The call went out over the radio that there was something wrong with Mike's new JK Rubicon. With less than 10,000 miles on the odometer and still
wearing stock tires, we couldn't believe anything could be wrong with this state-of-the-art rig. But, rocks do have a way of redesigning
undercarriage componentry, and after stopping to get a better look, it was unanimous that Mike did not stand a very good chance of making it back to
Hwy 1.
Our original plans called for our 13 vehicles to camp near the cold springs 1 1/2 mile past Mission Santa Maria. There, we could watch wildlife come
from miles around to drink the clear water that gathers in the granite pools before lacing up our hiking boots and hiking to the legendary El Camino
Real before noon. But, these plans failed to materialize. After rigging up a temporary fix that included a chain, a nut & bolt, and a forged
hook, Mike was able to partially steer his Jeep enough to get himself up near the mission where our 13 vehicles called it a night. The reason? An
approaching cold front promised increased winds and rain with the possibility of a flash flood which could wisk our Jeeps away in the dark of night.
Although there were no flash floods that night in this torrential-scarred wash, the peace of mind was definitely worth it.
Back on the trail, yet another challenge awaited our group. Jay McNight in his stock 4Runner could not negotiate a near verticle ledge on the dirt
road leading back to the mission. With plastic valance in place, and what seemed to be a joke for a TRD-equipped rear locker, this SUV simply could
not climb out. With a fast yank, our group was back in camp, and gladly setting up our tents on higher ground.
It was Thanksgiving Day, and Mike announced that he wanted to head back to Hwy 1 to get his rig welded back together. Russ also needed to return to
Catavina to make a telephone call, so with your truely on board, our three Jeeps made the 14 mile, 3 hour drive back to Rancho Santa Ines. Time was
definitely on our side as we neared the first major obstacle on this trail - the off-camber canyon just outside of Rancho Santa Ines. But instead of
attacking this canyon, our route was blocked by a pop-top camper-clad '08 F350 SuperDuty pickup. The two drivers were a pair of surfers who wanted to
see the mission. But, with the girth and poor breakover of this FX4 fullsize extended cab pickup, only misfortune awaited these two. Without
recovery gear, knowledge of airing down their All-Terrain tires for traction, let alone having a jack to change their BFGoodrich tires, these two
would have found themselves quickly in over their heads.
After advising these two newbies to return in a more capable, smaller vehicle, our Jeeps arrived at Ralph and Pat Shoemakers hideaway with Ralph ready
for tales of misery and pain. Pat was nearly finished cooking their Thanksgiving dinner, but Ralph wanted the chance to look over the new JK
Unlimited Rubicon and provide Mike with the necessary welding work that would make this '07 model trailworthy once again. After firing up the Lincoln
Welder, Ralph made a series of welds that would return this 4 door marvel of backcountry machinery into the capable rig it once was. After the
welding was compete, Ralph gave us a tour of the grounds, telling us about all of the stranded drivers with damaged vehicles that make their way
through his corner of Rancho Santa Ines year after year. Ralph was proud of the work he has provided for travelers in need, and he took no payment
from Mike when it was offered.
It was 5:15 p.m. when our 3 Jeeps made it back into camp. Our KC Daylighters blazing a path on this crooked road, while offering a sort of light show
for our friends back in camp. "Renegade" Dave had some great campfire jokes as always, and Tal (of "Team Isreal") had this great joke about the
elephant and, "How many elephant tusks do you see?" The jokes and laughter stretched late into the evening, and this would conclude this year's Baja
Grande event.
The next morning, our group streamed out of camp in twos and threes. "Renegade" Phil Londo, a San Diego-area firefighter thought it would be fun to
simply hike out. So, he jogged a majority of the way back to Rancho Santa Ines while "Team Isreal" spotted Jay and Brigitte McKnight and their
stock-height TRD-equipped 4Runner. Using one foot on the emergency brake pedal for additional torque-traction, the 4Runner made its way back to Hwy 1
under its' own power. Sure, the running boards were damaged and bore unsightly reminders of the trails encountered during 1 week south of the border.
But, they told a story different from most of the SUV running boards you and I see in most parking lots across America.
By noon, our group had reconviened at the Cafe located across the street from La Pinta Motel in Catavina. Lunch awaited some, while others grouped
up, and drove straight to El Rosario where our pre-booked motel rooms awaited us. Others had visions of Baja 1000 grandeur, and sped off towards the
Pacific where a magnificent sunset awaited them. Vibrant hues of yellow, orange, then purple streaked across the Baja Grande sky. With desolate
fisher camps in their rearview mirrors, the last of our group arrived by 6 p.m. to the last surprise of the Baja Grande event.
The Baja Cactus Motel in El Rosario had been ready for Baja Grande's arrival. After weeks of preparation, our preferred parking was staked out by the
staff of this motel, and our arrival was met with open arms. Baja Grande sold out the Baja Cactus Motel in El Rosario, and the management of this
quaint, rustic motel wanted to show us a little love. Hot showers, bottled water, high-speed internet, cable t.v., and original artwork wowed our
group with all we got for the roughly $36 we paid per room. What a treat of a motel located in the heart of Baja.
Next door at Mama Espinosas Restaurant, several 'Grande participants were working towards accruing a $250 bar tab for our Baja Grande table. The food
was good, but not on par with the El Colorado Restaurante back in San Felipe, but it was definitely satisfying.
Thanks for everyone that made the 2007 Baja Grande a memorable experience. Antonio of Baja Cactus and Ross Tubbs of Gotta Look Sharp for designing
this years "Grande Gear." Muchas Gracias Todos Ustedes!!
-KenKen Cooke - 12-7-2007 at 11:54 PM
Ken Cooke - 12-7-2007 at 11:55 PM
Ken Cooke - 12-7-2007 at 11:58 PM
Phil Londo hiked most of the way out from Mission Impossible on foot. Phil is a San Diego-area Firefighter full-time...
Ken Cooke - 12-8-2007 at 12:00 AM
The infamous "Team Isreal" kept us laughing with all of their arguing in Hebrew on the CB throughout the trip.
Ken Cooke - 12-8-2007 at 12:01 AM
Our "Toyota" friends kept it real by keeping us from being a "Jeep Exclusive" event...
TMW - 12-8-2007 at 11:28 AM
I love it. But you should have let the FX4 Ford go on in. The story of getting them out would have been a master piece.Gadget - 12-8-2007 at 12:09 PM
So Ken,
You never did say exactly what it was that broke on the 4 door Jeep. Something that was over looked in the technological marvel of engineering or
just a lack of it?
When I break something on GSB, it's been on jack stands since our Oct trip, it is one or the other. But since its an 80s Ford product, it's really
cause its something I have neglected to upgrade, like the original U-joints on the front driveline as an example
Sounds like another great Baja trip and my hats of to you as trail boss for that size crew. I know from experience that is a really big challenge.
Wish we had been along for the fun.
We will be soon!Ken Cooke - 12-8-2007 at 02:06 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Gadget
So Ken,
You never did say exactly what it was that broke on the 4 door Jeep.
The trackbar mount that attaches directly to the axle tube. Real bad design...
Here's Mike holding the separated piece before having it welded up in Ralph's shop.
After fixing his rig, Mike was GOOD 2 GO!
David K - 12-8-2007 at 06:01 PM
Thanks a bunch Ken... great story and photos... You even showed the brand of vehicle parked inside Ralph's garage!
I have seen some 4Runners with that running board and sissy garbage and all I can say is, get real... The road to Mision Santa Maria will show you
what vehicles are 'Baja Proven'!!!
Folks, enjoy the photos we have posted of the mission and the sites along the way, and beyond... DO NOT ATTEMPT this road in anything but a true off
road 4WD vehicle with traction assist from locking differentials or a buddy vehicle with a winch or tow strap.
Long wheel base, or vehicles with shallow approach or departure angles (overhang ahead or behind tires) have no hope of reaching the mission or
returning without difficulty.
The canyon crossing less than 2 miles from Santa Ynez is mild compared to other obsticles found later in the trip, yet it is tough enough to halt
anyone not properly prepared for this road... as in the case of those surfers Ken found there in a F-350 camper!
[Edited on 12-9-2007 by David K]Ken Cooke - 12-9-2007 at 12:28 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by TW
I love it. But you should have let the FX4 Ford go on in. The story of getting them out would have been a master piece.
Uh, yeah. Pickup truck enters road to Mission, but becomes immobilized when it tries to back up and out of bad road into mission.
The surfer guys realize they are in over their heads and instead continue forward, towards the canyon. They bang up their 3rd qtr. panels and rocker
panels to the point that the doors on their brand-new FX4 pickup barely open. The pair park their pickup truck next to the swamp and set up camp in
the clearing, but get eaten by mosquitos. At 6 a.m., the pair try to ascend the rocky trail leading up to "The Widowmaker." Instead, they get stuck
and decide to let air out of their All-Terrain (crap) tires. They accidently let too much air out of their tires, and pop a bead on their
33"x11.5"r16.5 tires. Good golly, now its time to hike out. The pair carry provisions in their backpacks, and reach Catavina 2 days later on foot.
After making phone calls, they arrive in Ensenada the next day where they meet "Pablo" who operates a "Grua" Towing service. Pablo and 2 helpers
accompany the 2 surfer dudes back to Rancho Santa Ines, but the tow truck needs servicing after it crosses the canyon, and it turns back for work done
in El Rosario where parts are delivered. Now, 5 days have passed, and the surfer dudes are getting worried. They forgot their passports and one of
their wallets in the pickup, and this pickup is less than 3 weeks old.
They arrive after the tow truck gets parts to repair its cooling system, and the pickup truck is exactly where they left it! Nothing has been stolen,
and the guys jump in to start the engine. The engine starts, but then slowly stops. After 4 or 5 wobbly starts, the engine refuses to turn over.
The guys get out of the truck, and after inspecting the vehicle, notice a line of oil, leading to a punctured oil pan. JB Weld closes up the hole,
some oil is poured in the new, shiny engine, but nothing. NOTHING! The engine on the surfers new F350 is shot! The thing is too heavy to pull up
all of the rocky hills, so it must be left again for the bigger truck in Tijuana to help Pablo and his helpers. But, the truck in Tijuana will not
leave town without a big cash deposit. So, the surfer dudes must return to Laguna Beach without their truck. 2 weeks elapse, and they don't have a
clue about how to get their truck back to the 'states. The new license plates come in the mail, and their wives ask about the truck they co-signed
for, but only excuses about deadlines at work, and a friend who was moving out of town and needed it to carry a water heater to Atascadero. 5 weeks
later, the pair return with a group of 5 Jeeps from a local 4WD club. Heavy recovery work is performed, and thanks to the torque and capability of
these brawny, but small rigs, the F350 is pulled clear to Catavina where it is loaded on a flat-bed and carried clear to Tecate. Another friend with
a tow rope tugs the truck to the border where additional help required getting this rig legally across the border. Once again, the Jeeps provided the
necessary help to get this pickup into Tecate, CA where it waited for a triple A truck. The surfer dudes get the truck "repaired" under warranty, and
thanks to the JEEPS saving the day, everyone rests well.
The surfer dudes take some advice from the Jeepers, and buy an 8" Fabtech coilover suspension lift, and with 38" Interco IROK tires, Cro-Mo Alloy
Axleshafts, Warn 16.5 winch, ARB/Ected lockers, and 5.13 ring&pinion, they tackle Mission Impossible (sans the camper top), and realize this trail
took some getting used to, but thanks to advice from their new JEEP friends, and 2 additional rigs traveling with them, they could experience travel
back to the mission in a safe manner...David K - 12-9-2007 at 10:43 AM
Interesting story fabrication there Ken!Barry A. - 12-9-2007 at 11:04 AM
Ken------What a great story, and you told it with style!!!
A good example of "money" overcoming extremely bad judgement coupled with lack of experience------but they learned pretty fast, didn't they, and they
were resourceful.
barryTMW - 12-9-2007 at 11:55 AM
See, I told you it would be a "MASTER PIECE"Ken Cooke - 12-9-2007 at 05:34 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Interesting story fabrication there Ken!
Hahahaha!!!
[Edited on 12-10-2007 by Ken Cooke]Gadget - 12-9-2007 at 10:41 PM
Either that was taken in Jurasic Park or me thinks its die cast. wilderone - 12-10-2007 at 12:45 PM
" DO NOT ATTEMPT this road in anything but a true off road 4WD vehicle with traction assist from locking differentials or a buddy vehicle with a winch
or tow strap."
One can conquer this road with some Vasque hiking boots and your own two feet.ELINVESTIG8R - 12-10-2007 at 12:57 PM
Great story and pictures. I enjoyed them very much. That green Ford pickup though...Geeesh!David K - 12-10-2007 at 06:39 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by wilderone
" DO NOT ATTEMPT this road in anything but a true off road 4WD vehicle with traction assist from locking differentials or a buddy vehicle with a winch
or tow strap."
One can conquer this road with some Vasque hiking boots and your own two feet.
Sure, if you are young, healthy, or foolish. A 4WD makes more of the public able to enjoy the outdoors and not just the physically fit or those with
no time restraints, like people without jobs... It is far safer to have a vehicle in there, should one of those famous red diamondbacks strike!
By the way.... I love hiking... the trails that extend beyond the Jeep roads... like the Camino Real!
[Edited on 12-11-2007 by David K]Gadget - 12-11-2007 at 07:44 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by ELINVESTI8
Great story and pictures. I enjoyed them very much. That green Ford pickup though...Geeesh!
Ummm, look at the leafs on the ground Barry A. - 12-11-2007 at 10:22 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Gadget
Quote:
Originally posted by ELINVESTI8
Great story and pictures. I enjoyed them very much. That green Ford pickup though...Geeesh!
Ummm, look at the leafs on the ground
Did you attend Special Agent School? VERY perceptive!!!!!
