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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
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"Is it dangerous after dark or just hard to get around?"
Reasons not to drive after dark: it's very dark after sundown (no street lights, no ambient city light) and you can only see a matter of feet beyond
the side of the road, therefore, you can't see the turnoffs that you're looking for. If you do find that sign and dirt road you're looking for, it's
difficult to find a campsite because, again, you can't see very far in the dark. It's cold in winter and animals seek the warmer blacktop and cattle
may be sitting in the road; it's a two-lane road and oncoming headlights from the numerous trucks are blinding; there are few or no shoulders on the
road so sudden swerving to miss something may land you upside down over a cliff; other drivers who are DUI, speeding, driving down the middle of the
road, towing something wide, are constant hazards and in the dark even more so; you can hit fog patches where you can only see 15 ft. ahead of you; I
believe about half the traffic on Mex. 1 is comprised of motorhomes, buses and huge trucks which take up at least all of their lane and some of yours,
so it's always nerve-wracking, and in the dark, death defying (!). Large trucks trying to get over the mountain passes slow to about 10 mph. The
mountain passes are very curvy, so passing the slow-moving trucks is very hazardous, and it's difficult to determine the speed and distance of the
oncoming cars in the opposite lane, especially in the dark. And in Baja, you can get fierce strong winds pushing you around, or rain which puddles in
the vados. Every "Curva Peligrosa" sign means it.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64722
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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You also miss seeing... everything!!! Drive at daytime south of El Rosario!
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larry
Nomad
Posts: 233
Registered: 8-22-2005
Location: Orinda, CA
Member Is Offline
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Wilderone--very good analysis
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bajaboolie
Nomad
Posts: 277
Registered: 9-24-2007
Location: Aptos, CA/Mulege
Member Is Offline
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And people seem to have no issues passing cars on a blind curve in those mountains. But that's dangerous day or night. 
Bajaboolie
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
Member Is Offline
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This time of the year it is cooler on the Pacific side but still beautiful. You might want to consider a side trip in to Asuncion or Abreojos. San
Ignacio is a desert oasis that has a lake and great camping spots. Conception Bay is great this time of the year and offers great camping spots where
you can see crystal clear water and there are places which offer some protection from the northern winds that come this time of the year. If the wind
is blowing on the Sea of Cortez side, sometimes it is very nice on the Pacific side so stay real flexible and explore, ask lots of questions, and
enjoy yourself.
We come from Colorado every year and have found the most effecient and time saving route is Denver, Alburquerque, Flagstaff,Phoenix, Gila Bend,
Yuma, El Centro, and then cross at Tecate. The Guadalupe valley is like the wine country of California and is a real treat. You are two days to the
border and at least two days to get into Baja so that takes up 8 days of driving so you really have a week to explore this vast and diverse land.
Why if you only got as far as the Catavina boulder fields and the Cirio and Cardon cactus forests your trip would be a great experience. If you get
to Santa Rosalia and see a white Dodge truck with Colorado plates that read BAJATRK, be sure to wave or honk.
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G-Rock
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: 12-10-2007
Member Is Offline
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Wow! Thanks for all the suggestions and support. This site really is a great wealth of info and companionship. Great advice about driving at night
too. Daytime driving it is! I bought an inflatable kayak yesterday and I’ll be packing along my snorkel gear. I’m really starting to get excited!
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vivaloha
Nomad
Posts: 140
Registered: 11-12-2007
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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Pump it up G-Rock - the inflatable that is!
In a new car like that, dusty dirty is the only way...
Camp out of viz of the main road to avoid night time "visitors"...
All these dudes think Cabo is too far...Its not...just bust
down there if that's what you want...my take on things-
warm water, warm sand, mellow vibe - go to the east cape
on the tip...bring a tent...you'll find your way...yeah, you'll
be driving a lot but at least when you get to Land's End,
you'll be like - wow! Do the USA driving on a binge basis
and then get one good night sleep before crossing in Tecate...
Head to Land's End - East cape - you won't be sorry you did...
HW
Baja California can be a heaven or hell experience - often the determining factor is your AWARENESS in the moment.
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: In love!
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Don't camp until you get to or past El Rosario to avoid crime prone areas and heed vivaloha's advice on camping out of sight. There is the best motel
in Baja (Baja Cactus) in El Rosario and inexpensive! Ask how to get to the nearby La Lobera sea lion crater and coastline. Also don't leave anything
out of the car when you are away from it. Just common sense will keep you out of trouble.
If you get stopped by cops and they want to collect the "fine" right there, stall them by insisting to go to the station to pay and they will probably
go away.
Visit http://www.vivabaja.com/ (the site of David K on this forum, the most prolific and friendly poster), for more places to see. (DK, that will be $5
please) 
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
Member Is Offline
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Neal, that is a great idea for a newbie. Look at all of David K's Pictures and commentary and you should get a real feel for some of the great parts
of the Baja. David captures the spirit of Baja really well. This is a really exciting place and it is so vast that you can only begin to experience
parts of it, so open your eyes and your heart and leave your preconceived ideas at home but be a little wary like a fox and you should do fine.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64722
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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You guys are so nice!!
I am happy to help, share, contribute... come on over for a cold Pacifico or Dos Equis Special Lager or Tijuana Morena (that's what's in my fridge
right now... may be gone when you get here!)
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G-Rock
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: 12-10-2007
Member Is Offline
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Thanks for the great tips!
I've decided that tackling the Baja for the first time alone is not what I had in mind for a Merry Christmas. I've decide instead to revisit my
beloved Nicaragua where I have some good friends and a beach house waiting for me.
I plan on spending the next few months setting up my Toyota 4x4 for a long spring trip of camping and surfing the Baja.
Thanks again everyone and I'll see you in the spring!
Happy Holidays,
Greg
[Edited on 12-15-2007 by G-Rock]
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Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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Greg, when you get down to Nicaragua post some pictures. Was thinking of doing Nicaragua but I did the Costa Rica trip and it was a great place,
friendly people, great beaches, casinos, get food, cold cold beer and just no problems that my family or I ran into. Nicaragua worries me after
Daniel Noriega got into power again as President. Just do not know what to expect, make sure you post and do some pictures if you would. I really
enjoyed Ken's pictures of Columbia. Later----bajafun777
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