howdy

any familiar with the raod that leaves rt 3 about midway in lazaro cardenas, heads west and meets rt 1 near punta colonet?

it seems a very practical way to shorten the trip to the west coast rather than going up to ensenada.

thanks

don lobo

Until someone can give you newer info here or on the other Baja message boards...

I drove it New Years 2001... west to east. It leaves/ joins Hwy. 1 about 8 miles south of San Vicente and 17 miles north of Colonet.

It is a 40 mile graded road and not a bad drive... It has a steep grade, but unless it is wet you probably wouldn't need 4WD.

It is used often for the Baja 500 race (which runs in June)...

Here is a web page made for the trip when I used it: New Years 2001 Baja Trip

Now, a more intersting drive across that part of Baja is to go through Mike's Sky Rancho (which is south of Valle de Trinidad, Hwy. 3)... Total 36 dirt and 30 paved miles to Hwy. 1, just 7 miles south of Colonet. About 10 miles of the 36 are rough. I traveled that way (west to east) 2 years ago and did a very detailed road log with photos... It is a 4WD road going south of Mike's! Look: Across Baja via Mike's Sky Rancho '05

thanks for the info

we have a 4wd ford f250 and a very small pop-up tent trailer AND an adventurous driver. how rough do you think the road will be on the trailer? would you do it with this setup?

don lobo

Look at my photos and decide... the only issue would be the overall length of your truck + the trailer. Of the 36 dirt miles, only about 10 are rough 'Jeep' road... between Mike's and Rancho Coyote.

If you are looking for a short cut just to get to Colonet from San Felipe, then use the road to San Vicente from Trinidad. On the other hand, if it is some off roading and seeing beautiful country and new areas of Baja, then go through Mike's Sky Rancho (which has a campground on the river there)... if you think your trailer can handle it.

I’m trying to save a few miles getting from southern Baja to San Felipe. Here’s the problem. I’m planning on ridding this road in April of 2008 on a Harley Davidson motorcycle with a friend who will be on a rebuilt Triumph. We’re taking the ferry from Los Mochis to La Paz and heading north to San Felipe.

Is the road paved, packed dirt, packed gravel, lose gravel, etc? If there is a steep grade, is it up or down hill going west to east? Are there deep ruts or washes? Any details are greatly appreciated.

I just don’t want to get down this road and have a problem or discover that it is impossible for a bike. I’m up for any alternate routes, too. I just don’t want to add 300 more miles to an already long trip.

Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations?

IF you are asking about the San Vicente-Valle Trinidad road, then I think you should not use it and go through Ensenada using paved Highway 3 to San Felipe... Yes, a long way around, but perhaps quicker, time-wise.

The short cut road is fine for a dirt bike or a dual sport, but I wouldn't think an expensive street machine would appreciate it!

The most direct route to San Felipe is via Gonzaga Bay, and you definately do NOT want to use that road on a Harley... until it is regraded or paved.

we drove south from valle de trinidad to mike's sky ranch, which is passable by all vehicle types, just a bit bumpy or washboarded here and there. very pretty route. tried to continue south from mike's to rancho coyote and on to the observatory road...BAH! i am a very adventurous driver and hate to turn back but it was epicly rough and we bailed after 1 mile. we were in a 4wd ford f250 and were towing a very small tent trailer, but would have had to turn back even if we weren't towing. one of the roughest roads i've ever driven on. and this was before the baja 1000 came through a few weeks later!!!

back in valle trinidad we were told of another much better dirt road route that crosses from trinidad southwest to the transpeninsular and comes out just north of colonet. we REALLY enjoyed this road and i was pretty smooth. it crosses mountains on it's way from coastal valley to interior valley and the views were great. there was a road crew working with picks shovels and rakes filling in the ruts in the curves so it's in good shape. i would definitely drive it on a road bike. you'd get a bit dusty but it's a good dirt road and cuts off a LOT of miles. grades don't get overly steep, probably less than 10%. unfortunatelt i don't have my baja maps with me so i can't be real specific about where to turn off the transpeninsular, but if you have the baja almanac the route is obvious and you could pinpoint the turnoff. as i recall when you turn off the highway onto the dirt road going east there was a fence and cultivated fields on the north side of the dirt road and the south side was and open field with nothing growing. after a few miles you will pass a larger farms work yard with lots of trucks and equipment on your left. the road stays in the valley bottom for 5 - 10 miles or so and then starts climbing up the mtnside. just stay on the main road the whole way and you'll get there...there aren't hardly any options to turn off. when you come into the valle de trinidad and find yourself on a grid of farm roads, just work your way east and then north and eventually you will find your way to the highway. there is a gas station here, the last one you'll see til san felipe.

good luck!

dave

ps i see that another poster discouraged you from this route. it's all a matter of how much fun you're looking for on a road bike. i would go...he wouldn't

Nice to get an updated report!

The short cut to Valle Trinidad from Hwy. 1 is signed, near the grape vineyards, and is 8 miles south of San Vicente/ 15 miles north of Colonet. To Hwy. 3 is about 40 dirt miles.