Directions to base camp

I use the Laredo border crossing, since I will be driving straight down I-35 from Austin. Once across the border, I-35 turns into Nuevo Laredo 85. Take NL 85 south through Monterrey. This can be a bit tricky, so don't forget the map! You'll pass through Santiago. Look for El Cercado and turn off there, following the "Cola de Caballo" signs. Stay on the paved road past Cola de Caballo. Go past the turnoff for Portrero Redondo. Stay on the paved road and go through the spectacular Canon la Boca. You'll come out in San Isidro, take the turn to Laguna de Sanchez. Just before you climb the hill to L de S, look for the orange flagging tape at the (steep) turn to the cabin. Follow this drive up the hill along the fence to the cabin, and park somewhere out of the way. The flagging will be there and the cabin unlocked only if I get there before you. If you can't find the cabin, head up to the village, have a cerveza, and drive back down towards San Isidro later, looking for the flagging. [We'll only be at the Cabin Friday night and part of Saturday morning. If you get there late, continue through L de S to La Camotera plateau. Ask the locals "Donde esta el camino a La Camotera?" and you'll do just fine!]

The road log from NL 85 in El Cercado is like this (I used miles because US cars record mile on the odometers instead of kilometers):

Mile 0.0 Turn off NL85 in El Cercado. Follow signs to Cola de Caballo.
Mile 8.3 Turnoff for Portrero Redondo. Go straight.
Mile 14.0 Village of La Cienaga.
Mile 23.0 Village of San Isidro.
Mile 24.9 Cabin.

Austin to Monterrey (184k)

Monterrey Area (252k)

Monterrey City (918k)

Nuevo Laredo (393k)