News:

Thank you for your patience during the Forum downtime while we upgraded the software. Welcome back and see this thread for some new features and other changes to the forum.

Main Menu

My annual road trip to GTO, MX from CA via Son & Chih Desert IH & Toll Highways.

Started by jfs1988, August 26, 2014, 02:38:03 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

jfs1988

I just came back from my annual road trip to Guanajuato, Mexico from California via the highways of the Sonoran & Chihuahuan deserts.  :sombrero: It was a half week of driving, & a week of staying there.  :cool:




I did a few things that I haven't been able to do on past road trips.

Post Merge: August 28, 2014, 07:31:27 PM

I went to la Montaña de Cristo Rey (mountain of Jesus Christ the King), also known as El Cubilete. El Cubilete is the tallest mountain in the state of Guanajuato. To the get to the top, one must drive through a long windy road that is paved with cobblestone. El Cubilete is located in the municipality of Silao, east of Leon, as well as few kilometers near the colonial city & capital of Guanajuato.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/15038642752/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/14852360360/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/15038939732/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/15015998976/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/14852454347/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/15015999556/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/15038997025/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/15016152236/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/15016186416/in/photostream/

The cobblestone pavement highway is a state highway with no number. A long time ago it used to be a dirt road & a lot more dangerous. The highway connects with Mexico Federal 110 & Mexico Federal 110D, which connects Guanajuato with points beyond.



Post Merge: August 28, 2014, 07:31:30 PM

On the return trip to California, I decided to take Interstate 8 instead of I-10.

I have never taken Interstate 8 before. The only section of I-8 I am familiar with is between El Cajon & San Diego in California. I also wanted to see how much time it takes from Casa Grande, AZ to the Colorado River by bypassing the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

The drive along I-8 was pretty good, too bad it got dark once I got to Yuma; however, it made for a great night view of Yuma, Mexicali, & the Imperial Valley. The mountain climb before reaching Yuma on I-8 westbound is similar to I-10 between Quartzsite & Ehrenberg, its possible its the same mountain range.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/14853301228/

What was Caltrans thinking when they built that rest area on the median? I went to use the restroom only to discover its a hole in the ground,  :-o. Also, there is no lighting & its very dangerous to enter & exit. Even Mexico makes better rest areas. The Jaime Obeso Sunbeam Rest Area a few miles further along I-8 in western Imperial County is work of art.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/15026640595/in/photostream/
Caltrans did something really cool here. A map on the floor.

I like the climb into San Diego County. The way you enter San Diego County & then on the curve you enter Imperial County once again. Also, I like that the freeway gets separated similar to Interstate 5 near the Grapevine.


Post Merge: August 28, 2014, 07:31:21 PM

:confused:

There are a few cons about I-8.

Towns are farther than I-10. Sometimes there are no services for about 30 miles.

Its very dark at night.


jfs1988

It was the usual in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Its been almost 5 years & there is still construction in that area. Seems TXDOT is a faster builder. The I-10 & TX Loop 375 (Transmountain Rd) interchange was completed this year. TX Loop 375 serves the suburbs of El Paso.

Post Merge: August 28, 2014, 07:31:16 PM

Reduced to one lane in each direction in Ciudad Juarez-Chihuahua & Zacatecas-Aguascalientes highways. SCT Mexico should at least install barriers on the median. If they are fixing the highways, they should also construct the emergency shoulder lanes a little bigger.

Post Merge: August 28, 2014, 07:31:13 PM

Dateland Travel Center
Dateland, AZ
I-8

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/15035874951/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/15038565722/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/14840398609/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/14838918168/in/photostream/

Post Merge: August 28, 2014, 07:31:06 PM

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/15026111542/in/photostream/
Juan de Onate

A similar plaque is found at the New Mexico Welcome Center in Anthony. His route is parallel to current MX 45 & I-25.

Post Merge: August 28, 2014, 07:31:02 PM

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfs1988/15003854466/in/photostream/

Sunbeam Rest Area along I-8 in Imperial County.



Opinions expressed here on belong solely to the poster and do not represent or reflect the opinions or beliefs of AARoads, its creators and/or associates.