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Paulclark
Nomad
Posts: 357
Registered: 10-13-2008
Location: Castillo de Arena
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Puertocitos to Gonzaga Bay and Lake Chapala
Just drove south from Puertocitos to Gonzaga Bay -- not a lot of fun. The first 6 miles are paved, the next 6 miles are under construction and you
wander through the construction site and the last 40 miles are ugly --- gnarly rocks hungry for your side walls and very slow going -- 5mph for a lot
of it. From Gonzaga to Coco's corner is fair using the side roads with a 20+ average speed, slowly getting better closer to Coco's and then after
Coco's it is good -- 40 mph. From there south to Cabo the road is in great shape.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64589
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thanks for the new road report!
Puertecitos south to Gonzaga is a tough land to build a road over!
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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We did that trip in our Lance Cabover Camper rig... it took us over 6 hours to get from San Felipe to Gonzaga Bay. But, what a beautiful area to
behold! We campted at Papa's place for four days and explored all around that area. One of the best places in Baja!
Did you stop at Cowpatties?
Bob H
[Edited on 6-8-2009 by Bob H]
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Paulclark
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Posts: 357
Registered: 10-13-2008
Location: Castillo de Arena
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We stopped and spent the night at Alfonsina's. This was the first time we have been there since 1991 so interesting to see the changes and refresh
our memory of its beauty. It was nice being back in the old Baja, where doors don't lock and the accomodation is pretty funky but you feel safe,
secure and welcome. -- Not like the 5 star isolation. We had to move on as we had commitments in Cabo so couldn't stay and explore. The locals
expect the road to be completed and paved in 5 years. It is very tough road building country but they had some big equipment in moving the mountains.
Paul
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64589
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The view from Alfonsina's restaurant is a great one...
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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It's an adventure!!! One heck-uv-a wild ride! 
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Curt63
Super Nomad
Posts: 1171
Registered: 3-28-2009
Location: San Diego, Ca.
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Mood: Fish tacos and Tecate
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That road kicked our ass 2 weeks ago (towing a trailer with 2 utility quads). Took a long sober 7 hours Puertocitos to Chapala. 4x4 was a must with a
trailer (steep sections)
No worries
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Pacifico
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 5-26-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Curt63
That road kicked our burro 2 weeks ago (towing a trailer with 2 utility quads). Took a long sober 7 hours Puertocitos to Chapala. 4x4 was a must with
a trailer (steep sections) |
I think I see the problem.....you were sober!!! If you weren't you could have made it in 2 hours!!!! Just kidding......
[Edited on 6-17-2009 by Pacifico]
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Paulclark
Nomad
Posts: 357
Registered: 10-13-2008
Location: Castillo de Arena
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Trailers and washboard don't mix. Last time I tried a trailer on washboard I ended up in Bahia Tortuga for a couple days fixing broken springs. Two
ATV's on a tandem trailer and broke 4 springs on that trip.
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Pacifico
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 5-26-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paulclark
Trailers and washboard don't mix. Last time I tried a trailer on washboard I ended up in Bahia Tortuga for a couple days fixing broken springs. Two
ATV's on a tandem trailer and broke 4 springs on that trip. |
I totally agree!!! I've had my share of trailer problems in the dirt as well. My worst time was breaking an axle on a boat trailer out on the dirt -
what a PITA!!!!
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
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how about that road and touring bicycles? I host cyclists through Warmshowers.org, recently had Swiss guests who were cycling south to north
(actually Switzerland to Switzerland round the world, but that's another story) who plan to do the route. having had one set whose review was
'horrible, horrible, horrible' I discouraged it, but...
they promised to email how it went. will let you know.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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Curt63
Super Nomad
Posts: 1171
Registered: 3-28-2009
Location: San Diego, Ca.
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Mood: Fish tacos and Tecate
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As a former trithlete/cyclist I will phrase this as carefully as I can.
When the "planners" of the roads and highways of baja were planning their roads, I dont think they even remotely considered the needs of cyclists.
I respect the desires of people that want to cycle, but I had 3 close calls that could have been serious if I had not slowed and yielded in order to
protect the cyclist.
CYCLING ON MEX 1 IS REALLY DANGEROUS. However, I have never cycled it and would encourage you to speak to people that have.
After 35 years of continual hard use , maintenance and repairs, most paved roads are very problematic (narrow, curvy and no shoulder) for bicycles.
But, you asked about a specific road I traveled 2 weeks ago. It has some fairly steep, rocky (orange to grapefruit size) , soft, wet(construction) and
sandy sections. It is no place for narrow tires! You will definately have to get off and walk certain sections.
Having said that, it is a far better place for cyclists than Mex 1.
Have a safe trip!
No worries
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baitcast
Super Nomad
Posts: 1785
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: kingman AZ.
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Mood: good
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It may be now but in the 60,s thu early 80,s this was reality,last climb of the three sisters,no place for man nor beast let alone a cyclists
Rob
[Edited on 6-17-2009 by baitcast]
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Curt63
Super Nomad
Posts: 1171
Registered: 3-28-2009
Location: San Diego, Ca.
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Mood: Fish tacos and Tecate
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Dang!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn't see anything nearly that bad 2 weeks ago.
No worries
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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Cool picture, Rob. Things have gotten a lot better now but you can still see how it could have been like that not to long ago. I actually envy your
trips down to Papa's in the 60's. No disrespect on the other thread was intended.
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baitcast
Super Nomad
Posts: 1785
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: kingman AZ.
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Mood: good
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I always knew what Lewis and Clark must have felt like at the end of their trip:lol r Rocky at the top of the last climb.
I had never done things like that,it was high adventure for us and than the rewards when we got there!!
Rob
I ran into the pic the other day,its a pic by Bob H 3 or 4 years ago.
Other wise known as the dreaded ledge
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Pacifico
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 5-26-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by baitcast
It may be now but in the 60,s thu early 80,s this was reality,last climb of the three sisters,no place for man nor beast let alone a cyclists
Rob
[Edited on 6-17-2009 by baitcast] |
Baitcast - Where is this road / the 3 sisters? Thanks!!!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64589
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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This is near the top of one of the 'Gonzaga Grades' (or 'sisters' as some called them)... Number 6 on the map, I believe?
Cliff Cross illustrated them well in his 1970 Baja guide...
The road we use now was built in 1986-87 and allowed 2WD to safely get south of Puertecitos for the first time.
[Edited on 6-18-2009 by David K]
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Pacifico
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 5-26-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
This is near the top of one of the 'Gonzaga Grades' (or 'sisters' as some called them)... Number 6 on the map, I believe?
Cliff Cross illustrated them well in his 1970 Baja guide...
The road we use now was built in 1986-87 and allowed 2WD to safely get south of Puertecitos for the first time.
[Edited on 6-18-2009 by David K] |
Cool map! I've been down that road many times, but don't recognize that section. They must have bypassed it or really tore into that section??? Does
anyone know if that old section is still there?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64589
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Pacifico
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
This is near the top of one of the 'Gonzaga Grades' (or 'sisters' as some called them)... Number 6 on the map, I believe?
Cliff Cross illustrated them well in his 1970 Baja guide...
The road we use now was built in 1986-87 and allowed 2WD to safely get south of Puertecitos for the first time.
[Edited on 6-18-2009 by David K] |
Cool map! I've been down that road many times, but don't recognize that section. They must have bypassed it or really tore into that section??? Does
anyone know if that old section is still there? |
Pacifico, that road was replaced in 1987... you would have had to drive south of Puertecitos before 1986 to experience it. That grade with the cut on
top is just north of El Huerfanito. The newer road is slightly west of it and on the opposite canyonside in places.
Here is a photo of me driving down the steep face of one of the grades (northbound) in 1974...
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