el imposible trip report 2/4 (Matomi Wash/Matomi Canyon)
el imposible - Matomi Wash/Matomi Canyon
Our group spent two restful nights in San Felipe that provided us opportunities to sample local seafood delicacies both on the Malecón (at Del Mar,
Taco Factory, and Rice and Beans) as well as through local grocers selling locally sourced shellfish. Billy and Karen's birthdays were celebrated
poolside back at the Diamante. Rich led our group to the Matomi Wash, and through the challenging Matomi narrows.
The San Felipe desert is in the midst of a superbloom - the grounds and desert forests are carpeted with purple, white and yellow wildflowers. We
passed these colorful pockets along with majestic stands of Cardón at the junction with Matomi Wash and Matomi Canyon. Many of the bright hues
disappeared once inside the more rocky Matomi Wash, although some endemic Bottlebrush were able to germinate and flower near the trail. Considering
it's reputation the Matomi is a worthy component to the impossible route. Scenic cactus gardens gave way to sand and rocky paths with multiple
options for our six capably prepared Jeep and Toyota vehicles that were on today's run. Victor's exceptionally built two door JK on 38” BFG KM2s
ran an optional line through a rock garden, giving pause to the rest of the drivers as rocks needed to be stacked due to his rig being high-centered,
unable to self extract. His winchline was eventually used, pulling him down the large pile of rocks that blocked his rockcrawlers path.
Once past the sand-covered rock gardens, we drove about 15 miles through deep pockets of sand that could easily stop any modern, car-based SUV dead in
its tracks. Sharp rocks jetted out of fine, powderlike sand while sharp thorns from dried brush threatened all but the most utilitarian 4x4 tire
sidewalls.
The last 18 miles of Matomi canyon saw the red buttes, dotted with ubiquitous stands of Cardón fade into the more well-known, idyllic beach scenery
seen north of the Puertecitos area.
We selected San Felipe for two nights of downtime in between runs. Our Jeeps were beat up and needed some repairs.
Our route:
Victor's Control Arm mount (bolt) was broken and his steering was sloppy, necessitating his Jeep getting worked on while the rest of us went to the
boardwalk (Malecon) for some sightseeing and to buy some souvenirs. It was Billys 72nd birthday, so Leidys and I went gift shopping for him and Karen
(whose birthday was on the 25th).
Breakfast along the Malecon looked like this.
Selfie inside of Rice and Beans
Breakfast crew at Rice and Beans
Sightseeing in San Felipe
Inside of Rockodile
While grocery shopping we spotted Rich T's wife Cathy!
Dinner tasted fantastic over a hot flame! Our Sockeye Salmon was kept perfectly frozen in the back of my Dometic 65 quart dual zone Fridge/Freezer.
Victor made steaks for himself and Ellie
The jukebox had TONS of Latin Music! I chose the classic Aniceto Molina - you can never go wrong with the classics!
Later that evening, we celebrated back at the hotel with some BBQ, Karaoke and Birthday cake!
The morning of our Matomi Wash/Matomi Canyon trek had us meet at the Pemex furthest out of town. There, I disconnected my front sway bar and everyone
else aired down their tires.
Billy received the very last 2017 Pole Line Road t-shirt and a San Felipe coffee mug for his birthday. He looked happy to be in Baja with all of us.
On the right is Rich T.
Karen (left) talking to Cathy (inside of the Jeep) about the day's runs.
David (6 Wheelin) had a special tool to perfectly proportion the amount of air between left and right sides of his 4 Runner.
Everyone had something to talk about on this early morning.
The trail to Matomi Wash is a long, bumpy, dusty ride. I am sure this is what blew out my Pro Comp MX-6 shock absorber. Hours of bump, bump, bump!
But it was sure worth it!
Nice to see you guys get through. That was where I turned around in 2017. I was hoping to see sand re-covering the boulders but not yet. They still
look as tall! In 2006, it was all covered with sand and an easy passage. In 1979, it was big rocks. The sand in the narrows rises and falls through
the years.
What is the reason you think was why Victor got hung up (other than poor spotting) but the 4Runner (longer rig) didn't?
I see open differentials, so no lockers... but he was a tad too "passenger" and high centered.
Off line. He straddled the big rock instead of putting his tire on it.
Wheelbase comparison
Above TJ 93.4", Rich's LJ 103.4 +37s, Paul's LJ 104.5" +35s, 4Runner 103.4 or 109.8", Cherokee 101.4, JK 4 door 116". Ken's TJ 93.4".
I just heard from Ken, yes, Victor took a more difficult line and the others took the better one but I think (armchair quarterbacking, lol) he wasn't
spotted correctly and if he went more Driver instead of turning Passenger it would have been a success. Glad to see the Toyota help as a solid anchor
for the winch!
All and all, this kind of stuff is exactly what makes four wheeling so special and a good job to Ken for the choices.
Are there more photos or videos of the Pioneer Mine Trail? Did you guys take photos of the 120+ year old gold mine?
I did not see anything on the winch cable to keep it from whip-lashing if it broke. Not smart from a safety standpoint. A coat, towel etc. most
anything will do.
I did not see anything on the winch cable to keep it from whip-lashing if it broke. Not smart from a safety standpoint. A coat, towel etc. most
anything will do.
No, but they did all did stand way back like if someone was lighting a stick of dynamite!
It didn't look like the hook was fully in on the other vehicle if that had broken it could come back and hit the windshield of the Jeep and may have
hurt the driver. Always put something on a winch cable to dampen it.
"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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