Visitors with sturdy, high-clearance vehicles may be able traverse the Sierra de la Laguna in dry weather via a road that leaves Mexico 1 about 16 kilometers (10 mi) south of Miraflores (about 8 km/5 mi north of Santa Anita) near Km 55. Among gringo road hogs this route is often called the “Naranjas road”; the correct name is Ramal Los Naranjos (naranjo means “orange tree,” a probable reference to the many small citrus farms in the area).

Because parts of it may suffer from washouts, this is not a road to tackle during the rainy season (July–Sept.), and you should make inquiries at any time of year to determine whether the road is clear all the way.

From the Mexico 1 turnoff the road leads west-northwest 42 kilometers (26 mi) to the village of El Aguaje, past the ranchitos of San Miguel, Cieneguita, San Pedro de la Soledad, and El Remudadero. The ungraded road passes a couple of 1,500- to 1,800-meter (5,000- to 6,000-ft) peaks before cresting at around 1,035 meters (3,400 ft) and descending into a challenging set of sharp curves and grades approaching 30 percent.

At 27 kilometers (17 mi) from Mexico 1 you get your first view of the Pacific Ocean, by which point the road begins hugging the edge of a rock mountain. Shortly thereafter the road may be washed out or blocked by rock slides and you may not be able to continue.

The track eventually widens to a graded, gravel road near El Aguaje, then continues another 12.8 kilometers (8 mi) before terminating at Mexico 19 near Playa Los Cerritos south of Todos Santos.

Two INEGI topo maps, San José del Cabo F12B44 and La Candelaria F12B43, would make helpful—though not required—companions on this cross-sierra road trip.