2015 Baja Pole Line Road 4x4 Run (April 4th, 5th, 6th - 2015)
On Saturday morning, our group met in front of the Calexico Pep Boys where Nomads, WranglerForum.com, JustRuns4WDClub, and BajaPoleLineRoad/Facebook
people chatted and discussed our challenging 4WD route that lie beyond Mex. Hwy 2.
(Nomads Ed Hall and ChuckMRN talk JEEP and Baja)
(Nomads John M., TW and David K. excited about the big run!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Baja_California_earthquake
After assembling our group, we drove into Mexicali. The area still heavily damaged from the 2010 Baja California earthquake which shook the twin
cities of Mexicali and Calexico. Many buildings were not repaired such as this one. I parked in front of 'El Puente' briefly while Joe followed us
after getting his Icon Suspension-equipped Tacoma inspected.
New housing beside old lots and foundations in Mexicali
Asadero Morlan and the NEW $8 Laguna Salada entry fee!
After getting turned around in Mexicali, we stopped for gas at a PEMEX station that had plenty of space to serve our group of 9 (out of 15 total)
vehicles. From the PEMEX, we drove down HWY 2 about 10 miles and made our way to Progreso for some AMAZING FOOD!
Asadero Morlan, Progreso/Mexicali - Hwy 2
(left to right: Ed Hall, Frigate Bird, Alma, David K order the good stuff)
(Left to right: Agustin, Joe, Ed Hall, Mike H., Sherry, Will)
Sherry has a Coke and a smile!
The crew at Asadero El Morlan really served the best food with a smile!
Each of the four Jeeps on this run have the RUBICON package, making for some mean, crawlin' machines!
The $8 LAGUNA SALADA ENTRY FEE and COHABUZO JUNCTION
The center of Progreso features this neat building which is getting reinforcements for the next big earthquake.
So, after David K protested at the new LAGUNA SALADA ENTRY FEE, we all got in for $6 instead. I felt like driving around the fence, but what good is
it to act the part of the ugly American?
Huitzi and Agustin at COHABUZO JUNCTION enjoy some family time and a few snacks.
One of the rare photos of MICK (left) as he talks to friends and makes new ones from the NOMAD board.
Ed Hall and his red Rubicon. With a 6" Full-Traction long-arm suspension, 35" MT/Rs with Kevlar, a Toys by Troy cage, and a host of Jeep do-dads,
Ed's Jeep is all business.
Our group of 15 4x4s left COHABUZO for the Caņon Alamito - just below the Jamau summit. What a lineup! [/URL] [/URL] [/URL]
The drive was long and dusty, but just 3 hours later, we made it to the locked gate below the summit! [/URL] [/URL]
Just as we found where we wanted to enter the Pole Line Road, ChuckMRN alerted me that MICK's Ford Ranger was having transmission problems. John M.
and friend Ryan decided to drive back to MICK's place where they would tow the wounded Ranger and get the front seal replaced and repaired. So long,
amigo...
The Pole Line Road picks up along an old ranching trail (now), before it reaches an intersection. You must travel
through brush approximately 2/3 of a mile before reaching your destination.
Rocks and other obstacles line the trail, and provide dozens of reasons why an "Off Road" vehicle normally does not venture "Off Road" entirely.
Here, David K and HUITZI travel the rough stretch before reaching the more established trail.
The area close to the Summit is stunning. Look at all of the desert foilage, appearing to have been planted by a master gardener decades ago...
Thanks Ken for the photos... I will get my trip report up soon.
About the new toll gate for the 1/2 mile dirt road to Laguna Salada set up just on weekends: As one who asks questions to get to the truth, I was
compelled to question who these people were and what was being provided in exchange for the 100 pesos (which is actually $6.67 at the 15:1 rate being
posted in Mexicali or $6.90 at the rate the gas station gave of 14.50:1). It was another one in the group that said tell her to give us a 'group
discount', not me... and so $6.00 was agreed, so not a huge discount. My point was the road has been there for ages and she or her family did not make
it. I asked what services did people get for the 100 pesos (no palapas, no trash cans, no baņos... just a half mile drive on an old dirt road). She
replied pointing to her mouth that she gets to eat with our money! So, it was a good thing we gringos came along so she could eat well that day!
Her land, her road. She can do what she wants without answering to a gringo. Good thing she was gracious. I know some who would have locked the
gate and walked away.
Oh, no locking gate and walking away, she wanted the money! We discussed going the graded road, but I was one for using the dry lake bed, and so we
went with my suggestion, and the lady made out. A CODE off road race is next weekend, so she will eat well again then!
Not to hijack the thread.. Just an observation FWIW.. There is a guy with homemade signs that moves around to different spots in the Valle de Trinidad
area (Independencia-Jamau-Vineyard Road) on Baja 500 and Baja 1000 race days. He blocks the trail and demands $5.00 to pass. It is a bs scam!!!
Pardon the interruption. Now back to the Trip Report...
The entire Caņon Alamito was/is in full bloom. Fragrant blooms of gold and blue along with bright green Ocotillo made
for stunning desert vistas, in whichever direction you looked.
A lone water tank sits in a solitary valley between the Alamito and Enmedio canyons. Elite, Alma, and Sherry each
decided to climb atop the White Tank and take in the surrounding views.
The Pole Line Road doesn't show its true colors until you enter Caņon Enmedio. There, it shows that rocks can come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
Ones that move beneath your vehicle, and ones that point the way to the next obstacle. 73 years of American road building, gone almost forgotten...
Twin Mercedes G500's drive down the first cobblestone grade. Harald and Carl show what their G-Wagons are capable of, while Mike and Joe's Red and
White Tacoma's follow the meandering hand laid path.
I stopped for a photograph along the 'Perfect Cobblestone Hill' identified by Neal Johns decades ago, and shared with me in 2004.
Enmedio provided some challenges for everyone! Here, Larry (Lorenzo de Baja) idles his Nissan Diesel pickup through a rock garden.
Alma helped direct the 2015 diesel through the rocky Enmedio.
EHall tackled the rocky Enmedio with gusto! [/URL]
Mike and Sherry followed in their stock Tacoma - going everywhere the big Jeeps went.
EHall on the rocks!
Elite guided Will through the rocky Enmedio
I got out of my Jeep to guide Larry - to keep those shiny chrome wheels without scratches!
There are no pictures of Basketball Hill, because it went from 'Moderate' to 'Black Diamond' in just a few short years. A burned out Z71 pickup is
tucked away into the hillside, warning drivers of the cost of a misstep up this rain-ravaged trail.
Will and Elite ascend the challenging 'Basketball Hill'
Lorenzo and Alma made it to the top
Huitzi and his Father Agustin cruised to the top in their built JKUnlimited
Joe 'Frigate Bird' made it to the top in his Icon Suspension-equipped Tacoma with flexy camper on top!
Harald '4x4abc' flexing his G-500 easily to the top.
Carl outfitted his G-500 with the new BFGoodrich AT/KO2 tires.
Everyone waiting for David K
Yes, he used his A-Trac to ascend Basketball Hill!
Ladies and Gentlemen, the 2015 Baja Pole Line Group!
In 2005, this Suzuki could have been hauled out of Caņon Enmedio, rebuilt, and driven home. NOT NOW!
EHall and BajaTrailRider (Lorenzo) look at all of the damage this Zuk suffered at the hands of a nasty flash flood.
Mike also got a good laugh out of the damaged Zuk
The hubs still lock-in as EHall demonstrates
Only 68K miles on the odometer!
Joe uses his 'Selfie-stick' to better film our Suzuki encounter. Our group had some top-notch electronics on this trip. From photography and video
equipment to GPS gear, 'Nomads aren't known to skimp!
"If it were lush and rich, one could understand the pull, but it is fierce and hostile and sullen.
The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back
if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt
"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them or to them." - Malcolm Forbes
"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others
cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn
"The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer." - Cunningham's Law
Thankyou to Baja Bound
Mexico InsuranceServices for your long-term support of the BajaNomad.com Forums site.
Emergency Baja Contacts Include:
Desert Hawks;
El Rosario-based ambulance transport; Emergency #: (616) 103-0262
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