 15, get it while you can!

AKgringo - 2-16-2020 at 10:53 AM

This is the road I am talking about; (see David's post below this)

About half way through the pass, there is the Los Naranjos Ranch, but I never saw a sign on the highway, or note on my Oxxo road map (Elimaps) that calls it that!

A very enjoyable drive! I found the turn off north of the Los Cabos Airport, and drove from east, to west. As mentioned in a December post, the road has been worked on recently, and it appears that they are done!

The eastern half of the road, and the far western quarter of the road are good enough to drive anything on it! The steeper west slope has a few tight spots, one very recent rock fall, and a water crossing that has a fairly steep entry and exit for a vehicle with a lot of overhang!

It was a great drive, and I recommend that you drive it soon! I say that because the majority of the road has been re-surfaced with compacted dirt, that has not yet turned to dust or washboard. I doubt that this surface will hold up to a significant rain storm!

One hazard that I am not accustomed to on back roads, is that the conditions are good enough that the few oncoming bikes and trucks I encountered were hauling gass!



[Edited on 2-16-2020 by AKgringo]

chippy - 2-16-2020 at 12:38 PM

Hey AK how long did it take and what where you driving?

JZ - 2-16-2020 at 05:11 PM

Thanks AK. Any issues taking a full sized truck through there?

How were the views?

JZ - 2-16-2020 at 06:49 PM

We ride the bikes down a lot of roads where you can't see what's coming. I've told my kids a 100 times to slow down around the corners until you can see. Stay to the right.

We've really only had one pretty close call. It was in the truck. Some road NE of La Paz that leads out to the ocean. We went out there and it was a private community. Driving back, my kid was probably going a little too fast. A big Tahoe came right at us - also going too fast. Slammed on the breaks and all was good. Wasn't super close.

Friend and I got out. The road was really narrow. We helped my kid back up and get out of the way as best we could. The burrohat guns his truck and nearly hits my friend and yells out the window telling us to learn how to drive.

There were 5 of us and this one gringo clown does that sh|t? Thought hard about chasing him down.



[Edited on 2-17-2020 by JZ]

JZ - 2-16-2020 at 07:24 PM

Here is the Los Naranjos track kmz for anyone who wants to run it. We were going to do it in November, but it rained like a b@tch for 3 days and we had to pass.







Attachment: Area Around Cape.kmz (7kB)
This file has been downloaded 216 times

[Edited on 2-17-2020 by JZ]

mtgoat666 - 2-16-2020 at 07:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  

There were 5 of us and this one clown gringo does that sh|t. Thought hard about chasing him down


Jizzy the 5’6” tough guy!



pacificobob - 2-17-2020 at 11:14 AM

Just did this in a jeep thursday of last week. The road conditions were about the same as the other dozen times over the last dozen years. Most arroyo crossings had an inch or two of water. One difference was the green-ness of the desert after all the rains. Always a fun trip... even better on the motorbike.

AKgringo - 2-17-2020 at 12:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Thanks AK. Any issues taking a full sized truck through there?

How were the views?


Sorry for the slow response, I have been out checking a few more roads that are new to me.

The view were great! Your truck will have no problems, except for the recent rock fall might be a tight squeeze. I suspect one of the ranchers will probably move them out of the way, if they haven't already. It shouldn't take much to make a little more room.

AKgringo - 2-17-2020 at 12:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
Hey AK how long did it take and what where you driving?


I was driving a 1999 Isuzu Trooper, stock except for slightly oversize tires (265/70/16) running 24 psi.

I spent a couple of hours on the drive, but that included stops for a quick snack, and several look arounds for me and my dog.

Another first for me

AKgringo - 2-17-2020 at 04:43 PM

For the last few years, there has been an increasing number of adventurers peddling bicycles down the Baja Divide route, and other roads.

If they are stopped, or pushing their bikes, I always ask if they need anything. About two thirds of the way across this road, I encountered a French couple, who were about to filter water from one of the drainages.

Looking at all the cow turds around the water hole, I offered them a gallon of Crystal Geyser that I had in my supply box. They gratefully accepted it!

What was a first for me, was finding a couple riding a tandem bicycle on Baja back roads! That must be an ultimate test of a relationship!

elskel - 2-17-2020 at 05:27 PM

I have to fly North for a few days on Thursday. I return on Tuesday, I am going to take the road back home from the airport when I return.

elskel - 2-27-2020 at 02:08 PM

Hey All: Drove the Naranja Road on Tuesday. What a nice drive, I went from the East to the West, home from the airport. Took 1hr. 40 min a few stops. It's probably as good as it can get. First rain will change it all.
bk

JZ - 2-27-2020 at 03:38 PM

Thanks for the update.

AKgringo - 2-27-2020 at 04:26 PM

elskel, did the rock fall on the west side of the divide get cleared away? If you don't remember a pucker point between a boulder and a drop off, then they must have moved it.

[Edited on 2-27-2020 by AKgringo]

elskel - 2-28-2020 at 05:12 PM

Yes, All cleared

El Jefe - 2-28-2020 at 05:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
For the last few years, there has been an increasing number of adventurers peddling bicycles down the Baja Divide route, and other roads.

If they are stopped, or pushing their bikes, I always ask if they need anything. About two thirds of the way across this road, I encountered a French couple, who were about to filter water from one of the drainages.

Looking at all the cow turds around the water hole, I offered them a gallon of Crystal Geyser that I had in my supply box. They gratefully accepted it!

What was a first for me, was finding a couple riding a tandem bicycle on Baja back roads! That must be an ultimate test of a relationship!


I dream of riding the Baja Divide from home in Carlsbad to home in Baja Sur just off the southern loop part of the route. I would have to do it in sections though since I would not make my sweetie happy to be away all that time in one long shot like I did in the fall on my cross country peddle on my recumbent trike. Would need to go with fat tires as well. Sure would be a great adventure. Check out my Chicago to Santa Barbara ride here, www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/rollingbeachchair

David K - 2-29-2020 at 05:11 AM

Tom, that's a great page... I will enjoy reading it in full!

Oh, by-the-way... for some reason the movie you and the Mrs. made back in 2000 or so... The Healer's Son (help me with the correct title)? came to my mind. Is it available anywhere online or dvd???