Jeeps invade Guadalupe Canyon Hot Springs!

December 27, 2005




We had a wonderful time, but you wouldn't believe the trail congestion with 10 Jeeps and a Ford Explorer (on 35" Maxxis Creepy Crawler tires).

Some were curious, while others looked furious!

Why did these Jeeps come to ruin such a quiet place in Baja?

It was fun, and we had the time of our lives before setting our sights on the 1942 Pole Line Road!

Isaiah enjoying a dip in one of the hot tubs along the upper Palm area of Guadalupe Canyon


Traveling east near the Olive Plantation, we hit a crossroads that looked like this.


Near El Jamau, Paul and Anita talked Jeeps while Paul warmed his tamales on his Jeep Manifold!



We finally reached the cobblestone path known as the Pole Line Road!


Got Baja?


Anita drove her Rubicon like a Rock Master! (or Mistress) The rocks on the Pole Line Road are not for the faint at heart.





Nomad 'CG' in his Ford Explorer and 35 Maxxis Creepy Crawlers. In fact, he did not have a single tire failure after switching from the Pro-Comp X-Terrain with notoriously weak sidewalls.

Baja is a very beautiful place!


Just don't invite the "wrong crowd" on a Jeep run! They tend to behave like Eugene the Jeep, crawling up anything in their path!





They made it up!

Jeeping along Cobblestone pavement!

Our Jeeps had a remarkable day with absolutely no breakdowns on the entire trip. We did suffer one BFG AT/KO sidewall failure, but that was after this group of magnificent photos!





Don't people believe in "Car-Pooling" anymore???


Mike carried enough gasoline to avoid a Pemex shutdown!

Fact: Mike took his Jeep to the 4Wheel Parts store in Riverside, CA to have his Jeep regeared - the results were less than perfect!

Before this trip, Mike went to the 4 Wheel Parts store to have his Jeep regeared and to have a Detroit Locker installed in the rear differential.

Fact: While the rear was regeared as planned, the front differential had a different ring/pinion installed causing some disasterous results on the trail! Mike later stated that he would not go there for differential service again.

Traction issues on Basketball Hill in Mike's Black YJ - the gearing issue was the real problem here.



Mike using his winch to reach the top of Basketball Hill.


We made it to the top of Basketball Hill for this intimate photo at sunset!


We passed through "Cowboy Canyon" in the dark in order to reach Cañon Jaquegel where we spent the night and went hiking the next day!

The next day at Cañon Jaquegel...and our hike to a Native American Heritage Site!

Jeeps parked at dawn, occupants waking up
.

We hiked to this Hunting Blind used by Indiginous Americans to hunt wildlife.


After the hike, it was "Trail Time" and back to the trucks for the drive to San Felipe!


Ford Explorers are great for carrying camping gear, friends, family and in-laws as shown here.

A stock Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with 31" Goodyear MT/R tires could handle anything the Baja Pole Line Road threw at it!

Here, Anita tackles the trail in her new purchase!


Brad/Rhoda in their XJ Cherokee with long-arm Rusty's Suspension and 33" BFG AT/KO tires.


CG in his Baja-proven Ford Explorer, 35" Maxxis Creepy Crawler 35" Tires. Isaiah helped with spotting duties.



Mike in his '94 Jeep YJ Wrangler.

A lone communications pole that we gathered around for photos. Not everyone wanted to stand near it. Go figure.

The lower reaches of the Pole Line Road became difficult with challenging washouts and volcanic rock that literally splits Jeep tires with 3 Ply sidewalls! Only in Baja, Mexico!

Paul helping CG find the trail


Avoiding washouts from 1942 which have not since been repaired! Viva Baja!



We made it to the end of the trail! Now, the fun part - our drive to San Felipe for food and drinks!

When you see this rather damaged-looking mountain peak in Baja, you made it through 85% of the rough stuff and your trip is almost over.



CG arriving at the Pemex station after a challenging 4WD trip with plenty of fun and friends.


Billy standing in front of the Pemex station. In fact, this Pemex station was damaged in the Mexicali Quakes and is no longer in use.



FINITO!