BajaNomad

West from San Javier

Beagle - 4-19-2021 at 07:02 PM

Anyone RECENTLY (last 4-6 mos) been on the old road going west from San Javier Mission towards the Pacific ? The one that spits out just a little North of Insurgentes. We did it about 4 years ago and are thinking about doing it again in May after we spend a few days up around San Javier. We will be in 4x4 Tacoma but still wondering what the road is like these days.

Thanks!

4x4abc - 4-19-2021 at 07:12 PM

smooth sailing

San Javier to Km. 27 on Hwy. 53

David K - 4-19-2021 at 07:17 PM



2018-26.jpg - 82kB

AKgringo - 4-19-2021 at 07:28 PM

I drove it in October, and unless a storm has blown in since then, you won't need four wheel drive.

There were many water crossings, and probably more of the route is right down the river bed than the last time you drove it, due to some wash outs a couple of years ago.

JZ - 4-19-2021 at 07:40 PM

Do the route that goes NW to the Pacific. It's more interesting.

AKgringo - 4-19-2021 at 08:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Do the route that goes NW to the Pacific. It's more interesting.



That is the route I took on my way south! From near San Isidro, through the two Comondu's, and on to San Javier on ranch roads.

JZ - 4-19-2021 at 08:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  


That is the route I took on my way south! From near San Isidro, through the two Comondu's, and on to San Javier on ranch roads.


I hope you didn't infect too many cactus with Covid along the way!!

Beagle - 4-20-2021 at 05:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Do the route that goes NW to the Pacific. It's more interesting.



So, from San Javier up to Comondú etc?
We've done the Comondú to La Purisima back road so we would probably just hit the pavement once we got to Comondú if we went this route.

What's the road condition from San Javier to Comondú?

Thanks!

David K - 4-20-2021 at 06:41 AM

A graded road but with a rough/ steep grade up and then back down a mesa (between Palo Chino and El Horno). Those two grades are the only reason I recommend 4WD on that road:



2018-25.jpg - 128kB

[Edited on 4-21-2021 by David K]

AKgringo - 4-20-2021 at 07:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Beagle  
Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Do the route that goes NW to the Pacific. It's more interesting.



So, from San Javier up to Comondú etc?
We've done the Comondú to La Purisima back road so we would probably just hit the pavement once we got to Comondú if we went this route.

What's the road condition from San Javier to Comondú?

Thanks!


David got it right, it is a pretty decent dirt road that is a bit of a challenge at both ends, but I am sure that most of the ranch vehicles that use it are probably two wheel drive.

I liked that road! About half way between San Javier and Comondu, the only tracks in the dust were cattle and goats.

There appeared to have been a road crew through there that repaired a few washouts, but it was not their job to trim back the brush in a few narrow spots.

They must have had a sense of humor, because on a steep, rough, very narrow grade heading down toward San Javier, they installed a no passing sign!

David K - 4-20-2021 at 08:32 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  


They must have had a sense of humor, because on a steep, rough, very narrow grade heading down toward San Javier, they installed a no passing sign!


:lol:

Beagle - 4-20-2021 at 02:20 PM

Alright thanks guys! And thanks for the maps, David! We haven't done that section yet so we will try it out if the locals say it's still all good. Always appreciate the info here. I'll try to do a mini trip report on that section afterwards ....in late May.

Be safe, all!

[Edited on 4-20-2021 by Beagle]

[Edited on 4-20-2021 by Beagle]

JZ - 4-20-2021 at 02:27 PM

Have fun. That is a pretty easy stretch. Some really nice views.

4x4abc - 4-20-2021 at 04:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
A graded road but with a rough/ steep grade up and then back down a mesa (between Palo Chino and El Hongo). Those two grades are the only reason I recommend 4WD on that road:




where is El Hongo?

Skipjack Joe - 4-20-2021 at 04:22 PM

I did the San Javier to Commondu road about two weeks ago. It’s in good shape and may be driveable with 2wd but high clearance. It’s in best condition at the San Javier end. The remainder goes up and down into several canyons which have water. The road is badly eroded during climbs and descents. A 4wd is definitely better but the Mexicans do it in pickups. The vegetation is cardon, Palo verdes, and organ pipe cactus. There are some nice views overlooking the canyons.

4x4abc - 4-20-2021 at 06:59 PM

thanks to El Hongo I had to revisit the area
cool - I found a new road

Beagle - 4-20-2021 at 07:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe  
I did the San Javier to Commondu road about two weeks ago. It’s in good shape and may be driveable with 2wd but high clearance. It’s in best condition at the San Javier end. The remainder goes up and down into several canyons which have water. The road is badly eroded during climbs and descents. A 4wd is definitely better but the Mexicans do it in pickups. The vegetation is cardon, Palo verdes, and organ pipe cactus. There are some nice views overlooking the canyons.


Awesome. Thank you for the recent report!

JZ - 4-20-2021 at 07:22 PM

Attached are a couple way points and tracks for the area.







Attachment: Area Around San Javier and Comundu.kmz (7kB)
This file has been downloaded 251 times

Beagle - 4-20-2021 at 09:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Attached are a couple way points and tracks for the area.







Thanks JZ! That's helpful. We'd probably slab it after we hit Comondú. We've done that last section previously from Comondú to La Purisíma. This should be enough for this trip. We're doing a squiggly loop of sorts, starting and ending in San Juanico. :)

David K - 4-20-2021 at 10:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
A graded road but with a rough/ steep grade up and then back down a mesa (between Palo Chino and El Horno). Those two grades are the only reason I recommend 4WD on that road:




where is El Hongo?


Got my ovens and mushrooms mixed up, lol! Fixed!

Beagle - 4-21-2021 at 05:11 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
A graded road but with a rough/ steep grade up and then back down a mesa (between Palo Chino and El Horno). Those two grades are the only reason I recommend 4WD on that road:





[Edited on 4-21-2021 by David K]


Thanks, David. We'll be in a 4x4 Tacoma....which I know you'd approve of. :)

David K - 4-21-2021 at 07:24 AM

:light::D:cool:

David K - 7-7-2021 at 04:30 PM

How was the trip, Beagle?