I am planning to cross the Sea of Cortez by ferry on my motorcycle in April and am looking for some on the ground intel about what to expect on the roads. I am not looking for advise about documents, or road conditions, or not to drive at night. What I am looking for is contrary intel to the US State Department travel advisory that warns against any non-essential travel through Sonora, particularly the area north of Hermosillo to the border and west towards the crossing at Sonoyta.
Anyone at all have any recent experience?
In advance, thanks. Will

I was in the area last November and more recently this year in September, but only in the Mexicali area briefly.

Last November I crossed by Ferry La Paz to Mazatlan, then rode South a bit around Zacatecas, working my way North to Durango, Parral, Cuauhtemoc, then onto Mex 16, brief tour around Copper Canyon, then continuing on Mex 16 to Hermosillo. A great road through the Sierra.

From Hermosillo, made a Bee line to the border via Mex 15. LOTS of road construction, but no issues. On this trip I choose to cross at Nogales as it's closer, NOT because of any State dept. generated fears. But it's a LONG haul from Nogales to San Francisco.

I've also ridden the section you're planning on via Mex. 2 over to Sonoyita and crossed there ... but rode it coming South, stopping in Caborca. That was a few years ago. No issues ... even rode last two hours on Mex 2 at night into Caborca.

So, as you come North on Mex 15 you'll come to Santana and the junction of
Mex 15 and Mex 2.

GO WEST on Mex 2 to Caborca (very well signed). I see NO ISSUES here.
The Federal Police are everywhere and the Mex Army as well.
But make no mistake ... it's the Cartels running the show from behind the scenes. My feeling is tourists are pretty much left alone. But shit does happen.
Keep your head up, eyes open and always trust your gut!

I've taken the Topolobambo Ferry 3 times on previous trips. A great way to enter into Copper Canyon. If you have time or inclination, go for it.

Safe Travels!

Lots can change between now ( October) and April.
A good strategy would be to keep checking the news feeds from inside Mexico and get informed of what sorts of things might be of concern to you.
The State Dept. warnings are all blanket statements to cover any eventuality, and cover their assess .
And you may be well advised to indeed keep an eye open for any changes in documentation needs and road conditions . Anything CAN change .

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http://advrider.com/index.php?thread....207964/page-5 then scroll down to post #93

In jan 2015 I rode from Nogales to Hermosillo. No problems

Then when I left Copper Canyon I rode from:

El fuerte to Los Mochis to Mazatlan and then I went east do Durango - no problems.

But then again the halway point between los mochis and mazatlan is Culiacan. That is near where the two guyz from down under were killed a few weeks back.

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Alaska 2014: Hotel Budget ZeroXmas in Death Valley, New Year in Urique

If you hang around in Cartel owned bars in Culiacan or go snooping round back streets or go looking for Meth labs up in the hills outside town ... then I could see trouble coming your way. It's a Mexican gang town, owned and operated.

As most know, Culiacan is Cartel Central, former home of the famous Chapo Guzman, Cartel jefe, now on the lamb. The biggest danger are young cartel guys (many former Mexican military) sniffing up their own product. Muy loco.

Tweakers can be some of the most dangerous people on the planet. I learned this very well back in late 60's when Hippies started doing Speed, Heroin and Cocaine. SPEED was the worst; cheap and available. Worst drug ever. Never, ever, trust someone doing Speed.

That said, for normal tourists, I don't see any problems for those just passing through, or stopping in a nice hotel for one night. I did just that a few years ago after coming off Topolobambo Ferry. No problems ... and I arrived at midnight.

Stuff can happen, but in general I don't see a threat. I would not go exploring the foothills and Sierra near there at night. But I've crossed the Sierra there, gone via dirt roads over to Copper Canyon via Mex 24 to Guadalupe De Calvo. Look it up.

I will remember that about Culiacan.

BTW Guzman was busted today

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Alaska 2014: Hotel Budget ZeroXmas in Death Valley, New Year in Urique