Baja Hotbox

1/29/10

Some of our Baja Direct Caravaners northbound were held up in Guerrero Negro, but on January 28, Marla Moreland, Caravan Co-leader and Ambassador-at-Large, left Vicente Guerrero and arrived at her home in Punta Banda. The day before was a full day driving from Guerrero Negro to there. Below are some of her comments:

From Guerrero Negro to El Rosario there are no problems. Lake Chapala is full. Go slow at the Catavina vados, there is shallow water running, but deep holes beneath. Take the 10 miles or so of curves before El Rosario very slowly – 20-30 miles an hour. There are places if a truck is met that the road has washed out some, so stop and let traffic pass. The El Rosario bridge is difficult because of one-way traffic, but most likely not more than 30 minutes wait. The road alongside the bridge itself is dry, no mud or water. The tricky part is getting out of the riverbed and onto the highway. It's a little too steep and a little off camber so the non four-wheel-drive vehicles have chewed it up – I used 4 high. From there go to Vicente Guerrero and hit Posado Don Diego on the left. All three bridges that were out are absolutely fine to cross, one you go down in the riverbed and it's wet but very hard. There have not been any notices or messages about any problems north of Ensenada. Be prepared to stop at any time on the roads, there are road crews out moving rocks and filling in the sides where they have collapsed.
Other Vagabundos members going north from San Vicente, who are now across the border and home, told us with this storm they were stranded four nights - two spent on the road near the San Vicente bridge, and two at an all night Pemex station just north of Colonet. Pemex stations have been pretty reliable safe havens if you are stranded. They said the Mexicans were "awesome" with all of their help.

Keep in mind if you are traveling and there is rain in the mountains, the arroyos can be flooded very quickly. One website to check Baja weather is bajasundog.com.

1/26/10

From Baja Cactus in El Rosario

El Rosario bridge situation has improved ... for the whole day a lot of dirt has been placed on the pass along the river bed in El Rosario bridge, and now, small vehicles can pass also... with some care and difficulty in the parts where it is sandy but they are going through... the water levels have dropped substantially now. Only semi's are being held on the south side (because of the weight) until the sandy areas of the river bed can be reinforced with more dry dirt... so they can cross on their own... they believe soon semi's will be able to do so.

The San Vicente and Col. Guerrero reports were also described to us by friends we called over the phone...

San Vicente is reporting they will have a fully functional temporary bridge by tonight. (1/25)

Col. Guerrero is reporting the same... that they will have a fully functional temporary bridge by tonight.

El Rosario reports it will have a passable road on the river bed soon. San Vicente is reporting they will have a fully functional temporary bridge by tonight. (1/25)

Antonio Munoz
BajaCactus

As of January 25, 2010

Don’t plan to drive the Baja Peninsula from the north or south until several bridges on Highway 1 that have been damaged or destroyed by heavy rains have been bypassed by the Highway Department. Unusable bridges extend south of Ensenada to El Rosario, according to current reports. Expectations are four to five days before detours can be created, providing that more rain doesn’t come.

We'll post information as we receive it. Fred Jones

Prepaid FMT's and Fishing Licenses - Members Note: We now have a limited supply of FMT's in the Vag office as of 3/20/09. FMT's are for Vag Members only, and are on a first come, first served basis. Contact us at HQVDM for information on obtaining these documents at (800) 474-2252.

Mexican Insurance Online - Visitors to the Vagabundos site can now obtain online quotes (quick and detailed) for Mexican Insurance Policy information, as well as securely purchase and download any quoted policy they like. Vag Members can also utilize the same system to securely access their membership account online, and to purchase new policies or renew previous ones. Current Members can obtain a username and password from the system by clicking on the Member Login link on the homepage.

We have these available for members only. There will be short times the office will not have them available because the process requires that we submit a report and account for each and every numbered FMT for approval before Mexican Immigration will release another batch. Please allow two to three weeks for processing. The price is $23 plus a handling fee.

FMT's AT TECATE: it is easier to park on the U.S. side, walk across to Immigration in the building on your right and use the bank across the street. Again, Always ask for the maximum of 180 days.

FMT's AT TIJUANA: Stay in the far right lane under the sign “For Declaration Only”, park and walk to the Immigration office in the long building to the right. Obtain your FMT form there, fill it out and go to the nearby bank to pay for it. Then return to the Immigration office to have it validated. Always ask for the maximum of 180 days.

Check the the Baja Forums for the latest postings and info concerning road conditions.

Road Conditions -

4) Speed-reducer strips before topes, sharp curves and steep downgrades.

Travel Buddies Calendar - If you are planning a Mexican trip, call our office at (800) 474-2252 to get on our Calendar. We’ll put it on our website Travel Buddies Board.es.

Fuel - Magna Sin (87 octane) 7.7 pesos/liter, $2.22/gal; Premium (93 octane)., 9.6, $2.75; Diesel 7.8, $2.25 scarce at Guerrero Negro. At Catavina Magna Sin and L.A. Bay Junction Magna and diesel from barrels - 5 gal minimum. 2 new gas stations at L.A. Bay.

"DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT "
" DON'T CAMP ALONE"

FISHING PERMIT APPLICATION

BOAT PERMITS

FISHING LICENSES (EACH)

ROUND TRIP AIRFARE RATES
L.A. - LORETO, B.C.S. & RETURN*

"DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT " " DON'T CAMP ALONE"

FISHING PERMIT APPLICATION

BOAT PERMITS

FISHING LICENSES (EACH)

ROUND TRIP AIRFARE RATES L.A. - LORETO, B.C.S. & RETURN*

"DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT "
" DON'T CAMP ALONE"

ROUND TRIP AIRFARE RATES
L.A. - LORETO, B.C.S. & RETURN*