Mika
Junior Nomad
Posts: 60
Registered: 1-8-2009
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Puertecitos to Chapala (HW1) with 2WD
Hi,
I have read many posts about the road south of Puertecitos, but all the questions/answers are based on the assumption that people are taking their
trucks or dirt bikes.
In my case, we are traveling with my trusty sedan (2WD standard). And would like to know if I am just too crazy to attempt to drive the route.
Our previous Baja dirt/grated road adventures with the same car include driving to Laguna Hanson via Ojos Negros, to San Borja, then down to Guerrero
Negro, to Santa Gertrudis, and to San Juanico (south route). So we know what "good" dirt/grated roads in Baja are like. I understand these are
totally easy roads compared to Puertecitos to Gongaza. But I would like to go through that route if that's possible.
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bonanza bucko
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 8-31-2003
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Mood: Airport Bum
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Puertecitos to Lake Chapala
Mika:
That Road between Puertecitos and Gonzaga Bay has more problems than just washboard....there are three or four places in the Tres Marias (three
mountains along the sea ten miles below Puertecitos) where you have to crawl over boulders and ruts that are about a foot in diameter and/or deep.
The current road construction is also producing some spots where there is deep sand and dust with boulders hidden in it. You will need more than the
normal car's clearance to make it in my opinion. In the construction area you may even wish you had 4X4 in some spots. They also don't do a very
good job of marking the route....two or three places where you will probably have to turn around.
I would not take a standard sedan over that road unless I had about a full day to do it and two spare tires.....and then I would probably chicken out
at the last moment. It ain't worth it!
The washboard south of the Tres Marias is tough but you can make it if you take it slow. There are also two spots just south of Punta Bufeo where
the "road" is very, very rough with sharp rocks. As above, you need to have very good tires and at least one spare. The best tires for that road
have three ply side walls because there are sharp rocks that wait to rip your side walls out.
The road between Gonzaga Bay and Lake Chapala is better...only washboard.
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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I totally agree with B-Bucko above!
Bob H
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
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Not the road for a sedan. Great road with the right vehicle!
Ken
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Get a truck or SUV if you love Baja!
It would be a very slow and unhappy drive in a sedan... Was over it in my Tacoma last January... and it wasn't very fun in it, either.
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David K
Honored Nomad
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I didn't take any photos of the road last January... But did last September, have a look starting on this page: http://vivabaja.com/908/page6.html
Here is a caption under one of my photos (south of the new road construction) for you:
This 'older' road was built in the mid 1980's and for the first time allowed 2WD passenger cars easy access south of Puertecitos. In late 2005, this
road was badly storm damaged and never repaired. The once smooth surface had washed away exposing sharp volcanic rock in the roadbed. 4WD is not
needed, but a sturdy, high clearance vehicle and slow driving is required for the nearly 50 mile road to Gonzaga Bay.
[Edited on 8-13-2009 by David K]
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Bwana_John
Nomad
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I disagree that a truck is necessary for traveling that road, Ive had friends drive Honda Accords down that road, just go slow.
I drive a full sized F-250 down that road however. 
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Crusoe
Senior Nomad
Posts: 731
Registered: 10-14-2006
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They may drive an Accord down that road once!!. But it will be the first and last time. Never twice!! Gauranteed. I did it in a overloaded F150 in
06....Never again!! ++C++
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
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The trip I took the above photo in March of 2006, about 1/2 way to Gonzaga at the bottom of a hill was an abandoned Toyota Tercel with a trail of oil
going up the hill to where a rock had taken out it's oil pan.
Yes it can be done in a sedan, wouldn't advise it though.
Ken
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Mika
Junior Nomad
Posts: 60
Registered: 1-8-2009
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Thank you all very much for your good advice. We will re-consider our route for this time. Yes, truck will be nice to have in Baja. . . : (
I have another road related question but I don't have a map with me right now so I will post it later and create a different thread.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
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Mika, if you want to see Gonzaga Bay... then drive in from Hwy. 1 (Laguna Chapala). It is only 36 miles that way and that road is maintained and
passable is a sedan (it is still 'rough'/ washboardy), but no big rocks exposed in the roadbed, like it is north of Gonzaga.
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preston
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Mika, if you want to see Gonzaga Bay... then drive in from Hwy. 1 (Laguna Chapala). It is only 36 miles that way and that road is maintained and
passable is a sedan (it is still 'rough'/ washboardy), but no big rocks exposed in the roadbed, like it is north of Gonzaga. |
Having done this route about 5 times with an Explorer, I would agree with what David says ... that route is possible in a sedan ... but even then, GO
SLOW. There are a few dips that can get pretty nasty between gradings or after a storm.
Having said that, I still would advise strongly against traveling to Gonzaga in a sedan (any way). Period.
I'll be taking my annual "loop trip" (SF-Gonzaga-BOLA-Tijuana) at the beginning of October IN MY NEW TACOMA (my Explorer finally died ... at the
perfect time for me to get a "cash for clunkers deal").
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