The week of the run was very rainy with a few firsthand accounts of dangerous conditions in the Laguna Salada. Several people who had planned on
attending this run either contacted me that they were backing out, or didn't say anything and decided to stay at home. The group of 10+ drivers
turned out to be 3 drivers as Leidys and I arrived at the Pep Boys on Imperial Blvd. Not phased, I met the nice people who decided to go on the
scenic 4WD run with Leidys and I, handed them the David Kier published article on the Pole Line Run, and we made the challenging drive into Mexicali.
The entrance into Mexicali had been reduced to just one lane. Drivers had resorted to blocking out others by reducing their distance between cars
within mere inches. With our CB radio contact, I was able to cut into traffic, and then hold following vehicles back, directing Bill (White Land
Rover)and Akula/Karen (White JKUR) in front of me. David (4 Runner) was a few vehicles ahead of our group, but thanks to Google Maps, we all made our
rendezvous on Baja California before turning left onto Colegio Militar. Huitzi (grey JKUR) sent text messages that he and Saturnino were already at
our lunch stop - Asadero El Morlan, 11 miles away in Progreso, Mexicali. We arrived at about noon when a steady rain began to fall. What kind of run
would this turn into? With rain falling and our route possibly under water, it looked 'iffy' that our run would materialize into something fun we had
all expected. Regardless, each vehicle had shovels, additional gas cans, and were fully stocked, expecting adversity in the name of adventure.
[Edited on 2-22-2017 by Ken Cooke]Ken Cooke - 2-22-2017 at 01:23 PM
Our modest group parked outside of the Pep Boys, 400 Imperial Blvd, Calexico.
Calexico gridlock
Our lunch stop at Asadero el Morlan created smiles and cured hunger pains for everyone!
(Left to right) Leidys, Akula (Daryl), and Zoe.
Ken Cooke - 2-22-2017 at 01:32 PM
Once we left the great taco shop, our vehicles were gassed up and we prepped for the trail. Our group of four was now six vehicles. It was pointed
out that my CB radio system was not functioning, so Saturnino provided me with a 2 meter radio for use on the trail. Our plan was to travel from
Progreso to the Guadalupe Canyon turnoff at Hwy 2. From there, we would drive 48 miles to Cohabuzo Junction where Jack, Rich and Paul would be
waiting for us.
The graded road to Guadalupe Canyon was very rough. Once I realized that the washboard only persisted, it made sense for some of the vehicles to air
their tires down. We reached Cohabuzo Junction at 4:15 p.m. Just minutes after Rich, Jack and Paul decided to continue a short distance down the
trail for more secluded camping. Our group stayed in the Cohabuzo arroyo - blocking our tents from the gentle, cold winds that crept up in the night.
With the road from Hwy 5 and Saldana sticky with mud, we had no real concerns for a steady stream of drivers throughout the night.
Stopped on our way to Cohabuzo Junction, we saw this amazing rainbow.
[Edited on 2-22-2017 by Ken Cooke]TMW - 2-22-2017 at 01:42 PM
Thanks Ken. Rain is never a good thing when heading into a mountain area, flash floods and all. But I'm excited to read your report and how the trail
was.Ken Cooke - 2-22-2017 at 02:17 PM
Thanks Ken. Rain is never a good thing when heading into a mountain area, flash floods and all. But I'm excited to read your report and how the trail
was.
I didn't want anyone to risk their well-being on this run. Saturnino told me that the local Police and Search and Rescue have been making regular
patrols of the Laguna Salada, looking for stranded motorists. He told me that it takes about 2 weeks for the Laguna Salada to recover from just one
day of rainfall!Pacifico - 2-22-2017 at 02:23 PM
Looking forward to more trail pics!Ken Cooke - 2-22-2017 at 02:51 PM
Text
The skies wore omnious levels of moisture above our Jeeps.
Lowering the tire pressure allowed our vehicles to travel more smoothly.
Lowering the air pressure off the highway or off the dry lake is pretty much a serious must-do. Unless you drive is under 20 miles and refilling is a
hassle... In 2015, we (all?) deflated once we were off the lakebed.6WHEELN - 2-23-2017 at 02:32 AM
Thanks Ken for organizing and leading the 2017 Pole Line Run! We had a fantastic time!
Here are a few pics from Day One:
[Edited on 2-23-2017 by 6WHEELN]PaulW - 2-23-2017 at 08:27 AM
I will let Ken continue with his narrative and I will tell you about the 3 of us from San Felipe.
Friday after studying the Rumoraso and Mexicai forecast off we went. Those forecasts were for 10% chance on Friday PM and 80% chance for 2 hours of
light rain in the PM on Saturday. The result was a correct forecast.
First night on Friday was at Guadalupe Canyon under partly cloudy skies. Did the hike, but did not find the cascades and waterfall? Overnight I heard
rain fall, but in the AM the tent was dry. (Back home in SF I had 0.35" in my seldom used rain gauge - big storm there).
Saturday as Ken mentioned we drove to Moro turnoff and started our camp. During the PM drive we had light rain and used the wipers. Lunch snacks
while driving. Tents were half pitched and the sky opened and we got wet. The rain lasted about 20 minutes and then we dried the stuff with towels,
ate supper and sat around the camp fire till bed time. All under the stars since the sky was clear. The next morning the sun got everything dry before
Ken and group arrived.
Mexicali tour video
Ken Cooke - 2-23-2017 at 02:40 PM
Our group turned right onto Zorro then onto Baja California - Where the host of this photo is standing.lol
What a coincidence to see this in high-definition!
