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Wanderglobe
Nomad
Posts: 122
Registered: 8-30-2011
Location: On The Road
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The Road to Gonzaga Bay
I had been in San Felipe working out some bus issues and getting some other things done but, as you can see, I had been here a bit too long so I
decided to head south to Gonzaga Bay.
I packed up some gear and started on the roughly 150 KM trip south. Part way through I had to stop for refreshments and there was no better place than
a cantina that had a bus parked outside advertising my favorite elixir.
The road was smooth sailing and in good shape, having recently been paved, and it was an enjoyable drive with the bus handling well...for the most
part.
At the following GPS co-ordinate the paved road stopped and the gravel road began.
http://fms.ws/7JtFv/29.9383N/114.52591W
It was slow going and a bumpy ride but the scenery was lovely. Still, it was getting on in the day so I didn't have time to hang around snapping pics.
I didn't want to be driving these roads at night.
After about an hour of slogging slowly down the dirt road I crested a hill, rounded a bend and passed through a military check point. Beyond that was
Gonzaga Bay. I had no idea where to camp or what was offered so I took a drive out past the mainly ex-pat houses until I came to the end of the road
with a sand spit and a hotel.
I thought I had seen an RV park sign back up the road so I went in that direction but as it was getting dark I couldn't quite make out the road. When
I realized I was heading towards the beach it was too late.
Ah well, I'd just try and rustle up some help in the morning and bunk down in the bus for the night. It wasn't all that bad a location to get bogged
down mind you.
And the morning view out of the front window wasn't to be scoffed at either.
After a quick coffee I hopped on my bike and rode into the town and was able to recruit some kind Americans to help bail me out of the sand.
***IMPORTANT NOTE*** Bring a shovel, air pump, tire guage and rope when you travel off the beaten path. Don't drive at night and let the air out of
your tires OR you will feel like a complete idiot. This comes from experience.
The folks told me about a camp up the road called El Sacrificios that had recently gone through some renovations. They had cabins for rent as well as
dry camping palapas although they did put my near an outlet so that I could plug in. The cabins were $60 per night and the palapas were $15. They
advertise hot showers but those are only in the cabins. It's cold, salt water for the palapas but I'm sure you could rangle the use of one of the
cabins if needed.
I spent 2 nights here but with a terrible wind storm I was only able to get the kayak into the water for all of about 30 minutes. There were some nice
beaches in the distance that would have been great to visit and kayaking around the island back by the main town looked amazing as well. There are
sometimes whales, whale sharks, dolphins and there are seals here. I could hear them at night.
I finally had to give up with all the wind blowing and I made my way back to San Felipe to get a mis firing issue sussed out with the bus and to take
a warm shower. I'm also going to hold off on taking the bus down these types of roads when possible, it's too hard on it. There will be video soon to
follow.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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WG,
Where is this ?
Don't believe everything you think....
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
Posts: 2396
Registered: 10-26-2008
Location: yuma,az
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I think DK had advised you in an earler tread about bringing
Shovel
Air pump
tire gauge
rope or strap
tire repair kit
some blocks of wood for the jack
oh forgot air down
[Edited on 3-19-2012 by desertcpl]
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mcpuitar
Junior Nomad
Posts: 37
Registered: 3-16-2010
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Nice post, great pics! Don't kick yourself too much for forgetting a few important items...at least you had your trusty bicycle.
McPedro
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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It's been my experience in the long past that those old VW buses can handle anything those rough roads throw at them, with the exception of soft sand
or mud-------they are tough vehicles, and can handle the old dirt Gonzaga Road many times over, I am thinking.
Great trip report and photos, for sure.
Thanks
Barry
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bufeo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 793
Registered: 11-16-2003
Location: Santa Fe New Mexico
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Nice report and photos.
Allen R
"motoged", if I may be so bold as to answer your question to WG about that arroyo, I believe that's looking north and is the cut leading down into
Salvatierra arroyo just south of Campo Los Delfines.
[Edited on 3-19-2012 by bufeo]
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TMW
Select Nomad
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Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Half of a good time is getting stuck and the other half is getting out. You had a good time thanks for sharing.
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Wanderglobe
Nomad
Posts: 122
Registered: 8-30-2011
Location: On The Road
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| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
WG,
Where is this ?
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That's the dirt road returning from Gonzaga Bay to the paved highway. It may be part of a detour as it was close to where the work was being done.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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My guess is that is Arroyo Mal de Orín (on the Baja Almanac) just south of Campo Delfines.
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Wanderglobe
Nomad
Posts: 122
Registered: 8-30-2011
Location: On The Road
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| Quote: | Originally posted by desertcpl
I think DK had advised you in an earler tread about bringing
Shovel
Air pump
tire gauge
rope or strap
tire repair kit
some blocks of wood for the jack
oh forgot air down
[Edited on 3-19-2012 by desertcpl] |
I repeat:
"you will feel like a complete idiot. This comes from experience. "
No need to rub it in further.
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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Looks you had a great trip otherwise and thanks for posting. Agreed, nice view in the morning...
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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Wanderglobe
Nomad
Posts: 122
Registered: 8-30-2011
Location: On The Road
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaWarrior
Looks you had a great trip otherwise and thanks for posting. Agreed, nice view in the morning... |
Thanks. It was a pretty good trip just unfortunate with the wind.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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at least you were able to have some fun, wind or not.
now, if you'd turn that surfboard upside down there will still be some wax on it when you need to ride it. 
edit: i had a '68 that was pretty good in baja. i like yours!
[Edited on 3-20-2012 by woody with a view]
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Marc
Ultra Nomad
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Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
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Great pictures! You had what is called an adventure. There's something about those VW vans! Love 'em. Although I never had one. My buddy followed me
down to Loreto once about 18 years ago in his but he couldn't keep up. If I had one now I would kit the motor for near double the horsepower put on
beefy tires.
Back before the road was paved I trashed the skid plate on the Tundra and rattled the bolts of of my grill guard. We pulled several LOCALS out of the
sand at Gonzaga. Yes we had tow ropes.
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AZMIKE
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 3-1-2012
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Gonzaga trip
You talked about a military check point just before Gonzaga. Did they require FMM's or similar or were they just checking for drugs?
We are heading down to Gonzaga in May.
Beautiful pics.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Wanderglobe, Thanks for the report and the pictures.
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bonanza bucko
Senior Nomad
Posts: 587
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Airport Bum
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The military check points....including the one here at Gonzaga Bay...don't ask for FMMs. They are checking for drugs and weapons. The soldiers are
uniformly pleasant and professional...ver nice young kids.
BB:-)
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bonanza bucko
The military check points....including the one here at Gonzaga Bay...don't ask for FMMs. They are checking for drugs and weapons. The soldiers are
uniformly pleasant and professional...ver nice young kids.
BB:-) |
X2 
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bonanza bucko
The military check points....including the one here at Gonzaga Bay...don't ask for FMMs. They are checking for drugs and weapons. The soldiers are
uniformly pleasant and professional...ver nice young kids.
BB:-) |
man I wish these ver nice young kids would set up shop somewhere else. those of us across the bay get stopped comin and goin every trip to the
ranch!
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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I know this is a bone of contention for David, but the military can and will ask for identification (especially at Tomatol). It has not happened to
me at Ranch Grande.
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