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Bwk94510
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Road to Scorpion Bay/ San Juanico
Hello all-
As I mentioned in an earlier post I'm planning a roadtrip on my motorcycle to Cabo in late Feb/early March. I have a friend who wants to meet me in
San Juanico for a few days of surfing. He drives a Honda CRV- nothing "off-road" about this car - more of a grocery getter. So the question is-
what's the road like once we come off the main highway to San Juanico? I'll be on my KTM so I'm not concerned about the drive- but looking for your
thoughts on him driving his car. How long is the dirt road section?
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JZ
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He won't have a problem at all.
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AKgringo
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Where does your friend plan on leaving hwy 1? It is possible to reach San Juanico without leaving pavement, if they travel far enough south.
There are several other routes from the north and east that vary in level of maintenance and overall condition.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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David K
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It is about 106 miles from San Ignacio to San Juanico. 30 miles are paved on the north end. The low or Salina road is 2 miles longer, often preferred
but only with a 4WD because of possible mud issues.
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Bwk94510
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Neither of us have been there before so not sure what the right rout is. I'd like to ride some dirt for a while so want to take the dirt road route-
which I assume is quicker than the all pavement way...
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David K
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Staying on pavement all the way adds at least 140 miles of driving (estimated) as it is a long-ways-around that way. Because of your friend's car, I
also wouldn't recommend any other dirt road to San Juanico (over the mountains from Mulegé or the cross-over road through La Purísima). Stick with
the graded High Road per reports here. Weather and time quickly changes conditions... so keep that in mind, too! Driving slow if the road is rocky
will prevent damage and driving fast if the road is corrugated (washboard) with smooth things out (as well as letting some air out of the tires if you
have a pump to refill them).
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JZ
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I assumed you were taking pavement all the way.
Not sure I'd take a CRV on the dirt route.
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motoged
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Be careful around the silt beds near Cuarenta on the high road.
Don't believe everything you think....
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4x4abc
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Quote: Originally posted by David K  | | Staying on pavement all the way adds at least 140 miles of driving (estimated) as it is a long-ways-around that way. Because of your friend's car, I
also wouldn't recommend any other dirt road to San Juanico (over the mountains from Mulegé or the cross-over road through La Purísima). Stick with
the graded High Road per reports here. Weather and time quickly changes conditions... so keep that in mind, too! Driving slow if the road is rocky
will prevent damage and driving fast if the road is corrugated (washboard) with smooth things out (as well as letting some air out of the tires if you
have a pump to refill them). |
driving fast on washboard is the worst advice you can give anyone.
Flat tires and car damage guaranteed.
I know it "feels better"
but it is bad for the road and bad for the car
Harald Pietschmann
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mtgoat666
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| Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Staying on pavement all the way adds at least 140 miles of driving (estimated) as it is a long-ways-around that way. Because of your friend's car, I
also wouldn't recommend any other dirt road to San Juanico (over the mountains from Mulegé or the cross-over road through La Purísima). Stick with
the graded High Road per reports here. Weather and time quickly changes conditions... so keep that in mind, too! Driving slow if the road is rocky
will prevent damage and driving fast if the road is corrugated (washboard) with smooth things out (as well as letting some air out of the tires if you
have a pump to refill them). |
driving fast on washboard is the worst advice you can give anyone.
Flat tires and car damage guaranteed.
I know it "feels better"
but it is bad for the road and bad for the car |
i can attest that high speed driving on washboard road often leads to flat tires. hard to see/avoid rocks when driving 50 mph. i have found that
flats/tire damage on unpaved roads are most frequent at high speeds.
i also find that if my car is full of camping gear and kayaks/boards on roof, the high speed washboard travel and related vibration often flocks
everything up. better to go slow and avoid damage.
Woke!
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will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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David K
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Fast was a relative term. I have never heard or experienced driving slow on washboard roads as being a good thing. I will read your website again more
carefully, Harald! Thank you.
I advised SLOW on rocky sections, goat.
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jamiec
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Bwk94510: I was at SB this summer. If you are planning on stopping while you are heading south, the North road is doable on both a bike and in a CRV.
I'd recommend downloading maps.me app and following the North road from San Ignacio. Lots of washboards for the first 10-15 miles. There is a
moon-dust section that is was easy to go around and it was only about 20 meters long.
If you want to go the longer way, follow 1 from San Ignacio --> Santa Rosalia --> Mulege --> Loreto --> Ciudad Insurgentes then back
north to San Juanico. This way is all on pavement and you will pass some beautiful beaches south of Mulege. This might be the best bet in Feb or
March as there could be storms in that time that make the N. road tough to get through, but who knows.
I wouldn't recommend taking the dirt road south of Mulege across to La Purisma in the vehicles you have. I'm sure some will, but I wouldn't unless I
was in my 4x4 truck.
If you are going to stop at SB on the way back north from Cabo, follow these directions for zero offroad driving:
https://www.scorpionbayhotel.com/driving
Lots of people miss the left turn to San Juanico and keep going straight to La Purisma which may or may not have some water crossings to get to SB.
There were two water crossings according to some friends that didn't make the left turn.
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David K
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Good intel!
| Quote: Originally posted by jamiec | Bwk94510: I was at SB this summer. If you are planning on stopping while you are heading south, the North road is doable on both a bike and in a CRV.
I'd recommend downloading maps.me app and following the North road from San Ignacio. Lots of washboards for the first 10-15 miles. There is a
moon-dust section that is was easy to go around and it was only about 20 meters long.
I wouldn't recommend taking the dirt road south of Mulege across to La Purisma in the vehicles you have. I'm sure some will, but I wouldn't unless I
was in my 4x4 truck.
Lots of people miss the left turn to San Juanico and keep going straight to La Purisma which may or may not have some water crossings to get to SB.
There were two water crossings according to some friends that didn't make the left turn.
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Thanks for the newer information.
That 'left turn' that is missed (when driving north on Hwy. 53 from Cd. Insurgentes) is at Km. 88, and signed for Las Barrancas. You are 35 miles from
San Juanico using the paved road. 4.5 miles from Hwy. 53 is the next junction (a right/ north turn) for San Juanico. Las Barrancas is one kilometer
west from this junction.
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David K
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As you near Las Barrancas
1 km. before Las Barrancas, if coming from Cd. Insurgentes.
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John Harper
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| Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Staying on pavement all the way adds at least 140 miles of driving (estimated) as it is a long-ways-around that way. Because of your friend's car, I
also wouldn't recommend any other dirt road to San Juanico (over the mountains from Mulegé or the cross-over road through La Purísima). Stick with
the graded High Road per reports here. Weather and time quickly changes conditions... so keep that in mind, too! Driving slow if the road is rocky
will prevent damage and driving fast if the road is corrugated (washboard) with smooth things out (as well as letting some air out of the tires if you
have a pump to refill them). |
driving fast on washboard is the worst advice you can give anyone.
Flat tires and car damage guaranteed.
I know it "feels better"
but it is bad for the road and bad for the car |
+1
John
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Tioloco
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| Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Staying on pavement all the way adds at least 140 miles of driving (estimated) as it is a long-ways-around that way. Because of your friend's car, I
also wouldn't recommend any other dirt road to San Juanico (over the mountains from Mulegé or the cross-over road through La Purísima). Stick with
the graded High Road per reports here. Weather and time quickly changes conditions... so keep that in mind, too! Driving slow if the road is rocky
will prevent damage and driving fast if the road is corrugated (washboard) with smooth things out (as well as letting some air out of the tires if you
have a pump to refill them). |
driving fast on washboard is the worst advice you can give anyone.
Flat tires and car damage guaranteed.
I know it "feels better"
but it is bad for the road and bad for the car |
Depends on how far you have to go and how much time you have. Yes, flat tires are a higher risk at higher speeds. But saying it is the worst advice is
a bit dramatic. Flats and car damage are not “guaranteed”.
Carry on…
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Mulege Canuck
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| Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Staying on pavement all the way adds at least 140 miles of driving (estimated) as it is a long-ways-around that way. Because of your friend's car, I
also wouldn't recommend any other dirt road to San Juanico (over the mountains from Mulegé or the cross-over road through La Purísima). Stick with
the graded High Road per reports here. Weather and time quickly changes conditions... so keep that in mind, too! Driving slow if the road is rocky
will prevent damage and driving fast if the road is corrugated (washboard) with smooth things out (as well as letting some air out of the tires if you
have a pump to refill them). |
driving fast on washboard is the worst advice you can give anyone.
Flat tires and car damage guaranteed.
I know it "feels better"
but it is bad for the road and bad for the car |
You nailed it Harold. Driving fast on washboard is not the way to go.
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David K
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Been driving dirt roads in Baja going back almost 50 years. Driving slow on a washboard road is neither comfortable or ever recommended before. Maybe
if you tried speeding up, with good tires, good vehicle, and some experience, you may find what I have found? However, because it was good for me
doesn't guarantee it will be for you. Use your own best judgement! This is true of most everything.
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Bwk94510
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Thanks everyone for all the advice. I’m not sure my friend will actually make it but good to know what his option are.
I’m planning to go - I’ll be riding my KTM 390 Adventure - so my plan will be to take the north road that sounds like the best option for me.
I’ll definitely do a ride report and post pictures. Scorpion Bay is high on my list of places to go - planning to stay at the Scorpion Bay Hotel.
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azucena
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Best no matter the speed to take tire pressure down. Easier on car and you.
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