Posted by chriscase on Saturday, December 16, 2006 at 10:42:11 :
In Reply to: Chris...Baja book posted by Doc Dave on Saturday, December 16, 2006 at 07:17:53 :
About 1980, on one of many fishing trips to Calamajue, about half way down. You get there via Highway One through Ensenada, turn left at Las Cruceros. Take a goat path the rest of the way across the penninsula.
My life-long buddy and Baja guide Bob says "Let's take the eastern road back, through Gonzaga Bay and San Felipe- it's 100 miles shorter!" So I check the map, sure enough, lots shorter. We usually made it to and from Calamajue in one looong day of 700 miles. A shorter day sounds like good idea.
Off we go, due north instead of west. 40 miles of sand to get to Gonzaga Bay. Then, from there, go up a hill composed mostly of cinder block sized and shaped rocks. Steep as a staircase, plus a couple triple high steps. Took me three tries to get up it. Then, down the other side, same type granite. Only at the bottom here, there's half a dozen burned our hulks. Lot's of folks couldn't make it south bound- we've just passed the point of no return!
100 miles shorter? Lemme see that map again- how come so much of that dotted line is sooo zig zaggy? I sure learned something about map reading that day!
Only 200 more miles of the same stuff to go! I did 40 miles in Granny gear.
We never did see the 'highway maintenance crew'- one Mexican with a pick and shovel and burro. He would chip off the high parts and fill in the lows, for donations of food. We had brought a nice Cabrilla for him, but ate it ourselves that night.
We did make it. Took two days insted of one. Only wrecked one tire, I'd brought two spares. The lumber rack on top with two aluminum boats on it fatigued in half too. Duct tape and a tent pole fixed that.
Turns out, this is the road the Baja 1,000 racers will wait for low tide, and run down the beach to avoid. Tides are 20 feet. Imagine sitting and waiting for the tide to change DURING A RACE! to avoid this nasty road. Also so Bob could have a better chance of smuggling in a rare rattlesnake he'd caught on the way to Calamajue. They didn't use to search so good at Mexicali as Tijuana...
I wished I had my Power Wagon that trip, instead of the F250 two wheel drive.