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jedtimesaz
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Registered: 12-6-2010
Location: Phoenix
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Puertecitos to Hwy 1
I'm departing from Phoenix and I'm interested in crossing at Mexicali and traveling south to San Felipe and Puertecitos. What's the road like from
Puertecitos to Hwy 1 junction? I'm driving a 31 foot Bluebird Bus (Wanderlodge). Thanks!
John
[Edited on 12-10-2010 by jedtimesaz]
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David K
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The pavement ends in 20 miles, the next section is ready to open and may be (6 more miles), but the remaining 20 miles to Gonzaga Bay are WAY too
rough for a motorhome... then there is 36 miles more of washboard graded road to Highway 1. It won't be a fun drive for you, I don't think. Maybe in a
few more years? It took them 3 years to build the 20 miles of highway from Puertecitos to El Huerfanito.
See photos and road log posted earlier in this forum (I drove it last in July and others reported back last month following the Baja 1000 which used
it).
Photos of the road and sites, and road log with travel time (in a Tacoma): http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=46887
[Edited on 12-8-2010 by David K]
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David K
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Here are some photos:
The highway between San Felipe and Puertecitos was built in 1982-83 and pavement was added starting about 8 years later, but took a long time to reach
Puertecitos. Because the job was done so poorly, with too little asphalt, the road was pretty torn up in just a few years. Total repaving occurred by
2008, however the roadbed is still full of sharp, sudden dips and high speed driving is not possible. The new highway south from Puertecitos is a
different story!
Here are some photos north of Puertecitos, as we head south…
Now, the brand new section south from Puertecitos that was started in late 2008 and has taken a year and a half to get 20 miles, through some very
difficult terrain…
There are two big, paved parking areas to enjoy the view between Puertecitos and El Huerfanito.
Beyond the sand piles marking the place to detour off the highway, is this warning.
Then, a mile past the sand piles is the unfinished bridge at the absolute end of new highway pavement.
The older road has been regarded along the 6.6 miles where the highway work is progressing, south of the bridge.
We have a lunch break with a view of the Enchanted Islands.
On south we go, 5-15 MPH.
This monument was located south of the Punta Bufeo road.
Bahia San Luis Gonzaga comes into view.
Rancho Grande’s new store… has most everything. The Pemex station was closed for siesta (2-4 pm). We arrived at 2:30… However, I could easily make it
to Cataviña and probably to El Rosario on the tank I filled in San Felipe. It is just a good rule to always top your tank when you come to an open
Pemex in the remote parts of Baja California.
 1.3 miles south of the Pemex and Rancho Grande store is the road to Campo Beluga and Sacrificio.
We drive away from Gonzaga Bay with the goal of reaching Baja Cactus in El Rosario, before dark!
The first boojum trees come onto view.
South of Coco's Corner, the road climbs over a mountain to reach Hwy. 1 at Laguna Chapala... 4WD not needed, but good tires are!
[Edited on 12-8-2010 by David K]
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jedtimesaz
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Hi David, Thanks for the great photos! Does the ungraded road get much worse than depicted in your photos? My 1978 bus is a tank and has very high
clearance and these roads are nothing worse than what I have driven in Arizona. The miles of undeveloped beach and lack of big trucks makes this an
attractive, if very slow, route.
Thanks again
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David K
Honored Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jedtimesaz
Hi David, Thanks for the great photos! Does the ungraded road get much worse than depicted in your photos? My 1978 bus is a tank and has very high
clearance and these roads are nothing worse than what I have driven in Arizona. The miles of undeveloped beach and lack of big trucks makes this an
attractive, if very slow, route.
Thanks again |
Okay, good... I didn't want you to think that it was all paved or smoothed over. It is rougher than it looks, even in a 4WD Tacoma... 5-15 mph for me
(and I like driving fast off road) for the 20 miles north from Gonzaga Bay.
As long as you know what to expect, go for it! Please tell us about your trip when you return!
Have a great time! Campo Beluga is a nice campground (Baja-wise) if you are looking for a place to stay at Gonzaga Bay.
[Edited on 12-8-2010 by David K]
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jedtimesaz
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Will do!
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David K
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Oh, and welcome to Baja Nomad...!!!
Just so you know you are not getting 'special' treatment from me... it is PUERTECITOS  but we all knew what you meant and more people spell it wrong than right, I think! 
There are many things to see around Gonzaga Bay beside the water, if you have a 4WD toad or motorbike... Go to this index page of links to Baja sites
centered around various destinations: http://vivabaja.com/tours/index.html
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jedtimesaz
Newbie
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Registered: 12-6-2010
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Thanks for the correct spelling on Puertecitos! Might grab a dirt bike for side trips. Very much looking forward to exploring the upper eastern coast.
Onward!
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mcfez
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jedtimesaz ...next time you spell Puertecitos incorrectly...David will use a rubber hose on you! Watch this guy......
Funny DavidK, each one of these pictures you posted...I can recognize the spot with ease. Guess I have been down that road way too many times :-)
Great photo essay u did here
Before Puertecitos....stop by and grab a beer n dog at the Cow Patty. Mention my name in there and they will treat you "real well" 
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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bryanmckenzie
Senior Nomad
Posts: 561
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Location: 400 Km from Mexico Beach, Florida
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Mood: Hot & humid --- not hot & dry.
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Excellent photo-inventory, David. Provides a nice reference link for future questions.
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David K
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Thanks... I like your map-photo posts as well! 
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BajaBros
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David, whenever you are at Alfonsina's stop by lot 57. I would really like to meet you.
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thank you... it may be awhile before the economy lets us have too much fun, so if you are around north San Diego County drop me a u2u or email...
beer/ sodas in fridge and Baja books, movies, talk anytime!
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Mulegena
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"I can see the road. We can go a little further."
From those photos, David, the road really changed since I crossed it in 1996.
Everybody in San Felipe and all the guidebooks said it was for 4x4 high-clearance trucks, but there was a need for a wild and beautiful adventure
which motivated me.
That drive provided it.
The roof provided lunch al fresco and a most-excellent vantage to view the miles of purple wildflowers in February.
A couple of unexpected big bumps-- and all the cupboard doors flew open as La Borega nosed into the earth. When we parted with the '65 Dodge 318
there was still oatmeal in the carpets.
Its Baja.
Its Beautiful
[Edited on 12-11-2010 by Mulegena]
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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PT9Baja
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I drove up 5 last March. The washboard sections really get annoying and can rattle parts off any vehicle.We exploded 2 shocks in our F250 and I
thought I was taking it easy. I carry a DR 650 in the back for side trips and going for help if needed. Washboard ,washboard and washboard are your 3
biggest problems on the lower part of the road. Hidden sharp vados on the old pavement can get you. The new stuff is great.
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desertcpl
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my 2 cents,, I wouldnt take a motorhome thru that section, your just asking for problems,, not that you cant make it,, but things will come apart, and
yes its is alot worst than the pixs show
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MoFish
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Mood: Gonzaga dreamin
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the new section is open, Be careful the end is not marked well. it has caused it's first tragedy.
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David K
Honored Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MoFish
the new section is open, Be careful the end is not marked well. it has caused it's first tragedy. |
How about some more details, please?
How long is the next, new section (10 km./ 6 miles) and does it include going over the bridge at the former end of pavement?
What was the 'first tragedy'?
Thank you!!
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redhilltown
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David K...from your pics...I just can't BELIEVE there is a sign that says "Laguna Chapala" on that road!!!! Just doesn't seem right  The final sign of the Apocalypse.
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David K
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Actually, there is also a sign for Laguna Chapala (or was) at Km. 0 near San Felipe... where you turn off the airport road. I think it had three
places: Puertecitos, El Huefanito 100 km., and Laguna Chapala.
Yah... the end of an era for sure...
When they built the graded road from Chapala in to Puerto Calamajue in the early 80's and specially when they built the graded road south from
Puertecitos in '86, was the big change. For the first time allowed easy access with a passenger car to Gonzaga.
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