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john/gerda
Newbie
Posts: 22
Registered: 11-2-2011
Location: anaheim, ca
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can you go from San Felipe to L A Bay ?
Hi everyone, John and Gerda here,
Maybe a bit of a dumb question but we have confusion.
Gerda woks sometimes in Mexicali, going from there to San Felipe i am told is super easy, but can i go South, say to L A Bay ?? With a small trailer
of course and our 4 x 2
I have heard conflicting reports, something about in 1973 the road closed and maybe opened in 1986........
I have included a picture i found, looks preaty gnarly to me !!! Maybe an old picture, i don't know,,,but I sure hope so...
Ohhh by the way,,, wishing a very happy Veterans day to all who served and to thier families as well......... Gerda and I think of you-all and of
your sacrafices and thank you very very much.....
[Edited on 11-9-2011 by john/gerda]
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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Yes it can be done, check your map.
Please spell Mexicali and San Felipe correctly. (I can't believe I said that, DavidK, this one's for you!)
It is 54 miles one way of dirt road (roughly Okie Landing to Hwy. 1), your 4x2 will make it just fine but a small trailer with boat will likely self
destruct. (54 miles of dirt road = 54 miles of washboard road)
From Mexicali travel to Ensenada then proceed south to L.A. Bay.
Baja is cooling off quick, better get moving.
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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john/gerda
Newbie
Posts: 22
Registered: 11-2-2011
Location: anaheim, ca
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Thanks for the info,,,,
50 miles on washboard is quite a trek.
Spelling, yea my bad, i looked it up but must have still transcribed it wrong, i have some isshues with dyslexia, try as hard as i wish it just kinda
doesn't work, glad thats the olnly thing i have with those symptoms...lol
I edited and fixed the San Felipe, but i didnt see an error for mexicali......
My goal is to get in some practice and experience trailering and fishing in Baja during the fall and winter .
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Piece of cake.
What sort of car do you have..... would determine the ride.
The picture your posted is bout the worst of worst...and it does not represent the whole road.....just that section.
This route I take often....to my fishing holes. It is a GREAT drive. make it a two day run so you are not rushing.
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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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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The photo is one taken by baitcast (I believe) and is from the early 1970's or before of the OLD, original 4WD road south of Puertecitos.
AS of the latest reports:
Mexicali to San Felipe (125 miles) is paved 2 & 4 lane highway. Could be some detours onto dirt where they are doing upgrades to the highway.
San Felipe to Puertecitos (51 miles) is paved 2 lane road. There are many short, steep dips (vados) so this is not a high speed highway.
Puertecitos to Gonzaga Bay (Rancho Grande) (45 miles) is paved just over half way with a modern, fast highway... at last report, about 26 miles paved
with the next 8 miles close to being ready for asphalt. The last 11 miles were once very rough and slow, but last report that is was graded smooth.
2WD no problem.
Gonzaga Bay to Highway 1 (Laguna Chapala) (35 miles) is a graded dirt road 'washboard' surface in part, but easy to travel in 2WD.
Laguna Chapala to L.A. Bay is all paved (unless there is a detour for highway upgrades) (73 miles).
[Edited on 11-9-2011 by David K]
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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What kind of trailer are you towing? Do you normally take it on dirt roads? Washboards will test every nut and bolt, and rivets too!
One of the great drives in Baja!
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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Personally, having destroyed 2 very rugged utility trailers on that road, I would not ever take a trailer on "that road" until it was paved.
It is very depressing when you break a spring, or trailer frame, and there are no "parts" for many many miles--------VERY DEPRESSING!!!! and can sure
ruin a what is otherwise a fantastic trip.
Barry
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john/gerda
Newbie
Posts: 22
Registered: 11-2-2011
Location: anaheim, ca
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Hi everyone,
Again thanks for the info/help.....
I have a 12 ft Gregor boat with a older, brand unknown ( ok its way older,,Gerda made me put that in ) trailer. 12 inch wheels. a couple leaf
springs, it bounces a bit......
I suspect that it being lightweight and older it should be considered a " fair-weather-trailer" ,,,,,,
Two days to get there on the old roads.....wow......its like a 13 hr drive from TJ i believe........I got to get into camping,,,never really done it,
what i need to do is retire,,,,hahaha but its not gonna be in the near future.....
hope you all enjoy the upcoming weekend...
john/gerda
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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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Tijuana or Tecate to L.A. Bay is a normal 8+ hour drive... but you need to add for towing and the highway construction delays or detours... so 10
hours driving to Bahia de los Angeles... about the same NOW from Mexicali south. Add the 2 hours to get from El Centro to Tecate if you go that way...
12 hours.
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
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My reply is a bit off subject but since the road conditions have been properly dealt with... Have you thought of just going to Gonzaga Bay? Of
course Bahia de Los Angeles is one of THE fishing spots but I personally believe you can have a lot more fun and be more productive with a boat that
size at Gonzaga Bay. A bit safer too. At L.A. Bay with a 12 footer you're not going to get out to the yellowtail high spots or out to the big island
for larger dorado. You'll save a lot of driving time, money, and nuts and bolts too!
Just a thought! Have fun!
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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| Quote: | Originally posted by redhilltown
My reply is a bit off subject but since the road conditions have been properly dealt with... Have you thought of just going to Gonzaga Bay? Of
course Bahia de Los Angeles is one of THE fishing spots but I personally believe you can have a lot more fun and be more productive with a boat that
size at Gonzaga Bay. A bit safer too. At L.A. Bay with a 12 footer you're not going to get out to the yellowtail high spots or out to the big island
for larger dorado. You'll save a lot of driving time, money, and nuts and bolts too!
Just a thought! Have fun! |
The best advice here so far!
I load the boat above the trailer's wheel axle....with the water tanks and other heavy objects.....even rocks! makes the bumpies a little less. Air
down those tires too.
This is a great place to stay...has a ramp too. ....spend a little time exploring the cam...you'll find that it is perfect. BTW....I have the same
boat as you.....duplicated exactly as the one use in the "Baja Catch" book
http://www.mexfish.com/apgs/tbc3/tbc3.htm
http://www.papafernandez.com/
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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john/gerda
Newbie
Posts: 22
Registered: 11-2-2011
Location: anaheim, ca
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here is some additional info on the Trek,,,,,,,,
has recent pictures...........
found it from a post here introducing this S F board........
hope it helps,,,,,
http://www.blueroadrunner.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=...
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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| Quote: | Originally posted by john/gerda
here is some additional info on the Trek,,,,,,,,
has recent pictures...........
found it from a post here introducing this S F board........
hope it helps,,,,,
http://www.blueroadrunner.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=... |
Randy has a good site (blueroadrunner). His website has trusted information.
Dont be afraid of the GB road...even if you break down...there is help!!!!
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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BajaDanD
Senior Nomad
Posts: 745
Registered: 8-30-2003
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I just drove it yesterday it's not the washboard part i'd be worried about it's the rocks, there are some "BAD" rocks on that road. Having said that,
it can be done. I personally would not pull a boat trailer over it unless I had to. Lots and lots of sharp rocks. We just drove back from Asuncion
thought we should go that way for a change. Spent the night in San Felipe then drove home from there. Shortend our trip by maybe 200 miles. Still not
sure if that was worth the risk or the beating we took. I'll post a full trip report in a few days.
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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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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaDanD
I just drove it yesterday it's not the washboard part i'd be worried about it's the rocks, there are some "BAD" rocks on that road. Having said that,
it can be done. I personally would not pull a boat trailer over it unless I had to. Lots and lots of sharp rocks. We just drove back from Asuncion
thought we should go that way for a change. Spent the night in San Felipe then drove home from there. Shortend our trip by maybe 200 miles. Still not
sure if that was worth the risk or the beating we took. I'll post a full trip report in a few days. |
Where exactly... we heard here that the last older rough section (Campo Delfines to Papa Fernandez') had finally been graded by the construction
crews. Thank you!
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Salsa
Nomad
Posts: 180
Registered: 2-4-2003
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Looks like the step going up to the Three Sisters ( a few miles south of Puertecitos) to me as we rode over it in 1980.
The paving at the top was a real surprise.
Don
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BajaDanD
Senior Nomad
Posts: 745
Registered: 8-30-2003
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The bad part is from Gonzaga to Chapala and always has been. Lots of sharp rocks. The road is paved to about 10 miles from Gonzaga if you are going
south, with a new paved part about 2 more miles not opened yet.
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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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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaDanD
The bad part is from Gonzaga to Chapala and always has been. Lots of sharp rocks. The road is paved to about 10 miles from Gonzaga if you are going
south, with a new paved part about 2 more miles not opened yet. |
Okay, thanks for that area of your report. In comparing the 35 miles from Gonzaga to Chapala, I have always found it to be MUCH better, and regularly
maintained compared to the un-maintained portion north of Gonzaga to the new road construction.
I only get to drive it every year or so, so not as frequently perhaps as you. Also, I am in a TRD Off Road 4WD Toyota Tacoma... so the bumps and rocks
are not nearly an issue for me compared to bigger rigs.
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BajaDanD
Senior Nomad
Posts: 745
Registered: 8-30-2003
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I was in a 4 runner this time but no matter how well you maintain the road to Coco's and then from there to Chapala it is still littered with sharp
rocks. My wife's daughter thought it was the worst road she had ever been on that actually went somewhere. But what does she know it was her first
time in Baja south of TJ
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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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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaDanD
I was in a 4 runner this time but no matter how well you maintain the road to Coco's and then from there to Chapala it is still littered with sharp
rocks. My wife's daughter thought it was the worst road she had ever been on that actually went somewhere. But what does she know it was her first
time in Baja south of TJ |
Sounds like she needs more Baja !!
If you run fully inflated and fast, the rocks will flatten tires! Specially the BFGs that come on a Tacoma (Rugged Trail TAs)... We had a flat just as
we neared Hwy. 2 from Coco's in July, 2010. Another flat was on the Punta San Carlos road south of El Rosario that September... Now running Hankook
Dynapro ATMs... no more flats (I hope)!
Seriously, drop the pressure down to 20 psi and the ride and puncture resistance is better!
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