Our trip around Northern and Central Baja was a success. Although some of our 10 vehicles sustained damage from the trail (which is to be expected),
be made some great friendships and memories that will outlast our Jeeps.
On Nov 18th, our group met up in San Ysidro for the drive south to El Rosario. Our destination was the amazing Baja Cactus Motel in El Rosario.
After obtaining our required Tourist Permits from the customs office in Tijuana, we navigated Hwy 1 to our first stop in Ensenada where we purchased
camp food, loaded up on camp beverages, Cuban cigars, and also bought some commemerative Baja 1000 event apparel. Once loaded up, we drove south to
Santo Tomas to the Palomar Motel and Restaurant, where our group literally took the restaurant over. Packing in a restaurant during mid-day with
polite, paying customers from the north really left an impression on the duena of this establishment, and she asked for a photograph of our 11
sparkling rigs to be placed beside the likes of Willie Nelson and the "Iron Man" Ivan Stewart. After lunch, we drove to Baja Cactus [ http://www.bajacactus.com/ ] where we again, took the place over with our Jeeps and 21 friendly folks and were treated to well-appointed motel
rooms (Cable T.V., High-speed Internet service, all-new everything, and a secure, monitored parking lot). Dinner was at the world-famous Mama
Espinozas restaurant. Bringing that much business to the Baja Cactus was a real treat for owner Antonio Munoz, and he happily offered to host our
group next year.
We started out Nov 19th with a driver's meeting before departing for the Mission Impossible trail located just east of the rock and cactus-laiden
outpost town of Catavina. There our group aired down, disconnected, and hit the trail. The trail consists of 3-4 hours of sand, off-camber sections,
large slabs of granite rock, some mud, large rock gardens, and dramatic views along shelf two-tracks of the Sea of Cortez and the Punta Final section
of Gonzaga Bay. We headed our rigs directly towards Mission Santa Maria and there, we called it a day.
On Nov. 20th, we drove and hiked to the 5 foot deep spring-water pools east of the Santa Maria. Tom and Bill piloted their well-built Jeeps up a
tricky two-track which ascended high above the hiking trail many in our group hiked a 9 mile hiking trail which leads to the coastal fishing village
of Gonzaga Bay and the famous El Camino Real foot path. Some winching was required during sections of Bill's adventure due to terrain that was too
hairy for his Unlimited "Rambler" Rubicon which features 35" MT/R tires, and a 6" Nth Degree suspension along with GPS mapping systems.
Our group traveled back to Hwy 1 on Nov. 21st, and as always, leaving Mission Santa Maria is twice as challenging as driving in. My '03 Tomb Raider
Rubicon was stopped on several challenging sections, but the 9#K winch was not needed - just a different line and use of the rear air-actuated locking
differential. Back in Catavina, our group aired up, reconnected, and made the drive south to the idyllic fishing village known as Bahia de Los
Angeles. After gassing up our rigs, we headed to Mrs. Lopez's El Sol restaurant, where we completely filled the dining area with our large group, and
turned it into the official post Mission Impossible run headquarters. Sra. Lopez was thrilled to serve such a large group of hungry tourists, and she
asked us to return again next year. After dinner, our group traveled to our campground where we established a base camp for the next couple of days.
On Nov. 22nd, Brad Green led a group trip to Bahia Las Animas where the group searched for clams, and went snorkeling while the rest of our group
walked down to our sandy beach, and simply relaxed in a warm 85 degree climate where the air smelled of creosote and was moist and humid. It was easy
to stay in camp with dramatic views of the many islands located just off of the coast along with the massive Isla Angel de la Guardia in the distance.
A few hours after departure to Bahia Las Animas, Tom mysteriously returned to camp - the cause? A large sidewall gash in the side of his BFG
Mud-Terrain tire. For $45, he obtained a trail spare which was mounted and balanced, which was carefully packed and on standby for the rest of the
trip. So, he spent the day in camp with us and the Hill family while the Red Rock Jeeper group was exploring the coral reefs and sandy beaches south
of us.
Our group had to begin our eventual return to the U.S. by driving up to Gonzaga Bay on Thursday the 23rd (also Thanksgiving Day). After almost
everyone's ice chests were filled with ice - we completely emptied the freezer at the Pemex station, we headed towards the Laguna Chapala where we
prepared for 200 of the most demanding miles our vehicles would endure. Within 1.5 hours of driving, we encountered Coco's Corner where Coco had free
stickers to hand out to everyone. We signed his guest book, and bought sodas from him as well. Coco was assisting an American family who had fallen
on hard times. Their minivan had a punctured transmission pan, and Coco was on a mission to get Mom, Dad, and the kids back to Hwy 1. Although we
offered to tow the family back to San Felipe where we know of a full-service shop, they told us that things were being taken care of. The road had
been eroded 1 month earlier due to rainstorm activity brought on by Tropical Storm John. Street vehicles such as the Dodge Carivan which Coco was
busy repairing just were not up to the task of traveling on such a mangled stretch of rock-lined dirt road. Onward to Gonzaga Bay and our campsites
south of Alfonsina's. The water in Gonzaga Bay was much warmer than in the Bay of L.A., altough the air temps were much cooler. I decided to take a
quick dip - fully clothed while the rest of the group explored, or set up camp. After a colorful sunset, our group sat around a blazing campfire for
hours, laughing it up and reflecting on our good times in Baja.
On Friday the 24th, we headed for our next destination - San Felipe. The road was even rockier than it was in the Gonzaga Bay area, and once we
reached the "Terrible Huerfanito" grades, the erosion slowed our Jeeps down with all of the silt and rocks making our drive a difficult one. Pavement
began in Puertecitos, and we drove up to Laguna Percebu for a lunch break. Dave's O2 sensor was causing some problems for him, and while the rest of
the group ate lunch, Dave's XJ was being diagnosed by the group. After playing in some slick mud, we headed towards our camp destination at the
Playa's Del Sol campground north of town. Dinner was at George's Restaurant in downtown San Felipe where our friends Lou Wells and Tina ate dinner
with us, and we talked about San Felipe's exploding Real Estate market. This would be the grand finale of our trip with Saturday the 25th spent by
most in our group returning home via Tecate while the stragglers were seeking repair work in San Felipe before shopping and more eating. Viva Baja!
The Participants for Baja Grande were; David Cervantes, Ken and Suzanne Cooke, Bill Cue, Brad and Rhoda Green, Jim Grier, John and Denise Vissat, Russ
Chung, Mike Hill, Karen Hill, Sam Hill, Steve Hill, Sherry Hill, Mitch Hill, Ryan Hill, Mandy Hill, and Tom Severin.
Note: Chris, Miriam, and Nayelli Glass had to return to Tijuana after the 1st night (at Baja Cactus) due to Nayelli catching a cold.TMW - 11-26-2006 at 10:32 AM
Great trip report Ken. You guys and gals know how to have a wonderful time.Bajaboy - 11-26-2006 at 11:10 AM
Can't wait for the pictures!
zacDiver - 11-26-2006 at 11:15 AM
Great report Ken !
Where did you camp in BLA ?Ken Cooke - 11-26-2006 at 11:21 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Diver
Great report Ken !
Where did you camp in BLA ?
We stayed at the La Ventana campo in La Gringa - next door to Los Vientos.
We had piping COLD showers, but a beach and view to die for. The owner was happy to host us, and that is all we asked for. Some places don't like
Jeeps due to political/environmental reasons, culture war, etc., but thankfully, we didn't run into that on this particular trip. Everyone was happy
to take our money, we were polite, and we were invited to return. Next year will probably be bigger than this year, so those positive relationships
will indeed be valuable ones.Ken Bondy - 11-26-2006 at 11:41 AM
Ken are Hummer H1's acceptable in your group?
++Ken++DENNIS - 11-26-2006 at 01:20 PM
Great trip Ken ---
I was heading down Hwy 1 between Ensenada and Maneadero right next to you guys, just coming back from the states on a day trip. "Got Baja" stickers
here and there, I figuered you were Nomads.
Glad you had a good one.Ken Cooke - 11-26-2006 at 04:48 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Bondy
Ken are Hummer H1's acceptable in your group?
++Ken++
Ken,
The H1 is an awesome machine, but you will definitely have trouble negotiating the tight turns on the Mission Impossible trail. While I would not
discourage you from joining us next year, just be aware that I am warning you that this particular trail and the weight of your vehicle might cause
difficulties in the recovery dept. for us littler guys.Ken Bondy - 11-26-2006 at 05:28 PM
Ken
I understand. It was just a thought, you guys sound like such a fun group I would love to do a trip with you sometime. But the Hummer is pretty
wide..... Thanks for the response, ++Ken++Ken Cooke - 11-26-2006 at 08:35 PM
Ken,
I remember a group of H2 Hummers completing this run succesfully last year. If your stance is not much wider, you can probably make it through just
as easily as the H2's did.
Ken
Geronimo - 11-26-2006 at 08:59 PM
Was it a white Chrysler mini van at Coco's. If so I saw them heading south about 15 miles out into the sisters. They had the sliding door open and
looked like they knew where they were going. We were eating a sandwich, they didn't stop.Ken Cooke - 11-26-2006 at 09:21 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Geronimo
Was it a white Chrysler mini van at Coco's.
No, it was a black Chrysler Carrivan. I offered to tow them using my tow rope back to San Felipe, but it was a no-go. We packed 10 gal. of gasoline
per vehicle, and were prepared for whatever was to happen.
I had a few beers in the cactus parking lot with some of your crew Saturday night.I was with the white chevy with the poptop camper, cool report,
sounds like a good trip. glad you all had fun, Welcome home.Ken Cooke - 11-27-2006 at 06:46 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by ME
I had a few beers in the cactus parking lot with some of your crew Saturday night.
Were you there when we started asking each other, "Who is down with the I.E.???" Yep, we got that drunk..
Thanks for the response, ++Ken++
