Baja 2017, Maybe

[True North]

When I rode down the baja on my motorcycle a couple of years ago I needed to pay roughly 400 usd at the boarder crossing for the TVIP temporary Vehicle import permit. However I was taking a ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan. They checked for those documents before they would let me buy a ticket for the ferry crossing.

I was refunded the money on my way back North. Do not forget to check out when leaving you kiss the money goodbye but after 180 days the non-cancellation will haunt you when you return to Mexico.

My understanding is the fee and paperwork are not required if you are staying in Baja or the free zone in Senora down to Guaymas.

TN ......

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by True North

Do not forget to check out when leaving you kiss the money goodbye but after 180 days the non-cancellation will haunt you when you return to Mexico.

My understanding is the fee and paperwork are not required if you are staying in Baja or the free zone in Senora down to Guaymas.

TN ......

Yes, appears to be less restrictive in Baja. No extra charges and we didn't check out last year and nobody cared when we entered this year. The way the border's set up you have to enter a line to get to US customs but there's no easy access to the Mexican office, but, that doesn't seem to be required.

Ron

[Ron in BC]

OK, we survived the dreaded unfinished section of Mex-5 a second time We're slow learners. Actually it went quite well although I was smiling about thinking how apprehensive I used to be about roads like the Moki Dugway.

Anyway two trips to Baja, both without any issues, we're happy.

I've promised my wife that we won't go back until Mex-5 is completed. We like that route because it eliminates the whole Ensenada route with congestion and bad roads.

All's well that ends well.

Ron

[Ron in BC]

OK, time to wrap this thread up with a few photos. I'll do it by category.

First topic is weather. This has to be one of the weirdest trips for weather that we've ever been on.

First night stopped at Camp Kalama just before Portland because it was below freezing and we wanted facilities. Place is run down and the washrooms and showers were closed due to frozen pipes. Still charged $29 a night. Parking on snow proved to me that insulation under the floor is a good thing.

San Diego; torrential rain and forced a switch in plans to avoid Mex-1 and go over to the Mexicali crossing and use the unfinished Mex-5. Spent overnight at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park overlooking the Salton Sea. Ranger says for the first time in 20-22 years they are advising that they may have to issue an evacuation order due to the danger of flash flooding. Found the highest point I could and was ready to get out on short notice.

Mex-5; thought that we'd left the crazy LA weather system behind. Got caught in a sandstorm and had to seek shelter behind a hill. During the night the winds were so fierce that I contemplated putting ratchet straps over the hatches because they were vibrating so much I thought that the latch might give way.

Q-site; on our big event day the downpour started. Felt strange being in the desert in pouring rain.

Northbound; thought we were a day ahead of the system coming in. Wrong, by northern CA we were driving in torrential rains almost all day. We stopped at a State Park downstream from the Oro dam but it was closed and flooded. The next day we crossed into WA, passed exit 22 about noon and a couple of hours later the mudslide closed I-5.

Ironically, the travel item at this time of year that had been a consideration, Siskiyou and the other passes, turned out to be completely benign.

Ron

[BCnomad]

Thanks for the pics and travel reports Ron.

[gbaglo]

Well, that was an adventure.

[MyronL]

A ripping good tale well told.

[SpokanEscape]

Makes having to still work not seem so terrible after all!

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by SpokanEscape

Makes having to still work not seem so terrible after all!

Hold that thought until after I've posted the Coyote Beach photos.

Ron

[SpokanEscape]

I'm holding that thought until I retire Oct 1st - so I can join Paul who's been retired three years now!
Seriously thanks for posting your wonderful pictures - our trailer is still trapped behind a snow berm in front of her covered storage spot!

[Ron in BC]

Stops along the way:
Our way of travelling isn't for everyone. We view stopping for the night when you're on the way to a destination as a utility stop. We probably stop at places some might not choose for themselves including rest stops, Walmarts and known free camping spots.

An example of a free spot is the Rivers Edge Shopping Center in Eugene. They allow 2 nights free camping in their rear, riverside parking lot. After the office workers go home the lot's empty. No fear about security, the mall security truck makes frequent rounds.

The most expensive night was at the Chula Vista RV park in San Diego. 87 bucks, gasp. We only stayed there because of its' proximity to the border.

We stopped both times at Rolling Hills Casino in Corning CA. Going down we stayed in the truck stop area. It was packed and very full and noisy but, hey, it was free. Coming back we stayed in the RV area, $28 for full utilities and sites are so large that just walking the perimeter was a good dog walk for our little dog.

The stretch of road from Mexicali down to San Felippe has been well populated over the years by Americans and the cost per night is a little higher, about $15 for a basic spot. Usually they're right on the Sea of Cortez with great opportunities for sunrise photos.

Our now favorite stop in Guerrero Negro (the place popular for whale watching) is Mario's. $12 a night with full facilities and wi-fi. It's a couple of hundred yards South of the border between Baja California and Baja California Sur. No formalities, just a few peso charge for a drive over agriculture spray.

We know truck stops are noisy but if they're convenient and it's the right time of day we use them. At the Tehachapi Pilot truck stop we found the most out of the way corner. Busy place but it did the job.

Ron

[Ron in BC]

I can't mention how nice the sunrises are on the Sea of Cortez without throwing in a couple of examples.

Ron

[cpaharley2008]

are those sun rises or sunsets?

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

I can't mention how nice the sunrises are on the Sea of Cortez without throwing in a couple of examples.

Ron

Absolutely Beautiful ! Pat

[Ron in BC]

If there was one topic this year that was the dominant item it's roads.

The difference this year is that we took Mex-5 from Mexicali down to where it connects to Mex-1 knowing that the last 20 miles were a rough unfinished road.

This route avoids the Enseada route that has its' share of bad areas of road and this year, damage from washouts etc. When Mex-5 is finished it'll allow for a much easier route for folks who want to head down to Guerrero Negro to whale watch or head further South.

I knew that construction was in full swing for the new road and that there were stretches of smooth road base ready for paving. I wrongly assumed that we would be able to drive on them. So it was a bit frustrating to be driving, and I use that term loosely, along and sometimes have to go up and cross to the other side not being allowed to drive on the new smooth section. Or have to drive down into a creekbed and back up right beside a brand new unused bridge.

The old road has been abandoned, in terms of maintenance, for a long time. Much of the way we drove off to the side on a well established sand track laid down by others wanting to stay off the broken road. It worked well but it was unpredictable. It would swerve back up onto the road to avoid obstacles, sometimes steeply, and sometimes had soft areas, that with a 2 wheel drive towing a trailer, I had to watch didn't become sandtraps.

On the way down I stopped to see if a person pulling an trailer needed assistance. Later, at Mario's, he came over to thank me and asked if I knew of the "short-cut" on the old road. I didn't so he told me where to turn off onto a sand "road" and said it'd cut 2-3 miles off the highway route. At first it seemed to head in the wrong direction which was a bit of a worry because there wasn't any going back but then it turned and we did indeed avoid a couple of miles of bad road. Still took over 2 hours to do the 20 miles.

Not to give the impression that all roads in Baja are bad. They have lots of good roads, especially in Baja California Sur. Two major differences are: the concept of pull-outs is new. Frustrating sometimes to have a spectacular view and not be able to pull over. This is because the second concept that's different is that of having any kind of ability to pull off the traveled portion of the road. Sometimes within a foot of the asphalt the edge drops off sharply. Sometimes only a few inches but sometimes a couple of feet. You get used to it but do miss some good photo opportunities.

My wife says that I'm not allowed to go back to Baja until Mex-5 is paved.

Ron

[Ron in BC]

More roads:

[Ron in BC]

OK, why do we travel 2,500 miles to go to a beach? Well I consider Coyote beach one of the best destinations I've ever gone to. It checks all the boxes.

The water's warm, the climate agreeable, you can park within feet of the water, there's a couple of reasonable places to eat not too far away, you have an inexpensive source of fresh water $5/45gal.), it's inexpensive $5 a day gets you outhouses and garbage disposal and you can park parallel to the water meaning that you have at least 60' of waterfront to yourself. Also, Mulege, with everything you'd need for an extended stay, is about a 20 minute drive away and the thing I like the most about it is that it's an authentic Mexican town. Often we're the only gringos walking the streets. It's not touristy and you get treated like anyone else.

New this year are some palapas for those lucky enough to snag one. Cost is an extra $2.50 a day. Very handy place to store chairs, BBQ's and all the other toys we take with us.

We could have paid $60 and had the truck and trailer washed. They were a little mud splattered after Mex-5. You can tell we've been to the laundromat in Mulege. The laundry's hung up to dry.

It's a perfect area for kayaking or just lazing about on an air mattress. Many nearby coves and islands to explore.

Ron

[Ron in BC]

There are lots of other beaches. This one has a sandbar that connects it to an island.

Some friends of friends also from BC who've been coming to Baja for over 20 years. Last year, for the first time, they left their stickie in storage instead of hauling it home. Enclosed concrete garage with on-site security for $500. Said it really makes the drive much quicker when not towing. Since it means they now don't have to do 55mph all down CA I can see how it would be quicker.

Ron

[freespirit]

did you upgrade your solar panel size..it looks bigger than it did before..camping looks peaceful there

[Ron in BC]

Nope, same old 100 watt panel. We're frugal with our watts. I have 2 separate 12 volt batteries and I've never had to switch to the 2nd one because #1 was too low.

It is peaceful. Everyone is well mannered and there aren't any bozos disturbing others.

Ron