LCXC 2018: Baja!

[LandCruiserPhil]

@TonyP thanks for the invite but I normally dont do large group or commit more than a hour before departure.

One more very important item and my hi-jack is over.

Make sure someone in your party have a rated kinetic rope along with several tow straps and a tide chart. Your 16.5ton winch is worthless unless you can anchor the vehicle, BTDT. Sometimes a kinetic rope is all that can get you out when stuck in the sand/ocean also not uncommon for the Sea of Cortez to have 20' tide changes

 

[TonyP]

Because I can't help myself: LCXC: Baja 2018 Planning Document.

Check it out, make edits, add a bit more information about yourself if you'd like.

Thank for that! Updated the original post.

 

[TonyP]

Looking through the map. Proposal for day one :
Meet up in the AM in SD, head to Ensenada for lunch, make it to Mike's Sky Ranch for camping. Head over to hwy 5 in the AM next day.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Looking through the map. Proposal for day one :
Meet up in the AM in SD, head to Ensenada for lunch, make it to Mike's Sky Ranch for camping. Head over to hwy 5 in the AM next day.

Mikes Sky Ranch to El Coyote Ranch if you want to wheel. Check road trail conditions prior

 

[Mogwai]

Added some notes to the planning doc. One question which will help setting itinerary - how far south does everyone want to go?

 

[TonyP]

Added some notes to the planning doc. One question which will help setting itinerary - how far south does everyone want to go?

The point at which we need to turn around is the big question. Driving 5hrs per day we can make it to Cabo but will only have one day to get back. Which is more pressure than I'm interested in. Is it necessary to make it to Cabo? Nope. Would be cool to say we did it though.

Looking through other people's trips, most that are a week long don't go that far south. Maybe Phil can make a suggestion.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

The point at which we need to turn around is the big question. Driving 5hrs per day we can make it to Cabo but will only have one day to get back. Which is more pressure than I'm interested in. Is it necessary to make it to Cabo? Nope. Would be cool to say we did it though.

Looking through other people's trips, most that are a week long don't go that far south. Maybe Phil can make a suggestion.

No way you are making it back from Cabo in one day unless you are Ivan Stewart and even then its a toss up.

I would suggest to determine what you want to see given you time frame. How many will be traveling in the group and what is your agreed daily start and finish time? Travel is not fast in Baja due to roads, traffic, and towns. If you just want beach camping and driving around on the beach you dont need to go far.

 

[RET2]

I concur with Phil. If you're going to blast around Baja you won't see The Baja. Things are very different down there. Baja is to be experienced not just seen in order to get the full monty

 

[TRD Burglar]

Here's a good video of a short Baja trip to whet your appetite.

 

[Mogwai]

If you guys haven't looked in a while take a peak at the planning doc and working itinerary. I looked at miles and drive time to come up with a reasonable (yet still pretty aggressive) southern point which ended up being Mulege area. I didn't really look into the details of some of the spots chosen, just went off the map T had out together, so feel free the adjust away.

Question - depending on how the itinerary works out I'd consider extending by a day to be able to stay (for example at Mulege) for 2 nights (in the middle of trip, nice to break up the driving and add more to the chill factor). Is anyone else able/interested? Bonus would be we could cross back across border on a Monday vs Sunday.

 

[TRD Burglar]

I just checked the proposed route. Looks good to me. I'm flexible on most anything, but would prefer to reenter the US at Mexicali. That would help on my drive back to Dallas.

 

[TonyP]

Looks ok to me. Not sure about driving more than 6 hours per day though. Like the 8 hour day, with fuel, eats, taking in the sights, that can be rough. We'd probably have to be on the road by 7am in order to make it to a spot before dark.

 

[TRD Burglar]

If we follow the route as it's proposed now, I'm OK with staying 2 nights in Mulege, but I'll cut the last day to Guadalupe Canyon and just head to Mexicali directly from San Felipe.

 

[Mogwai]

I agree it would be nice to not have any days over 6hrs of travel, and even that is pretty pretty long. What can we do about that one long day or are we ok w/ one long day? The problem I see is that day is sandwiched between two 6hr days.

 

[Markuson]

Thinking about drive times & agree about avoiding the max.

Plus, a time cushion goes a long way to "de-stressify" if delays/breakdowns happen.

No delays? All good! -Just more time to take in the scenery along the way...goof around with drones...relax in camp, etc.

 

[Mogwai]

Alright I'm confirming to 100%, it's myself and two buddies, the family is taking this one off.

We would love to return on Monday April 2 and spend an extra day in Mulege, hoping at least one other person/group is able to do the same. If you're interested please confirm.

Who's in/out at this point? (Tony can you update the OP?)

Looking forward to this!!! And for those driving in side-mail if you need help w/ logistics in/around San Diego. I know we haven't picked a staging spot yet but my house is an option (Rancho Bernardo area of SD), we'll just have to see if it's convenient for those traveling in from out of town.

 

[Mogwai]

Added a 2nd itinerary option to the planning doc. It does swap out a few things, but a bit more relaxed and slanted towards the coasts vs interior but we'd have to be ok w/ not hitting Mike's.

 

[TonyP]

Who's in/out at this point? (Tony can you update the OP?)

So far only four of us have updated the e-doc, not sure who else is in.

As for the map, looks ok to me.
I know some people need to be back by the 1st and it looks like that itinerary is setup for 9 days?

I'm fine with added time, personally, though. I'll probably take a week prior to get my rig ready and take another week or two after the 1st if I end up wanting to go solo (unless others are in) down to Cabo and stay for a few days.

 

[indycole]

I'm also good with some added time if it makes the itinerary more fun/doable/relaxing.

 

[RET2]

Added a 2nd itinerary option to the planning doc. It does swap out a few things, but a bit more relaxed and slanted towards the coasts vs interior but we'd have to be ok w/ not hitting Mike's.

Mike's is really not a big thing in my opinion. More of a historical waypoint than something to see.