2017 Baja Pole Line Run (Day 2 of 3) +photos!

Our group woke up to skies that had largely cleared of any actual rainclouds. The sky began to take on a more ubiquitous Baja quality. After handing the group a Sunday agenda, explaining our expected route, travel distances, times and trail ratings, we headed south towards the Summit road. I had this feeling that the three Jeeps were camped just ahead of us on the trail, and all I spotted was a mirage off in the distance that resembled the reflection of their windows.

Eventually, I spotted the camp spot and radioed to our group that the Jeeps were ahead in the trail. After a short 40 minutes on the trail, we happily exited our vehicles and greeted everyone. Our next stop led us above the silty arroyos to Arroyo Saiz. We made excellent time to Arroyo Saiz, stopping there for a lunch stop. Once we entered the makeshift gates leading to the Pole Line Road, we walked over to the large, heavy gate and looked at the bulking lock inside of a large, plated block of steel. Someone had appeared to try cutting into the gate, but to no avail. The gate continued to block ingress to anyone with anything larger than a 2-wheeled bike. The trail appeared undriven, and with a large boulder placed beside the gate, one would now be obligated to travel the roughly 2 kilometers along the easement southwest to the easy go-around.

Go-around we went! Our elation to be finally traveling along the Pole Line Road - 75 Years after its' inception had quickly turned to outrage. The entire area was now blocked with a series of metal fencing! There would be no Pole Line Run for the Akula and Karen who drove their Jeep from Vancouver Island! No Pole Line Run for Huitzi who drove his Jeep from San Bernardino to Rosarito with his Father along the precarious Hwy 2, earlier the day before! No Pole Line Run - not today, not ever again. End of run, end of thread. Goodbye.

Cohabuzo Camp #1

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

No more peace, love and fish tacos, eh?

Huitzi, Agustin, and Saturnino




Jack enjoying the beauty of Cohabuzo arroyo



Bill's classic Rover in Cohabuzo arroyo







[Edited on 2-22-2017 by Ken Cooke]

Our group rounded the hill and encountered a barrier that we managed to finesse allowing easy passage through to the other side. But once we crossed into the Pole Line region, Bill (Land Rover guy) heard what he thought were gunshots off into the distance

Then, one by one, we all began to hear the same repetitious gunfire! Was the rancher shooting at us? I told the group that thiz run would be better off vacating, but Akula had a different idea. He hiked up the ridge, and judged what we thought was gunfire was coming from another canyon about 10 miles away. I drove up the ridge with Saturnino, our new friend from Mexicali, because he wanted to sort the whole thing out. Once we climbed up the ridge, there were no angry Rancheros visible. So, we ascended the trail, but saw an additional fence along the ridgetop! I got out of my Jeep, and Saturnino and I hiked the hill for a better view. The ridgetop fence was open! I radioed the group and up and over the pass we went on our Pole Line adventure!

What was this post supposed to mean?:

No Pole Line Run - not today, not ever again. End of run, end of thread. Goodbye.

Quote: Originally posted by David K

What was this post supposed to mean?: No Pole Line Run - not today, not ever again. End of run, end of thread. Goodbye.

cliffhanger worked on me glad ya had fun anyhoots

The White Tank

Once our group reached the White Tank, it became obvious that there were no angry Rancheros on horseback anywhere to be seen. So, our group lined up our Jeeps and trucks before taking a late lunch and photo session of our Jeeps.

The weather looked great, the desert was the greenest it has ever looked recently, and our group was able to breathe a collective sigh of relief.



Bill the Land Rover guy



Huitzi and his Dad Agustin



Akula obviously has no fear of heights


From the White Tank, it was a simple drive to Basketball Hill. Everyone climbed it, then posed for the traditional photo.




We then continued to Jaquegel canyon for Camp night #2 - arriving at 4 pm just as stated on the agenda. It was an early evening for most of us, with everyone beaming about the fairly easy trail run we have handled thus far.

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Hey, great to see... So, are you where the palm trees are or are you where we camped the second night in 2015? That means the washed out road was not a problem! You saw the poles?

A few of my pics from Day Two to supplement Ken's thrilling and suspenseful narrative:

Dog & Boy enjoying Big Jeep shade:



You Shall Not Pass:



To save gas, Dear Leader Ken coerced Akula of Canada to manually pull his jeep up many of the inclines:



Ten rigs at the White Water Tank:



Basketball Hill:

Quote: Originally posted by blackwolfmt

Nice jeep and trailer, real nice,, thnks for the pics lks like a blast

Muy bien grabaccion, Akula!

Quote: Originally posted by Akula

Headed up Basketball Hill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmbD_kZckEs

Cañon Enmedio to Cañon Jaquegel

Our first canyon crossing after entering the ranch-region above Cañon Enmedio - rocky.

Cañon Enmedio to Basketball Hill

Cañon Enmedio - leading to the 'Perfect Cobblestone Hill'





Here, Huitzi is looking at the difficult route.











Saturnino did great in his nearly stock Bronco

Basketball Hill

Basketball Hill


















"Everyone say cheese!"

Cañon Jaquegel








[Edited on 3-6-2017 by Ken Cooke]

Quote: Originally posted by norte

It appears the owner did not want anyone traversing his property. Do you think you improved relations by going anyway? This is how off-roaders get bad name