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Author: Subject: Highway 5, north of Laguna Chapala
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[*] posted on 6-13-2017 at 09:36 PM


Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
[/rquote]

LOL, I learned to drive at 12, taught by my 13 year old friend. At that age we went far in trucks on our own. Things are different living in the boonies where pre-teen kids can roam 20+ miles from home on their own in a truck and never see another car. At that age and place, all kids got themselves around and were smart about it.

[Edited on 6-14-2017 by mtgoat666]


I wish I'd learned to drive from a teenager. Imagine the breadth of experience they could have shared!
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[*] posted on 7-26-2017 at 04:32 PM


Great video. Drove north on 6/27 towing a boat and it took 1:45 to traverse the unpaved section. Very much worth the extra time as compared to the potholes on Mex 1.
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[*] posted on 7-28-2017 at 09:25 AM


It has been over three years that the paved drive has not been extended. There is some distance the highway has been paved but not open. Hard to believe this section was more difficult than the volcanoes south of Puertecitos that they blazed through in 2007-2010. The 10 km./year average of newly opened pavement is not the case anymore. I expect a section to open very soon... at least to Las Arrastras? That's where the road leaves the new highway alignment and shoots to Coco's Corner.






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[*] posted on 7-29-2017 at 07:19 PM


Great video! Thanks. Answered all my questions except where do I get my FMM southbound in Mexicali. I haven't been on Hwy 5 for nearly 30 years but it sure looks like it will cut some time off my trips to La Paz.



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[*] posted on 7-29-2017 at 07:31 PM


I am not familiar with Mexicali East, but when I crossed south at Mexicali West last fall, it was a snap.

I was in the far left lane, asked the agent where to go, and she pointed to a building just past the entry on the left. There was a small parking spot for my Kia, and no line!

Total crossing time, including paying for my FFM right where I got it, was about 15 minutes




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[*] posted on 7-29-2017 at 08:01 PM


The INM building is always right where your vehicle enters Mexico. Usually on the right, but as mentioned, Mexicali downtown is on the left... immediately after the covered entry, red/green light area. You may need to double park as there are very few spots to park.



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[*] posted on 7-29-2017 at 08:20 PM


Is there a bank next door or do I have to go find one? East, West crossings? Its been nearly 30 years.



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[*] posted on 7-29-2017 at 08:31 PM


No bank necessary! I paid the agent directly with pesos, but I think US dollars would have worked as well.

He even filled out the form for me!

The west crossing is the original port of entry. The crossing east of town is newer, and from what I understand is more RV accessible. I was going to use it for my first time, but I needed a wifi hotspot, and could not find one there, so I crossed at the one in mid town.



[Edited on 7-30-2017 by AKgringo]




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[*] posted on 7-30-2017 at 06:43 AM


Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
No bank necessary! I paid the agent directly with pesos, but I think US dollars would have worked as well.

He even filled out the form for me!

The west crossing is the original port of entry. The crossing east of town is newer, and from what I understand is more RV accessible. I was going to use it for my first time, but I needed a wifi hotspot, and could not find one there, so I crossed at the one in mid town.



[Edited on 7-30-2017 by AKgringo]


Exactly, the INM officers have their own cash box and have been taking payments for the tourist cards for five years. The other "new" thing is that the 180 day (pay) one does not need to be returned or mailed back as was the case before. Only the free 7-day tourist card is supposed to be returned. However, the Tijuana INM has told some here (apparently) that even it can be tossed. Mexicali INM was very firm it was to be returned and our passports were scanned. We returned ours at Tecate, and the passports were scanned then also.




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[*] posted on 7-30-2017 at 09:46 AM


Thank you for the great responses. Now I can't wait to give it a try. I have to bring my truck home soon to get it's smog test done so I'll definitely try this route. Can't wait to see how much San Felipe has changed in 30 years. I imagine its easy enough to do but just in case I want to smell the roses, is there lodging between GN and San Felipe?



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[*] posted on 7-30-2017 at 09:55 AM


Quote: Originally posted by Alan  
Thank you for the great responses. Now I can't wait to give it a try. I have to bring my truck home soon to get it's smog test done so I'll definitely try this route. Can't wait to see how much San Felipe has changed in 30 years. I imagine its easy enough to do but just in case I want to smell the roses, is there lodging between GN and San Felipe?


*Villa Jesus Maria has a 3-room hotel next to the highway.
*Nuevo Rosarito has rooms reported, as well (I have not seen those).
*Santa Rosalillita has a little motel, 9 paved miles west of Hwy. 1.
*Many many places in L.A. Bay, but 40 paved miles east of Hwy. 1.
*Gonzaga Bay has a nice motel at Alfonsina's, cabins at El Sacrificio, and rooms at Punta Bufeo, 5 miles north.




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[*] posted on 7-31-2017 at 10:11 AM


Nice video, last time I was on that section was in 1995, the washboard was so bad my passenger took to drinking Presidente--after an hour most the brandy was gone and he was turning green, pulled over to let him blow chunks, saw a little sandy arroyo, was getting late in the day anyway, and decided we better camp. I put up his tent, shoved him in and spent a lovely evening watching the moon and stars and gazillions of different night insects, just another day in Baja!
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[*] posted on 7-31-2017 at 10:20 AM


Quote: Originally posted by Mexitron  
Nice video, last time I was on that section was in 1995, the washboard was so bad my passenger took to drinking Presidente--after an hour most the brandy was gone and he was turning green, pulled over to let him blow chunks, saw a little sandy arroyo, was getting late in the day anyway, and decided we better camp. I put up his tent, shoved him in and spent a lovely evening watching the moon and stars and gazillions of different night insects, just another day in Baja!


Ah, the good times!!
I will be over this road soon and will post any changes once I have Internet again.





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[*] posted on 7-31-2017 at 10:25 AM


heard yesterday that more road was open and about 5 miles of dirt left. Anyone else anything.
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[*] posted on 7-31-2017 at 10:55 AM


About time! LOL. I will do a GPS track of it so we can see the difference between its route and the original route. Thank you.



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[*] posted on 7-31-2017 at 11:43 AM


Quote: Originally posted by David K  
About time! LOL. I will do a GPS track of it so we can see the difference between its route and the original route. Thank you.


Looking at the video, you can see the old Highway 5 share the new highway alignment in several places.




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[*] posted on 7-31-2017 at 01:28 PM


Yes, I am more interested in seeing how the Coc's Corner bypass looks in real time.

Here is how I showed it a year or so ago, estimated:





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[*] posted on 7-31-2017 at 08:45 PM


Drove that today and it seemed a good deal rougher than the video suggests.

Won't do it again, I don't hate my car.




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[*] posted on 7-31-2017 at 09:15 PM


Quote: Originally posted by tehag  
Drove that today and it seemed a good deal rougher than the video suggests.

Won't do it again, I don't hate my car.


Only 5 miles of dirt as reported or still 23?

[Edited on 8-1-2017 by David K]




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[*] posted on 8-1-2017 at 03:33 AM


this might be the rumor of the month,,,,,,,,,,5 miles of dirt ??? Not 23, I figured this would be front page news,,,,,,,,this must be " fake news"
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