CalgaryMcLean
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Guadalupe Canyon to Hwy.5 and San Felipe
Any recent conditions?
Or, if I want to get from Guadalupe Canyon to San Felipe, am I better off backtracking to Mexicali and then heading south?
Thanks,
Kevin
Calgary, AB
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John M
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Backtracking??
Quickest route would be to backtrack I'd say.
To not back track you could head south to Cohabuzzo Junction then east to Highway 5.
In the Baja Almanac Norte, page N-8 you can see the main road heading south from the area of Guadalupe Canyon. I'd have to go to some gps readings to
be certain but I believe Cohabuzzo Jct is on that main road about opposite where the little airplane is shown - maybe two hours drive south from
Guadalupe. From that main road at Cohabuzzo Junction you'd head east and pick up the road shown on N-8, that meets Highway 5 at what is shown as Ej.
Saldana.
It has been years since I've traveled east from Cohabuzzo, but others have taken it. All I recall is lots of soft sand.
This is one of the least traveled areas we've been to lately, you'd be by yourselves most all of the way. Be prepared.
If you are interested I will get some gps info for you. Others I'm certain will chime in.
John M.
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David K
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I have the GPS data for Guadalupe Canyon to Cohabuzo Jcn. to Hwy. 5 in my GPS web page at VivaBaja.com When I drove it in Jan. 2002, the 20 miles from
Cohabuzo to Laguna Salada valley (Saldana road) part was a nightmare... Go north to Hwy. 2 and detour by Mexicali to get to San Felipe for the
shortest time.
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Barry A.
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David-------
--------you say a "nightmare"-----howcome??? Whoops, sand, mud, silt, what?????
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Neal Johns
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It has a few slightly rocky sections, but the main problem is the very slow travel because of the countless whoopties. A little very sandy/silty
places but they are a relief after all the hobby horsing over the whoops. 
Half of the trip is quite scenic going through the low hills/mountains. Everyone should do it as least once.
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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TMW
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When you get to Cohabuso jct just follow the Score markers and milage signs. If you have a 4x4 it should be fun. I have not heard about the dry lake
route being dry so you may be better off going right at the either or sign and skirt the lake bed to the west. The routes rejoin at what use to be
called Tres Pozo. From there it's 7 miles to hwy 5 at KM87. If you want, go to the Score web site at www.score-international.com and print out the map and course notes for the 2005 Baja 1000. I've got the GPS way points for the various junctions
on the route if you want them.
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Barry A.
--------you say a "nightmare"-----howcome??? Whoops, sand, mud, silt, what????? |
Sure Barry, in Jan. 2002 the approx. 20 miles between Laguna Salada basin and Cohabuzo was mostly whoops filled with moon dust/Baja dust/silt/talcolm
powder (insert your favorite word here) and even in my mighty Tacoma, it was slow, tiresome driving... We ended up in a hot tub that night to make up
for it... But, it was no short cut in time... 10 mph avg. for the 20 miles... the rest of that route was freeway fast, graded road... but not worth
the Baja 1000 route east from Cohabuzo.
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CalgaryMcLean
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Neal Johns
It has a few slightly rocky sections, but the main problem is the very slow travel because of the countless whoopties. A little very sandy/silty
places but they are a relief after all the hobby horsing over the whoops.
Half of the trip is quite scenic going through the low hills/mountains. Everyone should do it as least once. |
Well, we will be two families travelling together, it's our first time in Baja, we don't know when we'll be back again, and we're not in any rush so
what the heck, we'll probably give it a go! 
Thanks for all the info everyone!
Kevin
Calgary, AB
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David K
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Guadalupe Canyon Hot Springs ( http://www.guadalupe-canyon.com ) will be a favorite place, then the beaches south of San Felipe will be inviting as well... If you want to
experience the Baja 1000 race course for fun, then do it... But, you have been warned! It will take you longer than driving around via Mexicali.
If you need more details or a point to point GPS road guide, let me know.
Here's a shot looking south... about 20 miles south of San Felipe...
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CalgaryMcLean
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David:
Thanks for the way point offer, but I don't have a GPS.
I'm leaving Calgary this Thursday after work and should be soaking in a Guadalupe Canyon hot tub sometime next Wednesday at the latest!
After making the drive into the Canyon and getting our first taste of Baja roads, we'll decide whether to take the tougher road south, or head back
around through Mexicali.
Thanks,
Kevin
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David K
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No problem Kevin...
Unless you want to pick up a GPS down here in the lower 48 for about $119 US, as you drive south... better have a good map (Baja Almanac), compass and
note your odometer milage IF you want to go cross the desert...
The road (dry lake, graded road, rocky road) to the canyon will warm you up... most the final two miles. The short cut is mostly good 40 of the 60
miles. It's the middle 20 that was a bear!
If you go via the highway, that short cut reaches Hwy. 5 at the sand dune field that is halfway between Mexicali and San Felipe... note a sign for
Ejido Saldana... FYI.
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Neal Johns
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CalgaryMcLean,
Since you have no GPS, it is about 25 miles from the "turn west into the 7.4 mile Guadalupe Canyon driveway" junction with the main North/south road,
to Cohabuzo Junction.
Your trip log:
0.0 Start at junction of main N/S road described above.
1.8 Pass south entrance road to Canyon Guadalupe Hot Springs.
6.0 Turn left.
8.? "T" turn right toward deserted Ejido Guardines de la Patria.
9.8 Pass through Ejido Guardines de la Patria.
18.7 Ignore road left.
24.2 Ignore road right (to Canyons Isabel and Palomar).
25.4 Cohabuzo Junction - turn left, go down into arroyo, cross, go up other side (4wd), and you are on your way to Hwy. 5
Airing down the tires to around 25 pounds will help the ride and sand travel.
Here is a map of the area with the south road to Guadalupe missing:
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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Barry A.
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Neal-----I don't mean to confuse the issue------
-------but, for my own info: On your map and trip log, you say at mile 18.7 "ignor road left"--------------Isn't this the historical main road that
predates the "race course"???? and if so, what is it like??? I presume that it too goes the same place as the "race course", right??
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David K
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I think it is washed out... and the race course isn't...
We were coming to Guadalupe from San Felipe on this route and did not see another road going north/west from the Laguna Salada side... just the 'race
course' which was the ugly 20 miles of whoops and Baja dust.
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Barry A.
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Thanks, David-----
now my curiosity if really stoked-----------gotta go down there and explore from the northwest end, and see. Maybe sometime this winter.
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Neal Johns
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Yes, BarryA, that is what it is. Frequently the turn is even marked by rock cairns. Good luck, I have never made it through all the way and have never
seen it come into the racecourse road either.
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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Ken Cooke
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| Quote: | Originally posted by CalgaryMcLean
Any recent conditions?
Or, if I want to get from Guadalupe Canyon to San Felipe, am I better off backtracking to Mexicali and then heading south?
Thanks,
Kevin
Calgary, AB |
Our group traveled from Guadalupe to Cohabuzo Junction last week, and it was sandy, but all dry. We then traveled the dirt road from Arroyo Jaquegel
to the Laguna Salada region heading east towards Hwy 5. We saw SCORE markers along that route and though the dirt was soft and wet in some stretches,
the road was dusty in some stretches and washboarded and even potholed in some places. Where the sand/silt is soft, your visibility will be reduced
to seeing no more than the front of your hood. Drive safely, and have a good time!
Traveling from Guadalupe Canyon towards Cohabuzo Junction on December 28th, 05:
The sandy road leading south of the Laguna Salada towards Cohabuzo Junction on December 28th, 2005:
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