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DAY 1:
We drove from Calexico to San Felipe via Mex 5. Other than the usual difficulty driving through the border town (poor signage, erratic traffic), the trip south was uneventful. Mex 5 is a well maintained two lane road feeding San Felipe. Other than the small remnant of the Colorado River (Rio Colorado), there is little scenery on this portion of the trek. The deserts east of the Sierra Las Pintas is spartan, accentuated by vast salt flats and the dry lake bed. San Felipe is a small town on the gulf, which caters to visiting Americans with its many beach camps and hotels. We continued south on the narrow, paved road that leaves San Felipe along the coast. This road is in good condition until the airport. After the airport this "road" degrades into the WORST (non-technical) road conditions I have ever experienced in a vehicle. The thin layer of asphalt is severely potted, with holes in the surface several inches deep, and many feet across. It is impossible to avoid all of the holes, and the vehicle is punished by the irregularities. I was very thankful for the durability of the Toyota products we were driving, as the many impacts at high speeds would have easily exceeded the capability of most vehicles. This road terminates just north of Puertecitos, changing to a graded dirt road. |
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The Road from Puertecitos to Punta Bufeo |
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| Despite the corrugations on the road south from Puertecitos, we were able to maintain a steady pace on our way to Punta Bufeo. We made the 80 mile distance in a little over 3 hours. Punta Bufeo has a nice bay to the north, lined with small block houses. There is a great view of the point and Isla San Luis. We camped at the southern edge of the bay, and set out to spearfish off of the point. The warm temperatures of the prior week initiated some of the spring plankton upwelling and water clarity was poor. |
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Punta Bufeo |
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South of Puertecitos |
Punta Bufeo |
Camp 1 |
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Gonzaga Bay (Bahia San Luis Gonzaga) |
| We woke early on day two in an attempt to take advantage of calmer waters off of the point. The water clarity had not improved much, with the fishing not improving either. We decided to break camp and head to Gonzaga Bay in an attempt to find better conditions. We stopped for lunch at the local restaurant and enjoyed fantastic fish tacos. We attempted more spearfishing after lunch, working the western shoreline of Isla San Luis Gonzaga, but the water clarity was even worse than Punta Bufeo, only a few feet at times. We were running out of time, and needed some clear water, so we drove further south to Bahia de Los Angeles. On the way south the desert came alive with vegetation, in stark contrast to the areas north of Gonzaga Bay. We were treated to Cardon Cactus, Boojum, and Elephant Trees, along with numerous wildflower. |
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Lunch at Gonzaga Bay |
Elephant Tree |
The Baja desert |
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Cirio, or Boojum Plant |
Coco's Corner |
Wildflowers |
GO TO DAY 3 |
