Fall Baja ride. Canon de Guadalupe.

[bajadog 29]

I'm thinking of an easy ride for a weekend to get some newer (John DR650) into Baja travel.

I started going to Guadalupe Canyon when the old man was still running it 1987. His two sons have split it in two separate campos now.

You get your own hot tub, picnic table, and a sleeping platform made from plywood on top of pallets. If I remember it was $20 a night in 2009.

Food and beer is available at the "cool" pool. Lots of great hiking up the palm canyon and vistas up the wazzoo.

Some pavement riding from Tecate down HWY 2 then about 30 miles of washboard rode to the canyon.

For those trailering, we'd park at Potrero County park $15 a night with ranger presence.

Ride across into Tecate BCN, then down hwy 2 to turn off on Laguna Salada.

Should start getting cool enough to want to be in a hot tub around late October.

Canyon Guadalupe

[Zubb 1174]

I had a ride scheduled a few years back for that, was super stoked on it, but Covid happened and I cancelled with in few days of the border closing. Have always wanted to go back. Very glad to see you are putting this together. 
it’s not $20 a night now, considerably more and a 2 night minimum. 
 

This would be an epic 2 nighter, club event. An easy 100 miles from La Mesa. Not very technical riding and a beautiful water crossing. Likely to see some wild Burros. 

Great idea @bajadog

[bajadog 29]

RIght, not technical to the hot springs. There is a trail up Canon Tajo just south of Guadalupe with some granite steps and through a cholla forest. I did it on my old TT600 without

any issues. Also for those with some fuel range you can continue south and connect to hwy 3 hang a right back to Ensenada or hang a left to San Felipe. There are some

deep sand sections this way and rocky patches.

[tntmo 971]

I did the pre run with Kelly.  Nice ride out there, I couldn’t remember what the cost was to stay but thought it was considerably more than $20.  Here’s the video from our ride.  
 

Baja Adventure: Canyon de Guadalupe on the Yamaha Super Ténéré
https://youtu.be/nJlkZ_AXKWQ

[AdventureSmeghead 12]

That sound intriguing!

[Zubb 1174]

7 hours ago, bajadog said:

RIght, not technical to the hot springs. There is a trail up Canon Tajo just south of Guadalupe with some granite steps and through a cholla forest. I did it on my old TT600 without

any issues. Also for those with some fuel range you can continue south and connect to hwy 3 hang a right back to Ensenada or hang a left to San Felipe. There are some

deep sand sections this way and rocky patches.

Couple years back I spent considerable time on Google earth searching for that route that goes through to Hy 3, and never found it.  I'm told that the lake bed can and has killed a few folks over the years, so prefer to stay off of that and hug the mountains.  I think that could be a hella-cool route!  I believe it would be more of a 500cc route, as apposed to big ADV bikes.

[CJ da Viking 4]

I was there probably in 2003 Very Cool Pl.. Would love to go there on the ktm.  wanna try to get on this ride with you guys.

What do I need to get on the list or find out more information

 

[bajadog 29]

@CJ da Viking I'm thinking that we should for sure wait until Fall to let the desert cool down a bit. My idea is either late October or early/mid November.

Not sure yet, but more than likely I'll truck my bike down to Potrero County park (It was $15 a day parking back in 2009). Then ride into Baja. We can all meet at the Tecate US side gas station. 

We can do either a early Saturday morning start, or a mid-day Friday start. Play it by ear for now. I'd plan on returning Sunday around noon or so.

Here is the link to their reservation page. Once we decide on the weekend we should all reserve a tub/sleeping area. 

Reservations

 

[AdventureSmeghead 12]

Friday mid-day start and back on Sunday sounds like a great plan to me!

I assume it will be about tent camping, right? I can't wait to do this again after many years.

Edited September 5, 2024 by AdventureSmeghead
Typo

[bajadog 29]

They have pallets covered with plywood to sleep on. I just bring a light sleeping bag myself. Hopefully they didn't change that setup since I was there last.

 

[CJ da Viking 4]

Sounds very interesting. Anyone have an idea how cold it gets at night at that time?
 

[bajadog 29]

According to wunderground history for Laguna Salada (close enough) weather station the low for October 31- November 5 was 52 F. Remember though after a few beers and

an hour in the hot tubs you stay warm. If not jump back into the tub. 😜

[kkug 160]

Any ideal of a possible date for this Adventure ?

[Zubb 1174]

23 hours ago, kkug said:

Any ideal of a possible date for this Adventure ?

I don’t know, but I keep running into you here in Idaho this week. 

[kkug 160]

Ha thats great !

[bajadog 29]

On 9/18/2024 at 10:21 PM, kkug said:

Any ideal of a possible date for this Adventure ?

Depending on work, I was thinking the last weekend in October or early November. Any black out dates that time frame for you?

[AdventureSmeghead 12]

Last weekend of October sounds good for me. 

[AdventureSmeghead 12]

Are there any specific things to prepare from the paperwork point of view? For me it would be: passport, green card, driver's license. Something for the motorcycle? Carnet de Passage or something? Insurance? Taxes?

[bajadog 29]

At least Mexican liability insurance (recommend BajaBound). In theory an FMM (tourist card). It's free for 7 days I believe. We'd have to have it stamped in Tecate to be valid.

FMM 

[kkug 160]

On 9/23/2024 at 1:36 PM, bajadog said:

Depending on work, I was thinking the last weekend in October or early November. Any black out dates that time frame for you?

I always have different things going on ---pick a date and I will see if I can make it .

[Zubb 1174]

If your papers are in order you’ll be good to go. Get your insurance and your FMM. Don’t carry a pocket knife on your person. No drugs. If by some very small chance you get pulled over, you’ll have nothing to be “leveraged” against you. 
I’ll be touring in Baja at that time so unfortunately won’t be able to join you guys. 

[bajadog 29]

I will have to push out the timing of the Guadalupe ride until the end of November.

I've got to help a buddy (disabled USMC vet) find a place to live in Yuma end of October/early November.

He is currently in transitional housing in Phoenix and his time is up there.

Yes it will be cooler but that will make the hot tubs better to soak in.

[KTMrad 583]

Here is a link for info about FMM card....everyone must get one, there are no longer any "free zones"...

https://ridebaja.com/posts/mexico-tourist-cards-fmm

[Zubb 1174]

Well, it’s free of charge… but you really should  “punch in” at Tecate like everyone else. 

[bajadog 29]

Yes. FMM for sure. Tecate is actually the easiest crossing to have it stamped at.