BajaNomad - Baja Pole Line Road - Dec. 27-30, 2005

Baja Pole Line Road - Dec. 27-30, 2005

Ken Cooke - 9-13-2005 at 08:33 PM

Dear Baja enthusiasts,

It is that time of the year to begin planning for our upcoming Just Runs - Pole Line Road Run - December 27-30, 2005. This will be the third such run that I have led and I am looking forward to the excitement and anticipation that the Pole Line Road events have created over the past year.

Question: What exactly is the Pole Line Road?

The Pole Line Road is a telephone pole access route south of the Laguna Salada in the north San Felipe desert. This road covers roughly 150 miles of typical desert terrain - motocross paths, ranching routes, the occasional rock gardens and even cobblestone roads! Unfortunately, this road has received literally no mainenance since its construction in 1942. As a result, ditches the size of Volkswagons can swallow a Jeep. Washouts and rock-shrewn canyons prevent easy travel, requiring good tire-placement skills. Steep sections of trails along high cliffs provide some real challenges for the novice and seasoned drivers alike. Rocks can and sometimes do damage vital engine componentry (Skidplating a must!).

We plan to travel this route over a shot of 4 days. Luckily, we will travel as the old pioneers did - going from water-fed canyon to water-fed canyon. As a result, we will camp each night near cool oases. However, be prepared for 4 full days of dusty, dry desert camping. We will combine some moderate hiking along with some day-long trail driving to provide the ultimate desert-lovers experience. Frequent stops for photographing indemic flora should be expected.

Day 1 - Meeting Place - Pep Boys Supercenter - 400 South Imperial Blvd. Calexico, CA.
12/27 Meeting Time - 9:30 a.m.
Drivers Meeting - 10 a.m. with departure following at roughly 10:15 a.m.

Be sure to have 2 empty gasoline Jerry cans, positive identification, and any applicable immigration papers for re-entry to USA after run is complete. Your CB Radio must be in good, working order, recovery points fore and aft, MEXICAN AUTO INSURANCE policy, and plenty of drinking water.

After topping off our gas tanks, and filling our Jerry Cans, our plan on Day 1 will be to travel the relatively short 30 mi. distance from the trailhead at Hwy 2 to Guadalupe Canyon. There, we will camp at one of the established campgrounds for a fee (TBA), and participants can take an optional 2 hour hike to the Pool of the Virgin. Night #1 will be spent in the palm tree-lined Canyon de Guadalupe.

Pool of the Virgin:
www.guadalupe-canyon.com/ images/virgpool.jpg

Day 2 - Drivers Meeting - 9 a.m. with departure following at roughly 9:30 a.m.
12/28

Day 2 will combine some scenic trail driving along the base of some of Baja's finest cactus-lands. Red soils and rocky buttes recall the Four Corners region while 6 foot tall Cholla cactii will intregue as well as intimidate. Our plan will be to travel most of the day from Guadalupe Canyon along the historic Pole Line Road up to the challenging Basketball Hill where we will ascend carefully with the picturesque Canyon Jaquegel approximately 30 minutes beyond. Night # 2 will be spent in the palm tree-lined Canyon Jaquegel.

Basketball Hill/Canyon Jaquegel:
http://www.baja101.com/104/img/trip.jpeg
http://www.baja101.com/104/img/pole.jpeg
http://www.justruns.com/gallery/albums/album147/Jeep_063.siz...

Day 3 (12/29) will consist of hiking up the canyon and visit Indian Hunting Blinds, look for petroglyphs, and examine indemic flora & fauna without a feeling of being rushed. Night #3 will be spent in the palm tree-lined Canyon Jaquegel.

Day 4 - Drivers Meeting - 8 a.m. with departure following at roughly 8:30 a.m.
12/30

Day 4 (12/30) we plan to get an early start because we've got some quality ROCKCRAWLIN' to look forward to. Day 4 will be our most challenging day with the steep dropoffs (named 'The Skateboard Ramp') along with the massive rockfield of the lower Canyon Jaquegel that must be crossed.

Please note: If Lower Jaquegel is not passable, we will have to double back the entire route - if you do not have enough gasoline, then there might be a problem for your trail boss.

Once everyone gets to Hwy 5 and airs up their tires, we plan to depart for Mexicali as a group. We will stop for gasoline at one of the Pemex stations along the route, cross the border, and hopefully be in the USA by sunset.

Prices:
Plan on this trip costing you in the neighborhood of $400 U.S. [if your drive originates in Southern Ca.]
We plan to top off our gas tanks and fill our jerry cans in Mexico just 10 mi. from the trailhead. Some vehicles will complete the trail on vapors while some vehicles will need to use their 1st and possibly 2nd Jerry can just to get to the terminus at Hwy 5/Laguna Salada. 35 mi. north of the end of our trail will be a Pemex station. So, figure 1 1/2 tanks of gasoline for the run, and 1 tank of gas to get you across the border and possibly back home depending on where you live.

Auto insurance is another expense you must figure in.
Sanborn's Mexico Insurance offers great rates on their GE Seguros (GE stands for General Electric) Insurance. Contact info for this co. is:
Sanborn's Insurance
943 Imperial Ave. Suite B.
Calexico, CA 92231
Ph.: (760) 357-6424
Fax: (760) 357-6375
calexico@sanbornsinsurance.com
www.sanbornsinsurance.com/calexico
Corporate HQ: 1-800-222-0158

Trailering your Jeep on the Pole Line Trail? Here's a place in the U.S. to store your tow rig and trailer:

Vehicle/Jeep Trailer Storage:
Calexico Parking & Storage
465 West 2nd Street, Calexico, CA 92231
(760) 357-2477
$3/day trailers $1.50/day pickups
Open Mon-Friday Closed Sat/Sunday
Hrs. 6 A.M. to 6 P.M.

Please note: The Pole Line Road is not a trail for beginners or the faint of heart. This trail contains rocks that require a tire no smaller than 31" in diameter to negotiate. In addition, a good driver who can place his or her tires correctly without damage to the vehicle. Drivers will be required to fill out and sign a liability waiver during the drivers meeting in the U.S. Drivers and participants will be asked to not remove historical/cultural artifacts that may be lying around along the Pole Line route - SEMARNAP observed us driving towards G.C. in April, let's not give them any reason to lock up this trail. Drivers will be asked to save alcoholic beverages for camp and not the trail. Dogs must travel with vaccination papers from their veterinarian. There is a travel advisory for Northern Mexico: [http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_2100.html]. Our plan is to drive through as a group and quickly regroup once in the USA. Hopefully, we will be able to arrive home before too late at night - otherwise, there are excellent accomodations in Brawley, CA.

Ken Cooke - 9-13-2005 at 08:39 PM

The rocks were enough to damage the tire carrier of this Long-wheelbase Jeep:

Jeeps and Toyotas were able to complete the run with a minimal amount of breakage:

David K - 9-13-2005 at 08:56 PM

Great announcement Ken!

A couple of questions, if you please...

Is this just for your group or can any Nomad with the proper equipment join up?

Is there a fee paid to you or your club to join this trip?

Would you welcome any Nomads that showed up or were already in the area to join your group, provided they were no burden or caused a delay?

Thank you!

Ken Cooke - 9-13-2005 at 09:38 PM

Is this just for your group or can any Nomad with the proper equipment join up?

This run is open to any Nomad w/a capable 4WD vehicle and experience driving 'moderate' Level 3 trails. If someone doesn't know what this is, then, they shouldn't come.

Is there a fee paid to you or your club to join this trip?

There is a fee for 1st night of camping only - To Be Announced. My wife Suzanne is requiring that all participants complete a liability waiver due to our homeowner status. We don't want to lose the nestegg if someone gets hurt on this trail.

Would you welcome any Nomads that showed up or were already in the area to join your group, provided they were no burden or caused a delay?

Once again, if the Nomad has a capable 4WD vehicle (preferably w/rear traction aid), 31" tall tires (LT 245R16), CB Radio or FRS Radio, tow hooks front/rear, two Jerry Cans, and experience negotiating 'moderate' Level 3 trails, then, come along! There was one section that Suzanne got real uncomfortable due to a very steep climb followed by an off-camber, rutted section of dirt trail overlooking a 75' dropoff.

Rocky trail leading to Basketball Hill:

Sweeping vistas atop 'Summit' trail:

[Edited on 9-14-2005 by Ken Cooke]

[Edited on 9-14-2005 by Ken Cooke]

Ken Cooke - 9-13-2005 at 09:46 PM

Your Trail Boss(es):

Suzanne (hair about 4" shorter) and Ken (wearing glasses w/graying hair) :no:

[Edited on 9-14-2005 by Ken Cooke]

David K - 9-13-2005 at 10:02 PM

Great photos... specially the summit view!

I recognize the one of you two! It was taken by the same person who photographed the babisuri (ring tailed cat)... Alejandra, at Viva Baja-1.

The new Tacoma has a 21 gallon tank and gets 16-20 MPG (over a 300 mi. range), a locking rear diff, 265/70-16 BFGs... No worries...

I would happily sign a liability waiver... but I would sure like to leave any low life out there that would even think of sueing a fellow Nomad for his own problems... :no:

I hope it is a great trip again for you... I still want to see the area... You need to do a Mision Santa Maria trip with me, as well!

Here is chicagoross' Jeep, following my Tacoma down the 'widowmaker'! Going down was easy... two days later we went up!

[Edited on 9-14-2005 by David K]

Neal Johns - 9-13-2005 at 10:31 PM

Don't take that David K fellow, Ken. He has never been to Baja before! :lol:

Take his Toyota if you can. Nice. :biggrin:

Do they have adequate restrooms along the trail, Ken? (Asked of Dennis Casebier re the Mojave Road by someone in the East). :rolleyes:

Neal Johns - 9-13-2005 at 10:50 PM

Basketball Hill being re-worked by Desert Explorers a few years ago so Jeeps could get up it. :lol:

Neal Johns - 9-13-2005 at 10:54 PM

When Marian was begging me to marry her, 15 years ago, I tested her on the Pole Line Road. She passed, as you can see below. This was her Jeep at the time, she has upgraded to a Toyota. :lol:

Ken Cooke - 9-14-2005 at 08:54 AM

Scratch the liability waiver. Legal advice from Just Runs of San Diego, CA says its' not necessary. Let's just 'wheel safely and have fun!

I would love to travel the Widowmaker. It looks like real, rocky fun. Just keep me posted, and I'll probably have a few Jeeps who will want to tag along. You know how it is with Jeeps...You invite one, and 4 or 5 usually show up!

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Great photos... specially the summit view!

I recognize the one of you two! It was taken by the same person who photographed the babisuri (ring tailed cat)... Alejandra, at Viva Baja-1.

The new Tacoma has a 21 gallon tank and gets 16-20 MPG (over a 300 mi. range), a locking rear diff, 265/70-16 BFGs... No worries...

I would happily sign a liability waiver... but I would sure like to leave any low life out there that would even think of sueing a fellow Nomad for his own problems... :no:

[Edited on 10-25-2005 by Ken Cooke]

Ken Cooke - 10-23-2005 at 10:25 PM

http://thedesertoutlaw.20megsfree.com/photo6.html

New webpage for the Pole Line Run. Remember: Its just 8 weeks away! :wow:

[Edited on 10-25-2005 by Ken Cooke]

Ken Cooke - 12-1-2005 at 06:47 PM

This run leaves the end of the month. Send U2U if you plan to attend. I need a rough count. Thanks!

-Ken

bajalou - 12-1-2005 at 09:22 PM

Ken
After the run on the 31st, you can come to San Felipe and enjoy the smoked turkey with us

Bajalou & Teina

:saint:

TMW - 12-2-2005 at 07:46 AM

We won't be able to make the Pole Line Rd run but will make it to the turkey celebration. On the way down I'll try again to find the road from the wells to the Y intersection from the Pole Line Rd. Maybe see you jeep guys on your last day coming out. What CB channel will you use?

Ken Cooke - 12-2-2005 at 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TW
We won't be able to make the Pole Line Rd run but will make it to the turkey celebration. On the way down I'll try again to find the road from the wells to the Y intersection from the Pole Line Rd. Maybe see you jeep guys on your last day coming out. What CB channel will you use?

I am not sure we can make the turkey celebration. I will pose this to the group who has RSVP'ed and I will see what they think. We will only be ~40 mi. north of San Felipe, and a home-cooked meal will be hard to beat!

On the morning of the 30th, we will pull out of Canyon Jaquegel at around 8 a.m. I am not sure how far or how much progress we will make during those daylight hours since the trails have been damaged so much lately due to late summer storms. But, give us a jingle on your CB radios right around noon and hopefully we will respond to TW...

Ken-----what CB channel do you guys use in Baja???? (nfm)

Barry A. - 12-4-2005 at 12:46 PM

Ken Cooke - 12-4-2005 at 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.

Barry,

We start with 4 as we drive across the border. Depending on the number of truckers bleeding across the channels, we adjust our CBs accordingly. Because they often use linear amps, you have to turn the squelch up to the point that your party cannot communicate effectively. That's when a channel change is in order.

Thanks, Ken----------

Barry A. - 12-4-2005 at 01:58 PM

Presumably, when you get down into the real boonies, like south of the Laguna Salada, the interference would become less and less----right?-----meaning maybe that you would go back to channel 4 and stay there????

As an aside, I am finding that the new 5 watt FRS/GMRS handi-talkies (I use "Midland" Radios) are not only static free, but do very well between cars in a caravan, and have pretty good range-------have you tried these types of radios yet??

Also, I use a single-side-band CB (SSB-CB), which not only increases your transmission power when using the side-band function, but others are seldom using that function. The downside is that most folks don't have single-side-band capability, and it is harder to "tune in" for listening even if you do have the capability. If you don't have SSB capability, you cannot hear folks that are using SSB, I don't believe.

Just some thoughts.

Ken Cooke - 12-4-2005 at 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
Presumably, when you get down into the real boonies, like south of the Laguna Salada, the interference would become less and less----right?-----meaning maybe that you would go back to channel 4 and stay there????

In Santa Ynez last weekend, we heard truckers from all over the Baja peninsula, on Hwy 1, and maybe even Arizona. They were talking all sorts of trash that got unbearable to listen to. So, I turned the squealch so far up that I didn't care about same-party communications. It just became a headache. I am interested in buying a Single Side Band CB radio, and perhaps over time others who travel with me will have the same type of radio. I hope to buy a good FRS radio for camping in the future.

Ken-----FRS/GMRS radios by Midland------

Barry A. - 12-4-2005 at 05:56 PM

--------go into your "search engine" and type in "sportsmansguide" (all one word). This will bring up the website for "The Sportsmans Guide", and within that site find the window at the top left that says "type in key word".

In that window, type in "midland radios", and viola, up comes the best deals I have been able to find on all kinds of Midland radios from 2 watt to 5 watt. I think the 2 watt are about $29 for 2, and the 5 watt go for about $70 for 2. I have both the 4 watt (10 mile), and the 5 watt (14 mile), and both work super. I believe that the 4 watt is totally adaquate, and considerably cheaper than the 5 watt. The shipping and handling raises the price about $7, but they still beat COSTCO on the prices for what you get, I believe.

I have used Midland radios for years (both on, and off, the job), and they work just fine.

Good luck, and many thanks for your responses. (your comments on the $30 citation in TJ were hilarious) :lol:

bajalou - 12-4-2005 at 06:20 PM

You are required to have a FCC license to operate them legaly don't you. And I don't know for sure but heard that Mexico doesn't license/allow use of them. Anybody know for sure??

:?:

Lou-----

Barry A. - 12-4-2005 at 06:24 PM

-------I am ashamed to say that I never even thought about that-----------I have been using them down there for years and never gave it any thought. It is a VERY good point!!! and I have no idea what the legality of the FRS/GMRS radios in Mexico are.

Neal Johns - 12-4-2005 at 11:28 PM

Quote: "You are required to have a FCC license to operate them legaly don't you. And I don't know for sure but heard that Mexico doesn't license/allow use of them. Anybody know for sure??"

GMRS radios (the ones with more than 0.5 watts) are required to have an FCC license in the US (but no one bothers to get it - just like CB in the early days).

GMRS/FRS is a USA FCC frequency allocation so is not legal in Mexico. No one seems to care - I usually have three or four visable in the front seat area.

Roberto - 12-5-2005 at 05:32 AM

Quote:

In Santa Ynez last weekend, we heard truckers from all over the Baja peninsula, on Hwy 1, and maybe even Arizona.

This was probably because of some unusual propagation conditions. CB communications usually leverage ground waves, but at that frequency (11 meters), sky wave propagation is certainly possible, and when that occurs range is, theoretically, unlimited. After all, HAM communications on 10 meters can extend around the world.

Ken Cooke - 12-5-2005 at 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
Good luck, and many thanks for your responses. (your comments on the $30 citation in TJ were hilarious) :lol:

Saturday morning, I am going shopping for more CB gear. I will keep the Sportsman website on my bookmark. Take care...

-Ken

Blue12 - 12-6-2005 at 09:30 AM

Ken -

This sounds like a great trip! I'd love to come but we're probably not experienced enough for it, though I'd like to think we are! Do you have any suggestions on where we can go if we aren't overly experienced in driving the rough terrain (but definately have no fear!)? We're planning on flying into San Diego Dec. 30th at night so I assume we wouldn't head south until the 31st. We'll need to be back in San Diego by Jan. 6th or 7th. We're all for camping if it's safe!

Thanks for any suggestions!
Jamie

Ken Cooke - 12-6-2005 at 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blue12
Ken -

This sounds like a great trip! I'd love to come but we're probably not experienced enough for it, though I'd like to think we are! Do you have any suggestions on where we can go if we aren't overly experienced in driving the rough terrain (but definately have no fear!)? We're planning on flying into San Diego Dec. 30th at night so I assume we wouldn't head south until the 31st. We'll need to be back in San Diego by Jan. 6th or 7th. We're all for camping if it's safe!

Thanks for any suggestions!
Jamie

Driving from Mike's Sky Rancho to the Observatory Road is a great experience. Not very difficult, but you are out in the backcountry the whole time, and it is very scenic back there. Maybe travel the Laguna Salada down to Cohabuzo Jnct. and travel East to Hwy 5. I drove that portion for a short distance, and it looked like it could be fun as well...

David K - 12-6-2005 at 10:46 PM

Photos and road log of the road in and out of Mike's (Observatory Road to Hwy. 3) at: http://community-2.webtv.net/boojum2/905

Ken Cooke - 12-7-2005 at 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Photos and road log of the road in and out of Mike's (Observatory Road to Hwy. 3) at: http://community-2.webtv.net/boojum2/905

David prepared an extremely detailed log for travel between these points. His photographs feature everything as I remember it. Also, Rancho Coyote ('Meling Ranch') has motel rooms and they prepare breakfast and dinner and sell some cool t-shirts. If making this trip, this would be a great place to stay on your journey.

bajalou - 12-7-2005 at 06:34 PM

Ken, I believe that Meling Ranch and Rancho Coyote are seperate facilities just a few miles apart. Both owned by the Meling family from what they told me when I was there in March.

David K - 12-7-2005 at 06:39 PM

Lou is correct... The Meling Ranch (Rancho San Jose) is the original guest ranch in these mountains, right off the Observatory road, just east of the road north to Rancho Coyote and Mike's Sky Rancho. Rancho Coyote is run my a Meling family member...

Ken Cooke - 12-7-2005 at 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalou
Ken, I believe that Meling Ranch and Rancho Coyote are seperate facilities just a few miles apart.

Unfortunately, the Meling family sold Meling Ranch, but they kept the name on their shirts, stickers and items they sell. Their T-Shirts read, "Rancho El Coyote Meling" on front and back. I know this because Suzanne and I bought their shirts and depleted their sticker supply! :lol:

David K - 12-8-2005 at 12:28 AM

The shirts may have 'Meling' after El Coyote (because a Meling owns it), but El Coyote is NOT the Meling Ranch as this line seems to make that sound:

"Also, Rancho Coyote ('Meling Ranch') has motel rooms and they prepare breakfast and dinner and sell some cool t-shirts."

Just want you to have your Baja history accurate :light:

This is the Meling Ranch history book, and I have it...

Ken Cooke - 12-8-2005 at 06:57 PM

David,

I knew this. A few years ago, after the Meling Guest Ranch closed to the public, I stopped by to visit the facilities and look around the mess hall. The woman who runs Rancho Coyote explained that she added the 'Meling' name to keep the spirit of Aida Meling alive...

Cool book btw. Can me and the Chihuahua's borrow it???? :?:

Where the Old West Never Died

John M - 12-9-2005 at 06:00 AM

Ken, here is one listed for sale, kinda pricey...

I searched for several months to locate the one I found.

Have fun on you Pole Line Trip

John M.

http://www.booklegacy.com/bl000537.htm

David K - 12-9-2005 at 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by John M
Ken, here is one listed for sale, kinda pricey...

I searched for several months to locate the one I found.

Have fun on you Pole Line Trip

John M.

http://www.booklegacy.com/bl000537.htm

Yah, I guess! Here is what that link goes to:

Sanford, Paul. Where the Old West Never Died San Antonio TX, The Naylor Company, 1968, First Edition, Hardcover, Very Good in Very Good dust jacket Redish brown cover with black print. Map on endpapers. A history of the Meling Ranch and the families. Dust in brodart mylar protective cover! Rare. Photographs; 8vo; 119 pages (Genealogy, History, Americana, Meling, Family History, Texas, Dude Ranch)
#44849
79.97

roverdude - 12-11-2005 at 12:18 PM

The Meling Family does own and run both ranches.

Ken Cooke - 12-11-2005 at 07:05 PM

I thought the Meling family sold their ranch a few years ago? This is making me confused...

roverdude - 12-11-2005 at 10:14 PM

Look familiar?

Ken Cooke - 12-13-2005 at 10:43 PM

The road looks familiar. I haven't seen that many Land Rovers on it before, but I'm sure they had a great time driving the La Tasajera Road down to the meadow up in Sierra San Pedro Martir to go look at the trout...

David K - 12-13-2005 at 11:32 PM

That road junction with the Land Rovers is the turnoff to Rancho Coyote and Mike's Sky Rancho... from the Observatory road, a couple miles west of the Meling Ranch...

Ken Cooke - 12-31-2005 at 04:30 AM

Everyone made it back home from the Pole Line Run. We begun the day 22 hrs. ago in Canyon Jaquegel, hiking for the hunting blind, and later departed for Hwy 5. Many, many washouts later, we have numerous photos, cuts, bruises, gashed sidewalls to talk about. I'm going to bed now, I'll post the photos once I get plenty of sleep...