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SyntaxJO
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 6-19-2006
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Mood: Excited for November!
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Can I get to Malarrimo Beach...
in my rear wheel drive Nissan Frontier? It doesn't have a lift but has good clearance (better than a normal car). I have weathered really heavy
roads with it already - the nice road from Puertocitos to the 1 on the way to De Los Angeles - and I've also taken the "secondary highway" from
Constitucion to San Ignacio. That was the worst road I have ever seen - arroyos washed out chunks of it - dirt track detours with the consistency of
loose flour - but once I learned how to drive them (after a rancher showed me [after we dug the car out]) it was pretty easy and I feel pretty
confident. Despacio despacio.
Can I make it?
And also - is there a sign off the road designating the proper road to Malarrimo?
[Edited on 6-17-2010 by SyntaxJO]
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
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Location: Riverside, CA
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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As long as you go, be sure to bring a friend with a 4wd, a tow rope, and a tire air compressor so that you can air down your tires and air them back
up when you exit the beach.
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Udo
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Syntax...
There are two way you can get to Malarrimo beach:
The first one is by San Jose Del Castro, about 40 miles past Vizcaino. That road is really tough and it does require 4X4 plus high ground clearance.
You may even have to hunt down some boulders to fill in some dips to make them passable.
The other is to drive down another 15 miles untill you see the sign on the road that says (Playa Malarrimo). Turn right there, and follow it to the
fish camp. Say Hi to the fishermen at the camp and tell them Udo sent you. Then make a right on the frontage road that parallels the beach and head
east, you'll get to the primary Malarrimo with less or no damage to the car.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
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Location: Buena Vista BCS
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It depends on what part of Malarrimo you want to see. If you want to go to the part of the beach where the redwood logs and the best beachcombing are
you have to go in by the turn off to San Jose del Castro. Don't go by yourself in a 2wd vehicle. Not saying it's impossible but it is very remote and
you will be on your own.
Here is a link to a trip we did there a few years ago.....dt
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=32808#pid3391...
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Even if you go in a 4x4 be careful in the wash as you get closer to the beach. Stay on the deeper sand side as there is mud in places under that sand.
There was a really good story on the Off Road.com web site written by Mark Naugle about a trip they made out there in three 4x4s thru Castro's and got
stuck in the mud in that wash. I was last there about 5 or 6 years ago and it was a blast. We were in a 4x4. I don't think it wise to go in a 2wd at
least that way. Maybe Udo's way.
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SyntaxJO
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 6-19-2006
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Mood: Excited for November!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
The other is to drive down another 15 miles untill you see the sign on the road that says (Playa Malarrimo). Turn right there, and follow it to the
fish camp. Say Hi to the fishermen at the camp and tell them Udo sent you. Then make a right on the frontage road that parallels the beach and head
east, you'll get to the primary Malarrimo with less or no damage to the car. |
This sounds very doable. Can I span the whole beach coming from that way or would I only be able to access the Western side?
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13052
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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be very careful...vehicles that have driven on the beach have been lost there in quicksand type conditions..the sand is tricky...we always make sure
we have 2 vehicles just in case and park before we get to the beach even though we have good 4X4's.
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Shari is right, Syntax. You really should have two vehicles making the run. It can be done in a two wheeler, just don't get in over your head in soft
sand. Never stop on softer sand. Always use momentum to push you through.
And...
No, you can't do the entire western side via the beach. With a 4X4 you may be able to go as far as the southern peninsula at the entrance to Laguna
Ojo De Libre. Which is also a real good vantage point from which to see the whales when they are there.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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SyntaxJO
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 6-19-2006
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Mood: Excited for November!
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I'm sorry but I'm a little confused by the answers. Shari are you talking about BOTH roads that Udo mentioned or just the first one being the more
direct rout? Are you saying that road that is further down also has 'quicksand?'
Udo - I was asking if I could do the entire beach coming from the East and you're saying that I can only do PART of the Western side? Could you be a
bit more clear on that? I've traveled alone plenty through Baja and I know the beach type sand is bad. Are you saying that the second road you
mentioned is like that? Are there definite extended stretches of beach type sand? It sounds like both roads are just as bad?
I would like to apologize for all of the questions but both times I've hit Baja I missed Malarrimo and I really want to do this. I have been stuck
here:
PLEASE PASTE IN BORWSER
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=26.657899,-112.88...
and this was the worst conditions I'd ever been in:
I was the flour like dirt that you just need to drive slow through. Is there beach sand all over the place or just when you get up to the beach?
[Edited on 6-18-2010 by SyntaxJO]
[Edited on 6-18-2010 by SyntaxJO]
[Edited on 6-27-2010 by BajaNomad]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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I have not been there, but read the books and Nomad posts on Malarrimo:
The 'quicksand' is the beach itself from the end of the road (San Jose del Castro road) east/north towards Scammon's Lagoon. Dry sand covers the
sticky mud. So, advise you keep heavy vehicles off the beach to the east/ north of that roadhead. Bring an ATV/ Quad...
The San Jose del Castro road north to Malarrimo, through the canyon, is a 4WD road for most... the newer road coming in from Bahia Tortugas and the
Punta Malarrimo Fish Camp/ El Queen fish camp is the 'better' road for 2WD from what I have read. However, 4WD and a companion vehicle is the only
advised way to explore this part of Baja.
IF YOU GO: Have fun, take photos, report back!
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Udo
Elite Nomad
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Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Syntax...
The road from San Jose Del Castro (albeit shorter) is the worst of the two ways to get to the desolate parts of Malarrimo. This past winter storms
probably did a major wash out of the arroyos and vados.
The road that takes you from the Bahia Tortuga to the turn off to Malarrimo beach, takes you to the fish camps. Then head east folowing the parallel
of the water. There are numerous places you can stop to do some beach-combing along the way. There will be some softer sand along this road, but just
remember to lower the air pressure on the tires and stop only on harder ground. You'll never make it to the peninsula point in something other than a
4X4.
The longest soft beach sand you'll encounter on the parallel road is around 600 feet. Be sure to walk some of it ahead of time to test for quick sand.
If traveling alone, bring a VHF marine radio to speak with the fishermen in case you need help.
BTW the beachcombing is quite an experience because you'll encounter products from all over the Pacific countries. Last time there, someone found an
EPIRB with a dead battery. Apperared to be launched from a Chinese vessel based on the writing on it.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
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Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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That road on your google map seemed soft but doable on a 2WD.
I am sure you already did, but did you google map the terrain around Malarrimo yet?
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Desertbull
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 8-27-2003
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I have been there...numerous times.
If it was easy everyone would go there, like going to Coco's. Bedman drove his motorhome to Coco's, no big deal. This is not like that. My
suggestion is that if you are not equipped and/or not up for an adventure, don't go there.
The Castro wash road is straight forward, but every time I've traveled it, it's changed.
The rain has eroded away many different lines and now you need a couple shovels and some know-how to sometimes create your own ramps up and down over
the obstacles. It's part of the adventure, be ready do some work, but know it's not a Sunday afternoon drive, for most.
Remember its a wash and all debris from the desert dumps onto the beach there at the end of the wash where it drains into the Pacific. The road
snakes all over back and forth across the big wash and up and down the bluffs surrounding the wash. We've had to drive over all kinds of obstacles,
but go slow and use your Baja knowledge.
Just before the bluffs end the sand is very soft and deep. You should not plan on stopping in that zone, continue your momentum and already have your
decision made to turn left or right.
We generally trudge through the end of the wash and turn left and park on the high part of the beach at the bottom of the bluff. Then we walk and
explore to the East because we end up driving on the beach West to the Fish Camp and exit there along the coast where if finally connects to Tortugas.
Take shovels, tow ropes, 4WD vehicles, VHF Radios, Iridium Sat Phones and some friends. Have the phone numbers of your friends in Vizcaino, Guerro
Negro and San Ignacio in case you have an issue. If you don't know anyone there, hmmm...call Junior in Vizcaino at Junior's Welding Shop. Hopefully,
you won't have to use any of it.
When you make it through the wash park and enjoy what 97% or less of the people don't ever get to see or explore.
A bunch of years back, WB and myself took 20 guys/gals back there overnight and BBQ'd Rib Eye steaks and Garlic Shrimp on the beach. It's changed a
bit since those days, but still is mysterious and very cool. 
DREAM IT! PLAN IT! LIVE IT!
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ArvadaGeorge
Nomad
Posts: 358
Registered: 9-2-2003
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I was there in January 2010 and it was not easy to get onto the beach or off on a motorcycle .--real washed out. To get on on the beach at the north
end we slid the bikes down a 5 ft ledge and to get out at the Castro road/wash we had to ride up on the bank.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Wonderful reports Udo, Tim and George!
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SyntaxJO
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 6-19-2006
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Mood: Excited for November!
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This is all great. Anyway I could get a google map of this peninsula point you speak of, Udo? I really don't have too much reference for any of
this. But this is all great information that multiple readings would continue to merit my journey.
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
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Mood: In love!
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I (I'm the handsome devil in blue) did not get stuck in Malarrimo but:
![Malarrimo3 [800x600].jpg - 49kB](https://forums.bajanomad.com/files.php?pid=523937&aid=26158 "Malarrimo3 [800x600].jpg - 49kB")
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
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Mood: In love!
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A Jeep came to help:
![Malarrimo2 [800x600].jpg - 42kB](https://forums.bajanomad.com/files.php?pid=523938&aid=26159 "Malarrimo2 [800x600].jpg - 42kB")
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
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Mood: In love!
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Three Toyotas pulled them both out. True! 
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
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Mood: In love!
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The Jeep driver is an active Nomad!
My lips are sealed.
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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