BajaNomad

The Jeeps did it again! Baja 4 Wheelin'

Ken Cooke - 12-19-2006 at 11:03 PM



The 5th Pole Line Run was a blast. Unfortunately, my Tomb Raider suffered some brusing from the punishing rocks on this 3 day-long trail. Our group consisted of 6 vehicles and 11 participants. They were:

Ken Cooke - Jeep Wrangler Rubicon -- Tomb Raider edition
Roger and Suzanne Mullins - Jeep Wrangler YJ w/Adventure Trailer in tow
Bo Neece - Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Bill Cue - Jeep Wrangler Rubicon LJ
Victor Chacon and friend Jason - Jeep Wrangler Rubicon LJ
Chris and Miguel Glass w/friend Oscar - Ford Explorer

On our first day, we traveled to the Cohabuzo Junction, where we bedded down for the night. Dark clouds were present above the Sierra Juarez, but fortunately, there was no rain during the entire trip. Our group set up camp, and by 8:30 the next morning, we were back on the trail headed for the good stuff. On this particular trip, cows and wild horses were spotted in camp, and along the trail in a few locations, making us all wonder where they got their food and water...

After making really good time to Canyon Enmedio, we opted towards tackling Basketball Hill, and driving straight into camp - at Canyon Jaquegel. On our way up, we decided to send Roger and Suzanne up with two built rigs first - in case they had trouble pulling their trailer up the canyon. Suddenly, we did have trouble. Suzanne's compressor did not fire up, causing the front locker to not engage. While working on the equipment, the Jeep almost got away from Roger and he had to quickly jump in the Jeep to stop it from rolling back down the narrow canyon!

Roger drove the trailer and YJ up the canyon with the ease of an experienced 4 wheeler. Everyone else followed without much difficulty. Once at the top of Basketball Hill, our group paused for a group picture before heading to the lush spring-fed canyon just 15 minutes down the trail.

Our last day was spent traveling along Canyon Jaquegel as it snaked eastward down towards San Felipe. Telephone poles exist along this section of trail, and the scenery is spectacular. Our group finally made the crossing of the lower Jaquegel in quick time and was back at Hwy 5 by 1:30 p.m. (a record!). Everyone had a great time on the trail, and I hope to lead this trip again in late '07.

Baja Pole Line 5 Photos

[Edited on 12-20-2006 by Ken Cooke]

TMW - 12-20-2006 at 08:06 AM

Ken I couldn't access the photos would you check the link. Thanks

Bruce R Leech - 12-20-2006 at 08:19 AM

Ken your grope has some fine Jeeps, and you sure know how to have fun with them. thanks for the report.

Ken Cooke - 12-20-2006 at 08:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
Ken I couldn't access the photos would you check the link. Thanks


Link:

http://www.justruns.com/gallery2/v/Run+Photos

JustRuns Photo Gallery - Go straight to 'Baja Pole Line Run 5'

bajalou - 12-20-2006 at 08:37 AM

Sounds like a fine trip Ken - I'm going to have to do it one of these days-

Ken Cooke - 12-20-2006 at 08:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Sounds like a fine trip Ken - I'm going to have to do it one of these days-


We can take a couple of hitch hikers - no problem! Park your vehicle at the airport in Calexico, and we'll have an open seat for you with our group. One warning, we tend to stop at all of the major supermercados (after 10 a.m. we learned), to buy our Cervezas and Tequilas.

BTW, we only bring back 3 beers each when the fun is all over! ;)

bajalou - 12-20-2006 at 08:58 AM

Naw - I want to meet you at Cohabuzo Junction - see how my desert rail will do on some of those hills. Back in the 60's, jeepers used to scratch their heads when they got to the top of a hill and my VW pickup was already there,

TMW - 12-21-2006 at 06:15 PM

Found the pix, thanks Ken, great stuff.

From the air

bajalou - 12-23-2006 at 11:05 AM

Here's what the trip looked like from somewhere above






And viewed in Google Earth


[Edited on 12-23-2006 by bajalou]


[Edited on 12-23-2006 by bajalou]

Neal Johns - 12-23-2006 at 12:02 PM

Ken, you modest devil, you left your picture out!

Leroy.jpg - 49kB

Ken Cooke - 12-23-2006 at 02:30 PM

Taking a break during the Basketball Hill night run:



After the night run at the Basketball Hill summit. Yes, it was freak-ing dark outside!!

Ken Cooke - 12-23-2006 at 02:31 PM

New Baja Pole Line Road Slide show! [url=Watch show: http://www.photoshow.net/watch/Jk8bU7ky]Hit this link, right here...[/url]

Hey Keen

BAJACAT - 1-1-2007 at 01:23 PM

What do you think about cj's 5 Im looking into buying one.. I just like that old school look you know large round headlights,maybe something beteween 1979 and 1989..

sorry I forgot nice pictures..

BAJACAT - 1-1-2007 at 01:24 PM

Ken----

Barry A. - 1-1-2007 at 01:38 PM

Supurb show by Suzanne----thanks for that. What beautiful country.

You guys must be back from Copper Canyon------is there a complete report coming out soon? I did see all the snow you got into at Creel--------amazing!!! Did you get down to Batopilas???

Barry

Ken Cooke - 1-1-2007 at 08:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
You guys must be back from Copper Canyon------is there a complete report coming out soon?


I am typing from the warm lobby of El Paraiso del Oso in Cerocahui, Chihuahua, Mexico. We have internet, but we also have bad weather coming. We hope to make it to Temoris tomorrow afternoon. With snow and mud, the going has been really slow.

Mr. Cat? A CJ5 is a great platform to build upon. With a set of full-width axles and 33s/35s you will do great.

David K - 1-2-2007 at 11:36 AM

Cat, the last CJ-5 model was 1983... Baja Angel has a '79 Silver Anniversary CJ-5 Renegade.

The CJ-7 (10" longer, square doorway) introduced for the 1976 year model to offer an optional automatic transmission and Quadra Trac full time four wheel drive lasted to 1986 when the Wrangler was introduced (model YJ) with a wider, lower look and square headlights. This was less prone to rolling over as the narrow tracked CJs were shown to do on 60 Minutes.

The model TJ Wrangler was introduced for the '97 model year with 70% new stuff in the formula and a return to round headlights! The Rubicon edition offers the best stock set up for Baja.

The new, bigger JK Wrangler was just introduced... go to www.jeep.com

[Edited on 1-11-2007 by David K]

jeans - 1-2-2007 at 09:12 PM

Great pictures...BUT that Photoshow production is WAY Cool!!

I can see in my future hours of creating shows of family pictures then burning them on DVDs.....I got Christmas NEXT YEAR taken care of! :lol::lol:

cj5

BAJACAT - 1-2-2007 at 10:50 PM

Thaks for the comments guys ( ken dk). I will look into it.

bajataco - 1-11-2007 at 02:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke

I am typing from the warm lobby of El Paraiso del Oso in Cerocahui, Chihuahua, Mexico. We have internet, but we also have bad weather coming. We hope to make it to Temoris tomorrow afternoon. With snow and mud, the going has been really slow.


Awesome! I can't wait to hear about the trip. Careful if you overnight in Temoris, on our trip through last year one of our party w/o a locking fuel cap had his tank sucked dry in the dark of night (inside a gated yard, no less!) Fun town and awesome train depot though.

Ken Cooke - 1-11-2007 at 11:55 PM

We drove through Tubares to El Choix to El Fuerte, and we did meet a group of Narcos. Not fun people to bump into at the town store. :fire:

I think I posted something on the 'Baja Trip Reports' section. It was a real long drive home, and with 3 long trips back to back, I am enjoying my time at home right now...