Navigating the Mex 5

December 18, 2013
Story By
Tim Sutton

Spontaneity can be rewarding, even when you get in trouble from neglecting daily duties. Such was the case when a buddy and I took to the road for an adventure down the Mex 5.

A call from a friend to “pack a bag for a week, I just got a new car,” began our journey. Soon after I was meeting up with him, cameras in hand, having no idea what I was getting myself into or what I would see upon the way. We headed south through the night, traveling fast towards the Mex 5 – a highway that’s not so much a highway as we’ve come to know them here in the paved US. I had never been to Mexico on the California side and was anxious to see what lay ahead.

Border towns and pavement were of no interest to us, we were in a hurry to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, test out my friend’s new Toyota FJ Cruiser, and take some awesome photos along the way.

By midnight we were rolling into San Felipe, Mexico. Not only is this the point where the Mex 5 really ceases to be a highway, but it’s the last real kind of civilization you’ll run into heading south. After filling up on street tacos, cerveza, and a good night’s sleep we were back on the Mex 5 headed toward Gonzaga Bay.

Most of the road along the way was skipping on the ledge between earth and ocean. The dirt, rocks, and scenery were a breath of fresh air to us. Most people would think you needed a 4-wheel drive to get past the terrain, but every so often we’d be surprised by a couple locals thrashing their way through the hills and valley in a little Honda Civic.

The further we went south, the more the scenery took form of a Dr. Seuss book. Cactus and agave took forms of people and the desert became increasingly arid.

Cattle were not like you see here, but roaming around in search of the precious food needed for survival. We came across plenty of dead carcasses strewn across our path - these cattle, seals, dolphins and other road kill had seen better days and were certainly not something you’d see during your regular daily commute (unless you were a local of course).

Along our journey we stopped in a few two horse towns to grab a beer and snacks to keep the gravy train rolling.

In one of the old whaling towns along the Sea of Cortez, we found yet another oddity, a complete whale skeleton. Whales come to this area to procreate and feed on the vast amounts of food in the warm waters in this area, adding to its wonderment.

By the time we made it to Gonzaga, we were road warn and weary. We shook the dust of the Baja Peninsula out of our shoes and enjoyed the sights of shrimp boats in the bay making their way to port with more delicious food for our bellies to enjoy.

Gonzaga quickly became one of my favorite spots in the world. It’s great for fishing, off-roading, eating, and general tomfoolery.

After enjoying Gonzaga, we decided to head south a little further, taking a few days to go halfway down to Guerro Negro, making that our turn around point. By the time we headed back up north the road had changed from dirt to asphalt, but there was plenty of back roads and trails to make any off-roader happy. I’ve met pro Baja drivers who still haven’t seen all of the backroads you can find in this area!

The Mex 5 drive was one hell of a trip and one that won’t be quickly forgotten. If you ever make your way down there, don’t forget your camera – and more importantly your sense of adventure! -Tim Sutton

Navigating the Mex 5

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