Our group woke up to skies that had largely cleared of any actual rainclouds. The sky began to take on a more ubiquitous Baja quality. After handing
the group a Sunday agenda, explaining our expected route, travel distances, times and trail ratings, we headed south towards the Summit road. I had
this feeling that the three Jeeps were camped just ahead of us on the trail, and all I spotted was a mirage off in the distance that resembled the
reflection of their windows.
Eventually, I spotted the camp spot and radioed to our group that the Jeeps were ahead in the trail. After a short 40 minutes on the trail, we
happily exited our vehicles and greeted everyone. Our next stop led us above the silty arroyos to Arroyo Saiz. We made excellent time to Arroyo
Saiz, stopping there for a lunch stop. Once we entered the makeshift gates leading to the Pole Line Road, we walked over to the large, heavy gate and
looked at the bulking lock inside of a large, plated block of steel. Someone had appeared to try cutting into the gate, but to no avail. The gate
continued to block ingress to anyone with anything larger than a 2-wheeled bike. The trail appeared undriven, and with a large boulder placed beside
the gate, one would now be obligated to travel the roughly 2 kilometers along the easement southwest to the easy go-around.
Go-around we went! Our elation to be finally traveling along the Pole Line Road - 75 Years after its' inception had quickly turned to outrage. The
entire area was now blocked with a series of metal fencing! There would be no Pole Line Run for the Akula and Karen who drove their Jeep from
Vancouver Island! No Pole Line Run for Huitzi who drove his Jeep from San Bernardino to Rosarito with his Father along the precarious Hwy 2, earlier
the day before! No Pole Line Run - not today, not ever again. End of run, end of thread. Goodbye.
Ken so sorry your group was blocked. More and more areas are being fenced off.
I wonder how far the trail goes coming from the east side by way of arroyo grande. The motorcycle guys made it to the bad hill didn't they. Maybe it
can be done up to Basketball Hill.
Never give up, never surrender Ken. What about seeing if you could get to Neal Johns Campo Victoria (he also gave GPS for the road to the white water
tank from the north)... No going around to Arroyo Grande to work on rebuilding then road washed out up to then Pole Mesa?
OK, so what did you do the rest of your weekend. I saw your Facebook post from San Felipe?
Enquiring minds want to know!
Our group rounded the hill and encountered a barrier that we managed to finesse allowing easy passage through to the other side. But once we crossed
into the Pole Line region, Bill (Land Rover guy) heard what he thought were gunshots off into the distance
Then, one by one, we all began to hear the same repetitious gunfire! Was the rancher shooting at us? I told the group that thiz run would be better
off vacating, but Akula had a different idea. He hiked up the ridge, and judged what we thought was gunfire was coming from another canyon about 10
miles away. I drove up the ridge with Saturnino, our new friend from Mexicali, because he wanted to sort the whole thing out. Once we climbed up the
ridge, there were no angry Rancheros visible. So, we ascended the trail, but saw an additional fence along the ridgetop! I got out of my Jeep, and
Saturnino and I hiked the hill for a better view. The ridgetop fence was open! I radioed the group and up and over the pass we went on our Pole Line
adventure!
So understand dont waste your time always searching for those wasted years
face up and make your stand and realize that your living in the golden years
Once our group reached the White Tank, it became obvious that there were no angry Rancheros on horseback anywhere to be seen. So, our group lined up
our Jeeps and trucks before taking a late lunch and photo session of our Jeeps.
The weather looked great, the desert was the greenest it has ever looked recently, and our group was able to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Bill the Land Rover guy
Huitzi and his Dad Agustin
Akula obviously has no fear of heights
From the White Tank, it was a simple drive to Basketball Hill. Everyone climbed it, then posed for the traditional photo.
We then continued to Jaquegel canyon for Camp night #2 - arriving at 4 pm just as stated on the agenda. It was an early evening for most of us, with
everyone beaming about the fairly easy trail run we have handled thus far.
Hey, great to see... So, are you where the palm trees are or are you where we camped the second night in 2015? That means the washed out road was not
a problem! You saw the poles?
The canyon received some major damage, blocking passage into the section where palm trees are visible, David. According to Saturnino, a large boulder
now blocks the road leading to the cold spring.
Nice jeep and trailer, real nice,, thnks for the pics lks like a blast
So understand dont waste your time always searching for those wasted years
face up and make your stand and realize that your living in the golden years
"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
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cliffhanger worked on me glad ya had fun anyhoots
