La Turquesa Trek

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve&ebby I am interested but where is La Turquesa?

Nomad Search will give you lot's of hits... but since I am to blame in getting Squarecircle interested in this...

The Highway One side: http://vivabaja.com/207

The Highway Five side: http://vivabaja.com/wayno

High resolution Google space images allow you to see all of the route in high detail except for about 3 miles from Highway 1 east.

Google info: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=10620&pag...

Baja Nomad 'steekers' plans on going up and down it soon, and will report to us if he spots a route for 4 wheelers.

The issue is about 1 1/4 mile section in the arroyo between the turquoise mine and the bottom of the steep grade coming down from the Highway One side.

Kacey Smith in her Baja GPS motorcycle guide says to keep to the north side of the arroyo no matter how inviting other routes appear, as they have plant issues.

However, her route has boulders to work between. Okay for a bike, but not a vehicle. The middle or perhaps south side of the arroyo has plants that block the bikes, but may be plowed over or removed for four wheelers... only need about 9 feet wide and only to re-open the once established route washed out... Not like the destruction caused by the buiding of Hwy. 1 through the cactus desert with its 200 foot wide destruction of centuries old boojums and cardons!

An earlier reply by Desert Bull made it sound like he and Wild Bill came through there... But Squarecircle nor Ken Cooke saw any tracks...

Lot's of posts on this La Turquesa Canyon road since Baja Angel and I drove to the top of the grade and walked down some of it a year ago... Looks like an abandoned mine road that got washed out between the bottom of the grade and the turquoise mine.

Here's some of the grade heading down into La Turquesa Canyon:




[Edited on 4-3-2008 by David K]

A look up the grade from almost halfway down... a good 'Jeep' trail, at least here...

La Turquesa Trek

Greetings All,

A special thank you to those NOMADS responding to the La Turquesa Trek. - BAJACAT/Fatboy/TW/ bajalou/Steve&ebby/
Neal Johns/Gadget/David K.


1-- May 1, Thursday. Leave San Diego am head for El Rosario
and Baja Cactus Motel. Reservation required. Telephone
011-52(616)165-8700.

2-- May 2--3 Friday & Saturday. Drive M-1 to Laguna Chapala
>>> Coco's Corner >>> Las Arrastras de Arriola >>> La
Turquesa mine site >>> into the arroyo to start way-find-
ing and westward progress!

3-- May 4 Sunday. Celebrate the accomplishment and head
Home.

Regards, sq.

I'll give it a go:

Make sure to carry those pry bars, bottles of sunscreen, hats, water, gloves, and GPS units. I'm sure that with enough work, and the right logistics, a way through can be found.

Sounds exciting. Are bikes allowed?

Our problem was scoping out a route which wasn't dominated by huge brush since the wash was filled with large rocks, dropoffs, and thorny brush. It could be negotiated, but it also looked like a bit of work and dedication.

I drove up the south side of the arroyo (not advisable), and up a dry waterfall. The lava rock was so sticky, my Jeep went up it, lifted the passenger tire straight in the air, and I nearly flopped it on my drivers side. This is without using my lockers. Keep an eye on this, since traction can also bring trouble if you're not careful.

This outcropping is not as tippy as it appears from behind the drivers seat. Mike actually lifted a tire here with his swaybar disconnected up front.




Further up from the outcropping (coming from the Coco's Corner road), you will see this interesting dropoff. Spotting is never a bad idea, especially with the terrain here..

Thanks for your call last night Roy (sqcrcl). You sure have your elastic waste band, one size fits all cargo pants in a bunch about this deal .

Seriously, I would love to bring GSB and help out but finances are very tight for us right now. Leslie has the budget locked down pretty tight thankfully, or I would have us in even more stress

So, and I'm fishing here, if anyone out there would like to co-dog with me on this and share fuel expenses, there may be a possibility that Les could be convinced to let me go, and Roy would stop calling and bugging me. I've asked him to just call Leslie and lobby for me, but he's scared of her too.

I think Roy wants the 4 wheels with power and the 9500i winch of GSB down there.

You know this work, or lack thereof, deal just sucks
What I need is a professional life sponsor so I can just do what I like. Anyone!!!

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You know this work, or lack thereof, deal just sucks What I need is a professional life sponsor so I can just do what I like. Anyone!!!

Too bad you aren't a different sex and marital status. I've seen that worked to perfection here in SoCal.

[Edited on 4-11-2008 by Hook]

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook Quote: You know this work, or lack thereof, deal just sucks What I need is a professional life sponsor so I can just do what I like. Anyone!!! Too bad you aren't a different sex and marital status. I've seen that worked to perfection here in SoCal. [Edited on 4-11-2008 by Hook]

No one will ever be able to convince that I didn't marry up. I married my "sugar momma" for reasons other than money though.

And please keep your thoughts clean, that isn't what I meant.... entirely

You did good Will!

In November, we had to pull thorns out of the sidewall of the Tacoma that is pictured here. It was totally unexpected, but due to a little driver error, and the really tight nature of this trail, circumstances happened.



I was thinking primarily about your vehicle's bolt pattern and the interchangeability with other participating vehicles. Viva Baja!

La Turquesa Trek

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Originally posted by The squarecircle Quote: Originally posted by Gadget Maybe. Which direction do you plan on going in from? Accomodations and supplies are better on the Hwy 1 side, but it may be easier to go up then to go down so Gonzaga would be base camp? [/quot Greetings All, A special thank you to those NOMADS responding to the La Turquesa Trek. - BAJACAT/Fatboy/TW/ bajalou/Steve&ebby/ Neal Johns/Gadget/David K. 1-- May 1, Thursday. Leave San Diego am head for El Rosario and Baja Cactus Motel. Reservation required. Telephone 011-52(616)165-8700. 2-- May 2--3 Friday & Saturday. Drive M-1 to Laguna Chapala >>> Coco's Corner >>> Las Arrastras de Arriola >>> La Turquesa mine site >>> into the arroyo to start way-find- ing and westward progress! 3-- May 4 Sunday. Celebrate the accomplishment and head Home. Regards, sq. Greetings All, >>>> BUMP this please!! >>>>Regards, sq.

STEEKERS PICS

Two photos show both the valley and then the grade up the mountain, from the turquoise mine... Steekers didn't say why his trip to Santa Ynez was cancelled, but we all know how Baja can be... She doesn't give up her secrets easily!!!

Thanks Michael for going to the mine and getting the great photos that clearly show the grade coming down the mountain from Hwy. 1!

Photo A, shows the canyon/ valley from the mine to the mountain side... the grade is on the right in the background:

PHOTO 'B'

Here is a close up of the grade... reduced for Nomad posting. If any of the La Turquesa road building crew wants the full size image, let me know!

Looks like about a 1- to 2-hour hike or 15-minute mtn bike. Why beat up your vehicles when you can hike or bike it in shorter time (and get cardio vascular work out at same time)?
Lack of roads is what draws us to remote areas. Creating roads just opens up remote areas for the crowds, then y'all complain about how it used to be better before the crowds.

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Originally posted by mtgoat666 Quote: Originally posted by David K Here is a close up of the grade... reduced for Nomad posting. If any of the La Turquesa road building crew wants the full size image, let me know! Looks like about a 1- to 2-hour hike or 15-minute mtn bike. Why beat up your vehicles when you can hike or bike it in shorter time (and get cardio vascular work out at same time)? Lack of roads is what draws us to remote areas. Creating roads just opens up remote areas for the crowds, then y'all complain about how it used to be better before the crowds.

Barry, see this web page that created the idea of re-opening this washed out road... it shows the grade (upper half) as I walked down almost halfway... http://vivabaja.com/207

The squarecircle later walked all the way down, from the top... It is an old 'Jeep road' from perhaps the pre-Hwy. 1 years. The upper half I walked, is of no concern to me in my Tacoma... It would be tight in a full size truck or SUV. The reason for walking down was that I didn't know if there would be a safe place to turn around IF there was some drop off/ wash-out beyond where I could see, from the top.

As it turns out, there was a place to turn around half way down...

MtGoat: It is to create a shortcut for 4WDs to use between Cataviña (Hwy. 1) and Gonzaga Bay/ Puertecitos/ etc. Not just a 10 mile excursion with no purpose except open up more beautiful country to more people.

A short cut will save FUEL and thus be environmentally friendly to the earth! The distance from Hwy. 1 to Gonzaga would be reduced by 20 miles overall by not driving down to Chapala 12 miles only to have to drive back north 18 miles towards Gonzaga Bay.... just the 10 miles via La Turquesa!

And (as Barry pointed out), not all of us are physically able to hike or climb in the desert for such distances, if at all... but that sould not be used to descriminate against all such people... it's their planet too!

The distance from the bottom of the turquoise mine to the bottom of the grade is about 1.3 miles... of the total approx. 10-11 miles between Hwy. 5 and Hwy. 1.

[Edited on 4-15-2008 by David K]

OK then...I am still trying to find out how to get to remote areas if we don't take roads?....."hike and bike" ?.....

Well....even how to get to BAJA without using roads....oh that's right ..."..hike and bike...."

La Turquesa Trek

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Originally posted by The squarecircle Quote: Originally posted by The squarecircle Quote: Originally posted by Gadget Maybe. Which direction do you plan on going in from? Accomodations and supplies are better on the Hwy 1 side, but it may be easier to go up then to go down so Gonzaga would be base camp? [/quot Greetings All, A special thank you to those NOMADS responding to the La Turquesa Trek. - BAJACAT/Fatboy/TW/ bajalou/Steve&ebby/ Neal Johns/Gadget/David K. 1-- May 1, Thursday. Leave San Diego am head for El Rosario and Baja Cactus Motel. Reservation required. Telephone 011-52(616)165-8700. 2-- May 2--3 Friday & Saturday. Drive M-1 to Laguna Chapala >>> Coco's Corner >>> Las Arrastras de Arriola >>> La Turquesa mine site >>> into the arroyo to start way-find- ing and westward progress! 3-- May 4 Sunday. Celebrate the accomplishment and head Home. Regards, sq. Greetings All, >>>> BUMP this please!! >>>>Regards, sq. Greetings All, Lets get it done! >>> Only 13 days until the La Turquesa Trek. So far possible participances are, 1. BAJACAT 2. Neal Johns 3. TW 4. bajalou 5. Gadget 6. Steve&ebby 7. David K 8. CG 9. XRPhang 10. Ken Cooke 11. steekers 12. Ty Tipton Any interested in caravaning all or partway to the mine site can meet in Tecate, U.S.A. gas station 0800 hrs May 1, 2008 thursday. > I have planned some very interesting stops on the way to El Rosario, the first nite stop over. > See above itinerary. La Turquesa Trek is not an easy run and not for the faint of heart. > This is a challange to any 4X4 and has had much discussion on these BajaNomad Forums. I suggest reading all threads on La Turquesa Trek before committing to this trek. Lets start a new committment list here. 1. squarecircle 2. Richard Fisher 3. +. Happy trails, sq.

Mtn. Goat 666 is a wuss

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Originally posted by surfer jimWell....even how to get to BAJA without using roads....oh that's right ..."..hike and bike...."

I actually bike most weekends to stay in shape. So, I have nothing against those pasttimes. I'll be hiking into the mud caves in Anza Borrego. But, if your time is short, and you need to see Baja during just 1 week, this method of travel is impractical. Mtn Goat 666 likes to drop in, in order to "Stir the pot", but he is just trying to jab at ppl.

Remember his comment about lifted vehicles being unsafe? Does his Saturn have a lift on it?

Remember is comment about mud-terrain tires being unsafe? Does his Saturn have mud-terrain tires on it?

His "Hike & Bike" comment? Does his mother drop him off at the border so he can hike and/or bike throughout the peninsula?

La Turquesa Trek

La Turquesa Trek

La Turquesa Trek

Quote:

Originally posted by The squarecircle Quote: Originally posted by The squarecircle Quote: Originally posted by The squarecircle Quote: Originally posted by Gadget Maybe. Which direction do you plan on going in from? Accomodations and supplies are better on the Hwy 1 side, but it may be easier to go up then to go down so Gonzaga would be base camp? [/quot Greetings All, A special thank you to those NOMADS responding to the La Turquesa Trek. - BAJACAT/Fatboy/TW/ bajalou/Steve&ebby/ Neal Johns/Gadget/David K. 1-- May 1, Thursday. Leave San Diego am head for El Rosario and Baja Cactus Motel. Reservation required. Telephone 011-52(616)165-8700. 2-- May 2--3 Friday & Saturday. Drive M-1 to Laguna Chapala >>> Coco's Corner >>> Las Arrastras de Arriola >>> La Turquesa mine site >>> into the arroyo to start way-find- ing and westward progress! 3-- May 4 Sunday. Celebrate the accomplishment and head Home. Regards, sq. Greetings All, >>>> BUMP this please!! >>>>Regards, sq. Greetings All, Lets get it done! >>> Only 9 days until the La Turquesa Trek. So far possible participances are, 1. BAJACAT 2. Neal Johns 3. TW 4. bajalou 5. Gadget 6. Steve&ebby 7. David K 8. CG 9. XRPhang 10. Ken Cooke 11. steekers 12. Ty Tipton Any interested in caravaning all or partway to the mine site can meet in Tecate, U.S.A. gas station 0800 hrs May 1, 2008 thursday. > I have planned some very interesting stops on the way to El Rosario, the first nite stop over. > See above itinerary. La Turquesa Trek is not an easy run and not for the faint of heart. > This is a challange to any 4X4 and has had much discussion on these BajaNomad Forums. I suggest reading all threads on La Turquesa Trek before committing to this trek. Lets start a new committment list here. 1. squarecircle 2. Richard Fisher 3. TW 4. BJ 5. XRPhang 7. 8. 9. +. Happy trails, sq.

La Turquesa Trek

Quote:

Originally posted by The squarecircle Quote: Originally posted by The squarecircle Quote: Originally posted by The squarecircle Quote: Originally posted by The squarecircle Quote: Originally posted by Gadget Maybe. Which direction do you plan on going in from? Accomodations and supplies are better on the Hwy 1 side, but it may be easier to go up then to go down so Gonzaga would be base camp? [/quot Greetings All, A special thank you to those NOMADS responding to the La Turquesa Trek. - BAJACAT/Fatboy/TW/ bajalou/Steve&ebby/ Neal Johns/Gadget/David K. 1-- May 1, Thursday. Leave San Diego am head for El Rosario and Baja Cactus Motel. Reservation required. Telephone 011-52(616)165-8700. 2-- May 2--3 Friday & Saturday. Drive M-1 to Laguna Chapala >>> Coco's Corner >>> Las Arrastras de Arriola >>> La Turquesa mine site >>> into the arroyo to start way-find- ing and westward progress! 3-- May 4 Sunday. Celebrate the accomplishment and head Home. Regards, sq. Greetings All, >>>> BUMP this please!! >>>>Regards, sq. Greetings All, Lets get it done! >>> Only 6 days until the La Turquesa Trek. So far possible participances are, 1. BAJACAT 2. Neal Johns 3. TW 4. bajalou 5. Gadget 6. Steve&ebby 7. David K 8. CG 9. XRPhang 10. Ken Cooke 11. steekers 12. Ty Tipton Any interested in caravaning all or partway to the mine site can meet in Tecate, U.S.A. gas station 0800 hrs May 1, 2008 thursday. > I have planned some very interesting stops on the way to El Rosario, the first nite stop over. > See above itinerary. La Turquesa Trek is not an easy run and not for the faint of heart. > This is a challange to any 4X4 and has had much discussion on these BajaNomad Forums. I suggest reading all threads on La Turquesa Trek before committing to this trek. Lets start a new committment list here. 1. squarecircle 2. Richard Fisher 3. TW 4. BJ 5. XRPhang 7. CG 8. 9. +. Happy trails, sq.

La Turquesa Trek

Oh Roy, stop it. I have never heard of anyone even purchasing said license let alone getting asked if they have one or having the radio confiscated because they don't.

I guess you can pretty much pay for anything in Mex if you ask them to take your money for it.

Just think what an industry this could be during a SCORE race, with officials checking every vehicle with an antenna on the roof for proper licensing of the 2 meter inside. It would be chaos!

Fdt, no fair passing this along to anyone

Jeeebus!


What is all the uproar about radios? At the risk of starting a radio info pfi$$ing match, here is the general info.

CBs are legal there anywhere, anytime, FRS/GMRS are used regularly by folks up and down the penninsula, like RV caravans, lost seniors in WalMart, beachcombers and parents with teenagers they're trying to keep track of. Ham two meter (144-148 MHz) rigs are used legally through RECIPROCAL LICENSING AGREEMENTS between the Mexican and U.S. governments (a standing question on the FCC license test in the U.S.). VHF marine band radios are used by locals, hotels, ejidos and pangeros for daily communication, marine and otherwise.

Race radios use U.S. commercial band FM frequencies in Mexico through an agreement between race organizers and the Mexican communications authorities. If anybody confiscates your gear, you have a legitimate grievance with somebody higher up the Baja food chain.

[Edited on 4-28-2008 by TacoFeliz]

[Edited on 4-28-2008 by TacoFeliz]

Good luck on locating the route. I hope everything goes as planned. I will report back from the Goa Gil event in Tijuana next week.

Just can't wait to hear 24 hours of Goa Trance.

Have a good trip and good luck. I'm not going to make it sadly

I won't be making this or Goa Gill, got a case of the crud.

Quote:

Originally posted by CG I won't be making this or Goa Gill, got a case of the crud.

Chris can't go to Goa Gil, and I'm not leaving my Rubicon parked on the street in TJ, so unfortunately I'm not gonna hear my Psychedelic Trance guru, either.


Waaaa!!!

[Edited on 5-2-2008 by Ken Cooke]

Strictly speaking, yes. At least for the ham bands. Understand that does not mean passing the ham test in Mexico, rather paying a fee to get the temporary license granted under the reciprocity agreement mentioned. The commercial bands fall under a different set of rules.

I have a U.S. license. Have I ever followed this procedure? No. Have I ever even been asked (beyond curious remarks - I have three radios in the truck and a satellite phone and two GPS units)? No - the soldiers at the checkpoint are more interested in the 8-cell MagLite Up to a few years ago, they didn't even know what the GPS unit was -- now they ask GPS? I say yes -- all good. Pretty much what you would expect.

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Originally posted by lencho Quote: Originally posted by Roberto Quote: Originally posted by lencho Huh? Sorry, I haven't taken that test for a while... you mean you don't need to get an XE call sign for 2 meter? Does that extend to other bands also? --Larry Strictly speaking, yes. At least for the ham bands. Understand that does not mean passing the ham test in Mexico, rather paying a fee to get the temporary license granted under the reciprocity agreement mentioned. Now I'm really confused. Does that "temporary license" grant me an XE call or am I then legally operating in Mexico with my U.S. call? Does anyone here have an XE call? --Larry

At least it wasnt a TOY ota.........

Anxiously awaiting the details.

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Originally posted by lencho Quote: Originally posted by Roberto Quote: Originally posted by lencho Huh? Sorry, I haven't taken that test for a while... you mean you don't need to get an XE call sign for 2 meter? Does that extend to other bands also? --Larry Strictly speaking, yes. At least for the ham bands. Understand that does not mean passing the ham test in Mexico, rather paying a fee to get the temporary license granted under the reciprocity agreement mentioned. Now I'm really confused. Does that "temporary license" grant me an XE call or am I then legally operating in Mexico with my U.S. call? Does anyone here have an XE call? --Larry

Quote:

Originally posted by lencho Quote: Originally posted by Hook Here is a link that explains the complexities in getting a reciprocal license. It's a little more involved than just applying with one form, according to this link. I got this off the Club Cruceros of La Paz site. I have not applied yet. http://www.geocities.com/wd9ewk/xe-permit.html Thanks. That's very useful. Looks like I (general class) could get a class II (all bands) for 5 years for US$70, which might be worthwhile. (hmmm... whatever did I do with my ham license... ) --Larry

Roy, when you get back online.... you need to share some D E T A I L S !!!

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Originally posted by David K Quote: Originally posted by The squarecircle Greetings All, >>> It is done. >>> Now Land Rover's LR 3 RULES period! Regards, sq. Roy, when you get back online.... you need to share some D E T A I L S !!!

X2...

I figure he's getting caught up on his sleep, buffing out scraches on his sheetmetal, or replacing plugged tires...

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Originally posted by lenchoNo need, I'm through. Sometimes it's hard to predict how far a casual side comment will develop, and before you realize it, we've dragged the original topic through the swamp. --Larry

On my way in November to La Turquesa...meeting The Baja Xplorer!! That's him on my right. Did you see him in Dust To Glory w/Coco???

I can't wait to get him & his Toyota (& crew) up into La Turquesa. His truck did wonders on the Pole Line Road in '04, btw...




Why isn't Mike smiling??? Probably because he can't find a way through to Hwy 1 at the La Turquesa mine. What a situation. His new '07 Jeep Rubicon JK did great on the trail, btw...

I've got to know......