Posted by Finfan on January 15, 2002 at 08:36:34:
In Reply to: Drive to Baja - Anyone done it? posted by Ed L. on January 14, 2002 at 19:13:44:
I trailered a brand new 21 ft parker down there just last July for some outstanding fishing. That was my third trip down to Loreto. We took our daughter down with us when she was four and seven and never had any problems. Here's how we do it -
We always caravan with at least three or four vehicles (safety in numbers). We make it down in under two days, but the first day is grueling. We try and cross the border at first light. We get our permits/visa's and get through TJ as quickly as possible (early morning first light helps). We push the driving to make Guerro Negro as the sun sets (winter time that would not work, but summer has enough daylight to make that work). We stay at what is usually a vacant RV park for the night. We usually try and stay at an RV park and rarely stay just offroad. If you do stay offroad two tips - avoid staying close to any town (the closer to the towns the higher chances of bandits) Second, stay off a sight of the main highway (harder for roving badits to find you). I think the fact that we have always had three or more vehicles never hurts reduce your chances of bandits bothering you. We get up early the second day (first light) and make it to Loreto by 2:00 p.m. even stopping at a small oasis/village (I can't remmeber the name, but it sits between Guerro Negro and Santa Rosalia) before hitting Santa Rosalia. It has an old missionary style church that is absolutely incredible that you should really see and teh oasis is incredible as it comes up from nowhere right there in barren desert. Another tip on the gas - always watch them pump and make sure the reset the pump before starting. Santa Rosalia is famous for ripping you off by not resetting the pumps.
Watch the road around Catavina - it is where we usually see some of the more dangerous potholes (the size and depth that can do some serious damage. Watch the bus drivers down there and always give them some extra room (especially on the curves). They are going to take the extra room anyway, so we usually slow down and move over when we pass them. The road just south of Ensenada narrows and then pass San Quentin gets even smaller. Be careful to keep it close to the road. The have placed concrete pillers next to the road edge that usually are covered by weeds. You won't know what you hit until it takes out a couple of tires if you get to far off the road. Never drive at night. Forget the animals, the truck drivers at night often don't have lights and always think the road is theirs at night so it can be real dangerous.
We make gas at Ensenada, San Quinten, Guerro Negro, Santa Rosalia and Mulege, but a good rule of thumb is never pass a station that has it without topping off. As far as checkpoints, we always wait for each vehicle to get through and we always tell the guards that we are a group. We never, never give the guards anything other than maybe a soda pop or bottle of water and have never had to pay any form of bribe. Also, we always use CB's and have a lead vehicle at least a quarter of a mile in front of the vehicles trailering. That way that vehicle can let the others know about big trucks or buses coming through the curving roads and it gives us a chance to get to a straight away and pull over somewhat.
It's a tough road because it is narrow and very winding, but the beauty of baja is incredible. I have seen a real increase in the amount of roadside trash in recent years, but even then some of this land is downright breathtaking. We have never had any problems and we have been going down baja for over ten years periodically, but then we don't go looking for any trouble. We do our drinking at camp and we camp right on the beach just north of Loreto. Theres great snorkeling off the beach and around the islands close to Loreto and the fishing is usually outstanding. Even in bad fish years, we usually manage enough fish for several dinners in Baja and bringing some home. ENJOY!