Neal Johns - 12-26-2004 at 02:44 PM
The Pole Line Road
The ROC (Rubicon Owners of California) a hard core, rock crawling, Jeep model, in the person of Trip Leader Ken Cooke, asked me to guide them over a
trail in Northern Baja known as the Pole Line Road. The Pole Line Road was build during WW2 to put a telephone line from San Felipe, MX to Ensenada,
MX and then over existing lines to the US Navy in San Diego. It was felt that enemy submarines could enter the Gulf of California and do evil things
if precautions were not taken.
Nine vehicles started the trip from Calexico, CA. Included were Nomads Ken Cooke, John Marnell (John M), Roy Hall (The Square Circle), and Neal Johns
(and no Jeep Rubicons except Ken?s!). I suspected the hardest part would be getting through Mexicali, as there was construction going on at the
intersection where we usually turn right. With the before-run help of a knowledgeable gentleman commonly known as Wild Bill, we made it through
without a hitch.
Leaving the highway for the dirt a few miles west of Mexicali, our vehicles seemed to stand taller and breathe easier, I know we did. In a couple of
hours we were crossing the lower sandwash ends of Canyon Palomar and Isabel. These are major watersheds and are over a half mile wide where we
crossed. Not a cloud in the sky and temperatures in the 70s gave me a better feeling than once before when Marian and I crossed it while it was in
flood. We took a photo break at a palm log corral in Canyon Palomar and talked about the hot springs above Rancho Palomar. We then drove near enough
to peek at an abandoned hunting lodge that used to belong to a drug lord or crooked politician, depending on which story you wish to believe.
We got to camp at Cohabuzo Junction just at dusk and were surprised to see and hear a vehicle approaching from the south. It turned out to be a couple
of local ranchers in a four wheel drive van with one front tire ripped to shreds. I let them use my satellite phone to call relatives in the US and
try to get help. They arranged for backup the next day if they didn?t make it. The group fed and watered them well, and gave them covers so they would
not be so cold sleeping in their van and the next morning they headed east, thumpey thump, to Hwy. 5 about 25 miles away. We followed them for a few
miles and they seemed to be doing pretty good.
So?.Who was left behind to die? No one actually, just left behind.
TMW - 12-27-2004 at 08:47 AM
Why would anyone be out there without a spare tire. In fact if your alone you should have two spares or carry a MC with you.
David K - 12-27-2004 at 08:52 AM
Perhaps they were 'farmers' checking on their 'crops'!! 
Ken Cooke - 12-28-2004 at 05:18 PM
David,
There was no evidence of this - I looked through their van while the guys weren't looking. I was surprised that they didn't have a spare tire, extra
water, food, blankets, etc. Not to worry, it is Baja!
-Ken
Spare tire???
Mike Humfreville - 12-29-2004 at 07:32 PM
And ruin all the fun???