BajaNomad

Comondu from Loreto

TLBaja79 - 9-21-2021 at 11:14 AM

Hola Amigos
Going to be in Loreto late October and going to make a trip out to Comondu (San Miguel de Comondu) and then possibly keep going west to the Scorpion Bay road down to Insurgentes and back to Loreto. Or just out to Comondu and back.

I've never been on that road. I think there is a turn off just before San Javier? Hows the road? we will drive a suburban 4x4

Good hotel in Comondu?

Thank you, looking forward to it!

JZ - 9-21-2021 at 11:16 AM

It's a pretty easy drive. One big grade that isn't bad at all.

The turn off is here: 25°55'59.75"N 111°32'42.58"W. It is 5.5 miles before San Javier. Paved road to San Javier mission.









[Edited on 9-21-2021 by JZ]

KurtG - 9-21-2021 at 11:33 AM

It's a beautiful drive. The long grade that JZ referred to can be rough after heavy rains and I have needed 4Lo to climb it a couple of times. Views from the top looking back south are spectacular. The view of Comondu before going down that grade are lovely, that descent can be rough if there have been heavy rains. I have seen it when it was easy and when it was a slow rough crawl. Comondu is a special place. For reference I was driving either my old S-10 Blazer of our Explorer which are both just medium duty 4wd. I've also motorcycled it several times over the years. You will enjoy the drive.

baja Steve - 9-21-2021 at 12:35 PM

That is a great and beautiful drive and the locals love for you to stop and chat with them. I will be driving that road again in early December.

AKgringo - 9-21-2021 at 01:38 PM

The Comondu Municipa[ty is a huge area, which is pretty much the west side of the Baja divide from Ciudad Constitucion, to San Juanico. If you are headed north on the road JZ pointed out, you will reach San Jose de Comondu first.

If the road you just traveled was not too washed out, continuing on north toward San Isidro and La Purisma is worth your while. Passing through San Miguel de Comondu gets you to good road in just a few miles, and you could decide to head north or south from there, or dould back to continue north on the back road1

I last drove those roads in January 2020 in an Isuzu Trooper, and at that time it was a rugged, two wheel drive road. That stretch was my favorite part of that road trip! Halfway across the lower part of the drive, the only tracks other than mine were from cattle and goats!

David K - 9-21-2021 at 02:21 PM

The road from Loreto to San Javier to Comondú to La Purísima and back to Hwy. 1 near Bahía Concepción is a hugely scenic drive. I detailed it in my 2017 Trip #2 report: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2017-baja-expedition-2-c...

Map:


The '4WD' note alongside the road, is for a steep upgrade past Palo Chino to a mesa top and then long downgrade to El Horno. It was pretty loose rock when I was there but it may have been scraped and smoothed over before you try.

motoged - 9-21-2021 at 05:15 PM

Commondu hotel: Yes there is a nice one with a restaurant and several rooms....BUT it needs reservations from an owner in Loreto.... don't remember the name....maybe involved with rentals at San Javier... and/or Loreto.

Google may help.

AKgringo - 9-21-2021 at 05:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged  
Commondu hotel: Yes there is a nice one with a restaurant and several rooms....


That is in San Miguel de Comondu, I did not see any lodging in San Jose de Comondu. As Ged can testify, if there is no room at the Inn, there may be a cot at the local church compound. One star service for sure!

KurtG - 9-21-2021 at 07:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by baja Steve  
That is a great and beautiful drive and the locals love for you to stop and chat with them. I will be driving that road again in early December.


Hi Steve,
Perhaps this is the year we will cross paths again. I will be doing a couple of trips, would be good to see you again. Keep in touch with your plans.

baja Steve - 9-22-2021 at 12:10 AM

Kurt I will for sure do that. It would be great to catch up again

defrag4 - 9-23-2021 at 11:51 PM

Theyve actually been getting some good rains up in the sierras recently, road should be fun!

AKgringo - 9-24-2021 at 07:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by defrag4  
Theyve actually been getting some good rains up in the sierras recently, road should be fun!


Even if 95% of the road is in good shape, there are a couple of steep spots, switchbacks and wash areas that can be impassable after a heavy rain!

Those spots may remain rock crawling challenges until a rancher with with good connections, or equipment of his own needs it repaired.

defrag4 - 9-25-2021 at 07:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Quote: Originally posted by defrag4  
Theyve actually been getting some good rains up in the sierras recently, road should be fun!


Even if 95% of the road is in good shape, there are a couple of steep spots, switchbacks and wash areas that can be impassable after a heavy rain!

Those spots may remain rock crawling challenges until a rancher with with good connections, or equipment of his own needs it repaired.


fun!