BajaNomad

75 Anniv. Baja Pole Line Run - Feb. 18, 19, 20th 2017 - planning thread

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Ken Cooke - 1-22-2017 at 12:12 PM

I am going to lead this run for the stock vehicle to get him through safely. Please consider an OIL PAN SKIDPLATE.

Install it prior to the run. If you cannot, just bring it, and install it on the run. Make sure that you bring the tools to do the job. I am buying mine today from Metalcloak.

chippy - 1-22-2017 at 12:14 PM

Yikes!:(

Ken Cooke - 1-22-2017 at 12:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
Yikes!:(


No need to worry. This won't be an extreme run. Just make the necessary preparations to avoid losing your motor oil on the trail.

chippy - 1-22-2017 at 12:26 PM

I´m good with under armor. Looks like I´ll be testing it big time!

4x4 ABC

Ken Cooke - 1-22-2017 at 12:33 PM

4x4 ABC wasn't phased by these photos. They might damage a vehicle's rocker panels, or cut a tire. Tire repair kits might make a worthwhile investment.

David K - 1-22-2017 at 12:34 PM

TW's Bronco hill = The hill TW pulled the Bronco up (with his TACOMA), at our camp location (see "CAMP" on map).

Ken, I think the washed out road in the photos, is the grade up (west) from our camp to the mesa with all the phone poles (where the Bronco broke down). 'Bad Hill' (Neal Johns' named) is the other side of that mesa heading down its west side.

Blue Arrow pointed at the washed out photo grade, I think. Ed to verify.





[Edited on 1-22-2017 by David K]

ehall - 1-22-2017 at 12:43 PM

You are correct David.

David K - 1-22-2017 at 01:01 PM

Bummer as at the top of that grade is where you can see all the full size phone poles for the first time if coming from Hwy. 5/ La Ventana.



TMW - 1-22-2017 at 01:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Ken Cooke  
During the past weekend, I took the Jeep to Joshua Tree and did further vehicle testing. The suspension works great. The onboard air system worked flawlessly.

On Wednesday, Leidys and I celebrated a major milestone.:!:



I am ordering Pole Line Run apparel this week. With Christmas and Anniversary within 2 days, the t-shirts had to be postponed.


Congratulations

Ken Cooke - 1-22-2017 at 04:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  


Congratulations


Gracias amigo!

ehall - 1-23-2017 at 03:33 PM

We headed home from San felipe saturday morning to avoid the scheduled protest on sunday. I decided to show my friend from Washington the Pole Line road. I explained the history of the road on the way there. We had our bikes in the back of the truck and since I was concerned about leaving our stuff unattended I drove in to the first well and asked Alberto if he would keep an eye on it. The road all the way in to the second well was graded and fast. From there we jumped in the wash( arroyo grande?)and rode in the whoops of a recent race. We blasted down the wash missing the plr turnoff by at least 10 miles. I was going purely from memory. We got to a very narrow part of the wash and water was starting to flow so we turned around and headed back to find the road.

ehall - 1-23-2017 at 03:38 PM

Once on the plr it was clear it hadn't seen any traffic in a long time. Just after the first pole on the hill is the first washout. It has the bypass we used on the last plr trip. From there it was clear sailing all the way to the wash (jaquel) . Here the road we had repaired on the last trip was gone.

ehall - 1-23-2017 at 03:45 PM

This is what's left of the road we built.

ehall - 1-23-2017 at 03:49 PM

Getting the bikes down into the wash wasn't much of a problem. Continuing on the climb out of the wash had a 2' cliff to climb. We rode another 1/2 mile and came to a mess.

ehall - 1-23-2017 at 03:52 PM

This is now the road up the hill. A road we came down easily on the last trip.

ehall - 1-23-2017 at 03:56 PM

This is were I stopped. I was way too far from the nearest hospital to try it. The guy I was riding with is a way better rider than me and slowly worked his way over the top. He came back and told me it was rough all the way to the top. We headed back to the truck without seeing another person or vehicle. We crossed at Mexicali without incident and rolled into my drive around midnight.

David K - 1-23-2017 at 04:21 PM

Thanks Ed,

Yes, if you head south of the wells in Arroyo Grande sticking to the SCORE arrows, you miss the Pole Line Road start... remember next time to take the fork to the right, keeping to the right side of the arroyo. It is 5.2 miles from the well (Alberto) to the Pole Line Road junction.

I hope your friend looked off to the right when he got to the top of that grade... as that is where the line of poles are... but about a half mile to right of the road... you have to look for them.

Your photos just above is the long grade that we went down pulling the Bronco as it was getting dark. The blue arrow:

The grade Neal Johns named "Bad Hill" is the other end of that "Pole Mesa".

Obviously, this east side grade is a BADDER HILL!

PaulW - 1-23-2017 at 05:35 PM

That hill with the right turn ahead of wher the pic was taken was pretty bad for my first drive in 2014. We spent a half hour stacking rocks so my big Bronco could avoid the holes. As You know that rig was running on 35s.
So it look like more effort. At least we will be going down hill whereas Ehall was trying to go up hill like I was in 2014.

Ken Cooke - 1-23-2017 at 07:57 PM

I really appreciate everyone's efforts to keep this route passable. I plan on bringing a tire plug kit and an extra yank strap just in case.

Ken Cooke - 1-26-2017 at 08:50 PM

Mrs. Cooke wants to go on this run in 3 weeks. We're crossing our fingers that her travel documents arrive by the 17th so this can be possible. With a lead time of 23 days, I'm hoping that her passport and/or passcard arrives in time.

Thanks to some great Firefighters, I won't have to buy another Jeep for PLR

Ken Cooke - 1-28-2017 at 11:33 AM

1:20 a.m. today



[Edited on 1-28-2017 by Ken Cooke]

TMW - 1-28-2017 at 11:54 AM

The rest of the story, please.

Ken Cooke - 1-28-2017 at 04:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
The rest of the story, please.


My next-door neighbor was most likely burning wood in his fire place last night when some unburnt embers must have began to overheat or burn. I can only speculate, because my neighbor was not in the mood to talk to me about this today when I saw hik. Anyway, the firefighters poured water down his chimney for about 20 minutes until the fire was out. I eventually spoke with a petite, blonde firefighter, and asked her if they put the fire out, and she said, "Everythings finished.". I waited until 2:30 am when the last firefighter engine left my street before going back to sleep.

I noticed that 'Dave' doesn't have a spark arrestor on his chimney, now. I hope he doesn't have any more cozy fires as anyone's expense.

AKgringo - 1-28-2017 at 05:04 PM

My guess is that creosote build up in the flue caught fire! I burn two or three cord of fire wood every winter and check for build up frequently.

The hazard varies according to the type of wood being burned, moisture content, and how wide open the air flow is.

TMW - 1-28-2017 at 07:14 PM

Thanks Ken, glad everything is OK at least with your home.

Ken Cooke - 1-29-2017 at 09:13 AM

I will advise my neighbor, since he replaced his spark arrestor yesterday and will likely begin burning more wood soon (cough, cough).

bajatrailrider - 1-29-2017 at 09:49 AM

Ken it has been cold in Baja. I have been burning wood in my pot belly stove every night. I have metal roof and no house close by lucky for me.Spark arrestor in Mexico,they use cloths dryer pipe. Lucky both homes did not burn.Cough Cough Take care my Friend.

16295316_1838804256401286_1204525423_n.jpg - 73kB

Ken Cooke - 1-29-2017 at 12:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider  
Ken it has been cold in Baja. I have been burning wood in my pot belly stove every night. I have metal roof and no house close by lucky for me.Spark arrestor in Mexico,they use cloths dryer pipe. Lucky both homes did not burn.Cough Cough Take care my Friend.


Stay warm, Larry! :!:

2017 "Bad Hill"

Ken Cooke - 1-31-2017 at 06:02 PM



This hill looks more rutted than in 2015 - still passable, just more ruts.

PaulW - 2-1-2017 at 07:36 AM

Looks worse
Rock stacking will be needed for easier passage.
Small tire rigs still probably will need help. Tell everyone to bring a strap with no hooks.
How many rigs will have winches?

[Edited on 2-1-2017 by PaulW]

Ken Cooke - 2-1-2017 at 11:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Looks worse
Rock stacking will be needed for easier passage.
Small tire rigs still probably will need help. Tell everyone to bring a strap with no hooks.
How many rigs will have winches?

[Edited on 2-1-2017 by PaulW]


I can't say how many rigs will have a winch. I carry a heavy duty TERAFLEX yank strap in my Jeep. I bought two additional yank straps (with no hooks) for anyone who will need one on the run. For the vehicles with winches, they will run between the rigs without winches. I will get the word out on tow straps, because these rocks can cut sidewalls and put a hole in an oil pan.

Akula - 2-1-2017 at 09:51 PM

I have a winch, towstraps, and a Hi-Lift jack.

PaulW - 2-2-2017 at 09:04 AM

Final track on Google Earth
Five screen shots for the final PLR track. Many track pieces all merged together from my actual driven .USR files (Lowrance). As you might suspect there is no way it can be converted to any other format like GPX as the amount of data is only suitable for a Lowrance GPS.
There are many side tracks that I left on the images to allow others to see their relationship to the final track. You can see the leg to La Ventana, the leg to the race summit, the option when entering Siaz wash, the real route of the pole line up toward its summit (label is Saiz?), the lock gate track, the leg to Borrego, the turn to Guadalupe. And so on.
This first pic is way too much to be of any use so I will break down into the four enlarged shots











Ken Cooke - 2-2-2017 at 02:11 PM

Those maps look great. I will ask you how I can produce these with an iPad.

PaulW - 2-2-2017 at 03:52 PM

Ken, check email

Pole Line apparel

Ken Cooke - 2-2-2017 at 06:51 PM

Pole Line apparel

Ken Cooke - 2-2-2017 at 08:55 PM

Akula - 2-9-2017 at 09:37 PM

What better way to compliment some killer Pole Line T-shirts? Some hand tied paracord bracelets, key chains, and soft top zipper pulls. Made with US 550 paracord. I'll be bringing a bunch of these down with me next week for the trip.



Ken Cooke - 2-10-2017 at 12:21 PM

These items are going to a great cause. Maybe you can sell them when we are at Asadero Morlan in Progreso (West Mexicali) on Day 1 when we stop for tacos and trail food.
Quote: Originally posted by Akula  
What better way to compliment some killer Pole Line T-shirts? Some hand tied paracord bracelets, key chains, and soft top zipper pulls. Made with US 550 paracord. I'll be bringing a bunch of these down with me next week for the trip.



Women's t-shirts are in.. My wife loves hers!

Ken Cooke - 2-10-2017 at 12:24 PM

Ken Cooke - 2-16-2017 at 10:32 PM

I will see everyone at the Pep Boys parking lot 10 am Saturday - drive safely.
Cell phone# 951 255 1589

David K - 2-16-2017 at 11:14 PM

So, you guys going for it? Heading to the Pole Line Road and see how far you can duplicate the 2015 run?
It will be interesting to see what two years of weather has done!

Here again is the Baja Bound magazine article on it: https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajatravel/pole_lin...

TMW - 2-17-2017 at 04:04 PM

Have a great trip Ken. Take lots of pictures. Have fun and be safe.

del mar - 2-17-2017 at 04:46 PM

you're a hearty group...so cold and windy with rain coming at least in the rosarito area im not even stepping outside!

Ken Cooke - 2-17-2017 at 06:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  

It will be interesting to see what two years of weather has done!


That is what I keep thinking. The Laguna Salada is currently impassable, and Enmedio might have new rocks lining below Basketball Hill. Everything near Joshua tree is closed due to the rains, the only thing coming up is Truckhaven/Tierra Del Sol in 2 weeks. I can't wait to see how insane the trail is tomorrow!

David K - 2-17-2017 at 07:54 PM

You guys could always go to Shell Island and have a blast in the sand!

Ken Cooke - 2-23-2017 at 01:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
You guys could always go to Shell Island and have a blast in the sand!


That would have made a great backup plan, David K.

Ken Cooke - 2-23-2017 at 01:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
You guys could always go to Shell Island and have a blast in the sand!


That would have made a great backup plan, David K. Hopefully, Saturnino can help everyone with his community outreach that he has planned to help keep this route open. Even a donation to pass through the gate should be considered. We will see..

David K - 2-23-2017 at 01:11 PM

I am so glad you got through!

So, to help me visualize, the east side of bad hill (the pole mesa). that we first pulled the Bronco down in 2015... You used some of the existing grade and made a parallel roate along some of it?

Ken Cooke - 2-23-2017 at 01:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
I am so glad you got through!

So, to help me visualize, the east side of bad hill (the pole mesa). that we first pulled the Bronco down in 2015... You used some of the existing grade and made a parallel roate along some of it?


Before the first steep curve, we drove around the washout. Rejoining the trail at the first curve.

Just to my left, where the guys were moving rocks..



David K - 2-23-2017 at 01:41 PM

So is that at the top of the grade off the mesa?

Ken Cooke - 2-23-2017 at 02:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
So is that at the top of the grade off the mesa?


Yes - just as you begin to go downhill.

PaulW - 2-23-2017 at 04:19 PM

The pics the moto guys took represent what we found on the hill. Lots of big holed that had to be filled.
Of course Darrel and I corrected all those holes. Darrel is the BC Ontario guy. And he get the most credit by climbing up the bank and rolling down 2-3' rocks into the holes. Then we both packed smaller rocks to steady the track. This allowed the not lifted Tacoma to drive down the hill. Yup he now has some shiny spot underside.
Pics have already bennposted.

ehall - 2-23-2017 at 04:26 PM

Thanks for the road work you guys. How much work did it take to get out of the wash were you camped the 2nd night.

PaulW - 2-23-2017 at 05:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ehall  
Thanks for the road work you guys. How much work did it take to get out of the wash were you camped the 2nd night.

===== =
nothing to report. more rocks to drive over. BB hill was without issue. The Crew cab Chevy is still in its original place.
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