BajaNomad

road to Mechudo/san evaristo

Bob and jane - 2-21-2023 at 09:59 AM

I know some here are familiar with the road through San Juan de la Costa and on to Evaristo. I'm wondering what your opinions are about taking a front wheel drive Dodge van over those last two/three hills before the flats on the way to Evaristo. We took a Suburban with 2 kids, a dog, an inflatable boat and a tent trailer over the road many times in the late 80's and 90's. Later, just the two of us travelled the road in a 4 wheel drive truck and pop up camper. We know the road, but it changes yearly. And this would be the first time trying it in the van. It is a real wimp in the sand, but has had power enough to get us through the mainland of Mexico and the western US. We are leaning toward giving it a go, just wondering what some of you back road folks think of the idea. Thanks.

Cancamo - 2-21-2023 at 10:11 AM

Might get in, might not get out......big steps......that was almost two years ago, all depends on recent condition.
Not sure how that front wheel drive will track, as well as uncertain clearance.
Local boys did manage with 2WD, but not without a measure of skill, luck, and wreckless abandon.

JZ - 2-21-2023 at 10:31 AM

I hadn't heard of San Juan de la Costa and Mechudo, but searched and they are on the coast road going North from La Paz.

I've driven it many times. Once in a rented 2-whieel drive p/u with a stick.

Anyway you will be fine. That route has lots of traffic. Even if the weather messed something up, it would be fixed fast. Plus, the only challenging parts that would be most impacted by weather have concrete.


[Edited on 2-21-2023 by JZ]

JZ - 2-21-2023 at 10:36 AM

Btw, you have an interesting style going with capitalization.

Bob and Mechudo are upper case. Road, Jane, and San Evaristo lower case.



[Edited on 2-21-2023 by JZ]

David K - 2-21-2023 at 02:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and jane  
I know some here are familiar with the road through San Juan de la Costa and on to Evaristo. I'm wondering what your opinions are about taking a front wheel drive Dodge van over those last two/three hills before the flats on the way to Evaristo. We took a Suburban with 2 kids, a dog, an inflatable boat and a tent trailer over the road many times in the late 80's and 90's. Later, just the two of us travelled the road in a 4 wheel drive truck and pop up camper. We know the road, but it changes yearly. And this would be the first time trying it in the van. It is a real wimp in the sand, but has had power enough to get us through the mainland of Mexico and the western US. We are leaning toward giving it a go, just wondering what some of you back road folks think of the idea. Thanks.


The little resort at San Evaristo catering to Baja Divide bike riders, and others, has a Facebook page (as do so many businesses in Baja). Perhaps contact them for a fresh report? I drove it in 2017, and it was an excellent dirt road (2WD OK) north of the pavement at San Juan de la Costa.
Lupe Sierra's & Maggi Mae: https://www.facebook.com/sierraslupe

JZ - 2-21-2023 at 02:56 PM

As a side note. Once there you can pay a panga to take you out to the islands. They are beautiful.




4x4abc - 2-21-2023 at 03:24 PM

one steep rutted hill on the way back that is not 2WD friendly
24.795350°, -110.679711°

Bob and jane - 2-21-2023 at 03:33 PM

Cancamo: we certainly won't be taking the Las Pocitas road coming or going. We know the van couldn't handle that. And I remember the road over the hills being steeper going north than coming south. But I might be wrong.
JZ: too lazy to worry about capital letters. Surprised you say there is lots of traffic. Past Portuquese at the base of the first hill going north, we rarely see another vehicle. And, yup, we've been to the islands. Awesome.
David K: last time we were there was 2016 according to my photos. I never remember a fine dirt road. Always washboards on the flatter stretches. Rocks and rough patches on the hills. I suspect we'll have no problem. Just pack everything tightly and go for it.
Thanks all.

David K - 2-21-2023 at 05:25 PM

Well, if you travel as many rough roads in Baja as I have, that road to San Evaristo is like an unpaved highway. All graded roads get a washboard surface... hopping tires on cars with bad shocks is given as the reason. 4x4abc, can give you the exact science, I am sure.
With the majority of the population at San Evaristo only driving 2WD cars, I wouldn't say the road needs a 4x4. However, they know about lowering the air pressure to improve traction and improving the ride, on dirt roads!
;)
Oh, almost everyone who drives this road for the first time, takes a picture here:

4x4abc - 2-21-2023 at 08:19 PM

powered wheels create washboard
the more power (speed) - the higher the waves
thus the whoops on the Baja racetrack (visible on sat images!)

here is proof that powered wheels create washboard:
dirt airstrips have no washboard despite the high speed of planes (unpowered wheels)

4WD creates less washboard than 2WD as the 4x4 wheels put only 1/2 the power to the ground

Mulege Canuck - 2-21-2023 at 08:28 PM

I did that road last year in my F350 and large camper. I would not do it unless your ready and willing to get creative.

honda tom - 3-10-2023 at 09:21 AM

I did from constitucion to evaristo thru la presa july of 2022.....
I would not want to do it in a mini van!

David K - 3-10-2023 at 09:37 AM

The hurricane was in September, so not better than July, that's for sure!

I was in contact (inReach) with a couple who just did the drive from Constitucion to Mission San Luis Gonzaga, past La Presa, to the campground at Mission Dolores/La Pasion (Cabañas La Pasión de Chillá), then over to San Evaristo then south to La Paz... last week.

Drive times were longer than normal from the damage in the inland section. They made no special comments on the San Evaristo south question.

Per their GPS track, they left San Evaristo at 12:45 and arrived at the pavement at San Juan de la Costa at 2:55, 2 hrs, 10 min for the 45 mile drive. They were driving a small SUV.

The road jucntion, near La Presa, 2 miles from the campground, to San Evaristo took 3.5 hours for the 31 mile drive, so far tougher driving.

philodog - 3-11-2023 at 07:00 PM

Personally I wouldn't do it unless you're comfortable with abusing your vehicle a bit and willing to risk a breakdown. I did it twice this winter and lower my pressure at the end of pavement and put my truck in 4wd at the first hill. There are a couple of hills you might be doing some significant tire spin.

Bob and jane - 3-12-2023 at 10:44 AM

I'll have a report soon.

elgatoloco - 3-13-2023 at 09:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and jane  
I'll have a report soon.


Look forward to hearing about it. Buen viaje! :dudette::cool:

Bob and jane - 3-17-2023 at 11:06 AM

Thanks Elgatoloco. We DID have a great trip. Not as expected, but great nonetheless.
We rumbled over the washboards to El Portuguese, no problem. We expected the first hill (which David K showed in his photo) to be the easiest of the three. About 3/4 of the way to the top the road went over an imbedded boulder, just before a stretch of concrete. The van spun out and we were going nowhere. We tried different angles and tried to get a bit of speed up, but the road was steep and narrow and not much room to manuever. After a number of tries and lots of spewing gravel, we gave it up. No need to trash the road for the next vehicle and we knew from experience that there were more formidable obstacles ahead. We slowly backed to a place where the road was slightly wider than the van was long, did a careful 10-point turn and retreated. We'd learned that the van was a wimp in sand on the Laguna Manuela road awhile ago, now we knew it just didn't have what it takes for the steep, rocky pitches. Always good to know your vehicle's limitations. We were just glad we had our lesson without getting into too much trouble. Heading back where we came from, we tested a number of side roads and then found our spot. We had a solid, flat area to park, just enough shade from an old mesquite, expansive views to the east of the Sea of Cortez and to the west, the rainbow hues of those amazing cliffs framing the desert. We had two perfect days of beachcombing, desert wandering, sunsets and sunrises, and just being lazy before we came home. We weren't where we expected to be, but we were where we were and were happy to be there.
Thank you all for your advice. Human nature being what it is, we just had to try it for ourselves. And, yes, we could have made it to Evaristo in our old 4-wheel-drive pickup and pop-up camper, but the van has taken us thousands and thousands of miles from Alaska to Chiapas. No regrets. Happy travels to all.

JZ - 3-17-2023 at 02:32 PM

The bay at San Evaristo isn't all that great anyway. I enjoy the drive there more than the destination.

Sounds like your spot was the place to be.


[Edited on 3-18-2023 by JZ]

4x4abc - 3-17-2023 at 10:53 PM

good one!
It takes more balls to turn around than fight something not worth winning.

Bob and jane - 3-18-2023 at 10:36 AM

I appreciate the responses. I expected to be berated for not trying harder. David K did respond speculating that we should have aired down, but that post has disappeared. I would tell him and anyone else that we considered airing down. And we probably would have made it over the first hurdle. But what about the next one and the next? We really didn't want to subject the van to the beating that those local pickups are subjected to every day on that road. Bottom line: we had a great time. Three days without seeing another human being except a distant panga with local fishermen. Just what we wanted. Safe travels everyone. Hope you all find your special spots.

David K - 3-18-2023 at 12:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and jane  
I appreciate the responses. I expected to be berated for not trying harder. David K did respond speculating that we should have aired down, but that post has disappeared. I would tell him and anyone else that we considered airing down. And we probably would have made it over the first hurdle. But what about the next one and the next? We really didn't want to subject the van to the beating that those local pickups are subjected to every day on that road. Bottom line: we had a great time. Three days without seeing another human being except a distant panga with local fishermen. Just what we wanted. Safe travels everyone. Hope you all find your special spots.


I am sure you had a great time... which is the most impotant part!
My air pressure reply was more of a way to bring 4x4abc into the conversation. Which Harald did reply to, but without any air pressure comments (he is the expert 4x4 guy here, and has the website www.4x4abc.com to teach us the right way to drive off road). Anyway, I removed my reply when I saw Harald here. I mean no offense when I throw out bits of 'Baja knowledge'. I do so for all the people who read Nomad but never post or post anymore. They are the 'silent majority' here. Here is just a sample of Baja helpful hints:

1) Air down to go further or get unstuck.
2) Rub a bar of soap over a gas tank leak as a temporary repair.
3) Place garlic cloves around your cot at night to keep rattlesnakes away (other things too)!
Stuff like that! :light::D:cool:

Mulege Canuck - 3-18-2023 at 05:32 PM

It took heuvos to give it a try. Good on ya buddy.