Driving the Scenic Route of Puerto San Luis Through Sierra Madre Occidental
Puerto San Luis is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,967m (6,453ft) above sea level, located in Mexico. It is a mountain road in the middle of a desert.
Where is Puerto San Luis?
The pass is located on the boundary between Sonora and Chihuahua states, in the northern part of Mexico, near the USA border.
Is Puerto San Luis paved?
The road through the summit was built between the 1970s and 1980s and is entirely paved. It’s called Carretera Federal 2.
How long is Puerto San Luis?
The pass is 160km (100 miles) long, running west-east from Agua Prieta (in the northeastern corner of the state of Sonora) to Janos (in the state of Chihuahua).
Is Puerto San Luis difficult in winters?
Set high in Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, the road is open year-round but is extremely challenging in winters due to snow and ice. As a recommendation on these types of roads and climates, it is always to evaluate it and always drive defensively, always be alert in the curves. In terms of weather, you have to follow the recommendations of the authorities; normally, the Federal Police close the pass in Agua Prieta Sonora, 90 kilometers away, and in Janos Chihuahua, 77 kilometers away. However, you’ll have to keep an eye on the weather forecast. Even so, if there is a report of cold weather and that there is a risk of being stranded, do not take the risk, better wait for it to improve and pass more safely.
How challenging is the drive through Puerto San Luis?
It features steep sections and narrow parts. The toughest part is a hairpin called 'La Herradura'. The road is heavily used by trucks causing often traffic jams. The truck going up always has priority since some of them are loaded and it is very difficult to start again if they stay halfway up, and thus the one going down has to wait for the one going up to pass so that they do not collide due to the narrowness of the road. Remember the unwritten rules of a trailer/truck driver (Reglas de Oro in Spanish): the truck going up always has priority, as you drive on a winding road with heavy vehicles and blind turns, slow speed is highly recommended, do not stay the truck on a turn while waiting so it is really dangerous. Due to the conditions of the road, the Mexican government is planning to improve the road shortly.
Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez