armendds
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 7-14-2006
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driving to Loreto
I want to go to loreto via San Felipe. Has anyone gone down south this route instead using the hw 1 via Ensenada? I purchase a GPS map and it shows
an unpaved road connecting to the main highway. Does anyone know how bad the road is and if you can go as fast as the main highway? Thanks
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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that road is a very slow rough way to go but if you like off roding and are equipped for it it is a good Baja adventure.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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jimgrms
Senior Nomad
Posts: 664
Registered: 9-30-2005
Location: oceanside ca
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Mood: its always good
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some of the faster baja racers might be able to if nothing breaks save your self trouble take hwy 1 if you are on a tight sced also some times
gas is unavailable see bruces post a real adventure
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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Jim is right that rode is a peace that you need to have good equipment and back ups. I would not even go it alone it is better with 2 well equipped
vehicles you can plan on at least 2 flat tires and other problems.
oh yes I know some one is going to come on here and write that they made it just fine in there Mini cooper or 535I or something But the only reason
for going down that rode is just to see if you can make it.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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rts551
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 9-5-2003
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Bruce
Not true. We take that road every winter (when it is not hot) because it cuts 200 miles off our commute from Tucson. The road is washboard but
otherwise very safe. Just go slow.. Most of the time our commute time is the same with less miles. If you drive like a maniac you will break
something. Go slow and it is nice and peacefull and bypasses all the traffic (Ensanada etc)
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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I agreee with rts551 - take it easy and save a lot of miles - see some great country.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Bob and jane
Nomad
Posts: 272
Registered: 3-25-2004
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Bob and I came down that way last year (our first time on the road had been going north at least 10 years earlier) on the way down and won't do it
again for a long time. Mind-numbing washboards, slow, slow, slow. After awhile I couldn't even enjoy the scenery, I just wanted it to be over. We
do lots of washboards in Baja--20 miles here, 50 miles there. But this was the worst. Couldn't get on top of them, just creeping and bouncing. The
only way to make it bearable is to plan on stopping for overnights two or three times. There are lots of great beaches for overnighting. We were
loaded down and "coming home" and it was not the right choice for us. You might save miles, you'll never save time.
Good luck.
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
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Mood: mellow
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All the people I've met here in Loreto that have come that way, swear that they'll never do it again. Tough going and very hard on equipment, even
pick-ups and SUV's. And murder if you're trying to tow anything.
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
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Everybody has to make the SF-Gonzaga trip at least once. Years from now when it is paved over and developed, we'll all swear it was the best
experience of our lives - regardless of how we felt during the time we were being jarred by the bumps. I made the trip two years ago and stayed
overnight at two places. I'm glad I did. I did it in a VW bus going about 35 mph the whole way, but I wouldn't do it like that in any vehicle loaded
down or actually worth anything. I liked how I was able to sip on a bottle of Pacifico while cruising without having to look out for the fuzz all the
time. The good-old-days re-lived.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Bunch of Babies!
It's BAJA!!!
The adventure is not the destination, but the journey!!!
Jeeze, take a jet plane if you don't care about what lies between the border and Loreto...
What would you have done in 1966... ? Then it was a 5 day drive to Loreto.
armendds:
It is paved for 165 miles south of Mexicali, then about 12 miles of very annoying pot-holed or missing pavement to Puertecitos (hot springs that mix
with sea water out on the point).
The next 50 miles to Gonzaga Bay is over a graded dirt highway built in 1986 to replace the true rough 4WD trail over the volcanic ridges which offer
incredible views of the gulf and the Enchanted Islands. It is no place to be in a hurry... remember this is Mexico.
Gonzaga Bay is a jewel... Alfonsina's has a motel and restaurant/ bar right on the sand beach. Campo Beluga and Rancho Grande offer camping palapas.
Papa Fernadez' has a retaurant and a photo of John Wayne taken with the late Papa in the 60's... If the Duke liked it there, so will you!
From Gonzaga to Hwy. 1 at Laguna Chapala it is about 36 miles over a good graded dirt road... between the two points is Coco's Corner and the
legendary one-legged Coco. Stop and have a beer, sign his guest book, admire his desert oasis made from beer cans!
It is a lot shorter distance drive, but from El Centro or ? it will take the same amount of time (or more) to reach Laguna Chapala, where Hwy. 1 and
Hwy. 5 meet.
BAJA is an experience, not just a place!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Photos of what you miss by taking Hwy. 1
South of Puertecitos, view of the Echanted Islands...
Example of that 'bad' road, 20 miles south of Puertecitos...
Gonzaga Bay at Alfonsina's Resort...
Leaving Gonzaga Baja on the dirt highway...
Coco's Corner...
Signing Coco's Guestbook...
[Edited on 7-15-2006 by David K]
[Edited on 7-15-2006 by David K]
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eetdrt88
Senior Nomad
Posts: 986
Registered: 2-20-2005
Location: Az/Ca/Baja
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yeah David!
i agree 100%...this is probably one of the only areas in baja still virtually untouched by man and if you get a chance to see it,dont pass it
up....the only catch is you cant be in a hurry,best just to ease up and take it all in....i've met some of the most helpful folks i've ever known
right there on that road and also helped a few out myself...for those that like the outback this are is highly recomended
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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And I love the road... I go slow and enjoy
[Edited on 7-15-2006 by rts551]
[Edited on 7-15-2006 by rts551]
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