BajaNomad - el imposible trip report 2/4 (Matomi Wash/Matomi Canyon)

el imposible trip report 2/4 (Matomi Wash/Matomi Canyon)

Ken Cooke - 2-22-2019 at 08:08 AM

el imposible - Matomi Wash/Matomi Canyon

Our group spent two restful nights in San Felipe that provided us opportunities to sample local seafood delicacies both on the Malecón (at Del Mar, Taco Factory, and Rice and Beans) as well as through local grocers selling locally sourced shellfish. Billy and Karen's birthdays were celebrated poolside back at the Diamante. Rich led our group to the Matomi Wash, and through the challenging Matomi narrows.

The San Felipe desert is in the midst of a superbloom - the grounds and desert forests are carpeted with purple, white and yellow wildflowers. We passed these colorful pockets along with majestic stands of Cardón at the junction with Matomi Wash and Matomi Canyon. Many of the bright hues disappeared once inside the more rocky Matomi Wash, although some endemic Bottlebrush were able to germinate and flower near the trail. Considering it's reputation the Matomi is a worthy component to the impossible route. Scenic cactus gardens gave way to sand and rocky paths with multiple options for our six capably prepared Jeep and Toyota vehicles that were on today's run. Victor's exceptionally built two door JK on 38” BFG KM2s ran an optional line through a rock garden, giving pause to the rest of the drivers as rocks needed to be stacked due to his rig being high-centered, unable to self extract. His winchline was eventually used, pulling him down the large pile of rocks that blocked his rockcrawlers path.

Once past the sand-covered rock gardens, we drove about 15 miles through deep pockets of sand that could easily stop any modern, car-based SUV dead in its tracks. Sharp rocks jetted out of fine, powderlike sand while sharp thorns from dried brush threatened all but the most utilitarian 4x4 tire sidewalls.

The last 18 miles of Matomi canyon saw the red buttes, dotted with ubiquitous stands of Cardón fade into the more well-known, idyllic beach scenery seen north of the Puertecitos area.

ehall - 2-22-2019 at 12:42 PM

Thanks Ken. Looking forward to everyones pictures

fishbuck - 2-22-2019 at 12:50 PM

Sounds cool.

San Felipe downtime

Ken Cooke - 2-28-2019 at 11:06 PM

We selected San Felipe for two nights of downtime in between runs. Our Jeeps were beat up and needed some repairs.

Our route:

Victor's Control Arm mount (bolt) was broken and his steering was sloppy, necessitating his Jeep getting worked on while the rest of us went to the boardwalk (Malecon) for some sightseeing and to buy some souvenirs. It was Billys 72nd birthday, so Leidys and I went gift shopping for him and Karen (whose birthday was on the 25th).

Breakfast along the Malecon looked like this.

Selfie inside of Rice and Beans

Breakfast crew at Rice and Beans

Sightseeing in San Felipe
Inside of Rockodile

While grocery shopping we spotted Rich T's wife Cathy!

Dinner tasted fantastic over a hot flame! Our Sockeye Salmon was kept perfectly frozen in the back of my Dometic 65 quart dual zone Fridge/Freezer.

Victor made steaks for himself and Ellie

The jukebox had TONS of Latin Music! I chose the classic Aniceto Molina - you can never go wrong with the classics!

Later that evening, we celebrated back at the hotel with some BBQ, Karaoke and Birthday cake!

GO BIG OR GO HOME!

[Edited on 3-2-2019 by Ken Cooke]

Ken Cooke - 2-28-2019 at 11:10 PM

The full moon was intense! Like a spotlight on all of San Felipe!

Ken Cooke - 2-28-2019 at 11:15 PM

The morning of our Matomi Wash/Matomi Canyon trek had us meet at the Pemex furthest out of town. There, I disconnected my front sway bar and everyone else aired down their tires.

Billy received the very last 2017 Pole Line Road t-shirt and a San Felipe coffee mug for his birthday. He looked happy to be in Baja with all of us. On the right is Rich T.

Karen (left) talking to Cathy (inside of the Jeep) about the day's runs.

David (6 Wheelin) had a special tool to perfectly proportion the amount of air between left and right sides of his 4 Runner.

Everyone had something to talk about on this early morning.

David K - 3-1-2019 at 01:07 AM

Keep it coming! :light:

Ken Cooke - 3-1-2019 at 11:01 PM

The trail to Matomi Wash is a long, bumpy, dusty ride. I am sure this is what blew out my Pro Comp MX-6 shock absorber. Hours of bump, bump, bump! But it was sure worth it!

[Edited on 3-2-2019 by Ken Cooke]

Ken Cooke - 3-1-2019 at 11:04 PM

During our lunch stop, I examined the rocks and boulders in the area for evidence of past civilizations in the area.

Ken Cooke - 3-1-2019 at 11:11 PM

Into Matomi Narrows

David K - 3-2-2019 at 12:12 AM

Nice to see you guys get through. That was where I turned around in 2017. I was hoping to see sand re-covering the boulders but not yet. They still look as tall! In 2006, it was all covered with sand and an easy passage. In 1979, it was big rocks. The sand in the narrows rises and falls through the years.

Ken Cooke - 3-2-2019 at 12:25 AM

Victor gets into trouble

David K - 3-6-2019 at 10:36 AM

What is the reason you think was why Victor got hung up (other than poor spotting) but the 4Runner (longer rig) didn't?
I see open differentials, so no lockers... but he was a tad too "passenger" and high centered.

Thanks for the videos... Matomí is the extreme!

PaulW - 3-6-2019 at 12:38 PM

Off line. He straddled the big rock instead of putting his tire on it.
Wheelbase comparison
Above TJ 93.4", Rich's LJ 103.4 +37s, Paul's LJ 104.5" +35s, 4Runner 103.4 or 109.8", Cherokee 101.4, JK 4 door 116". Ken's TJ 93.4".

David K - 3-6-2019 at 12:48 PM

I just heard from Ken, yes, Victor took a more difficult line and the others took the better one but I think (armchair quarterbacking, lol) he wasn't spotted correctly and if he went more Driver instead of turning Passenger it would have been a success. Glad to see the Toyota help as a solid anchor for the winch!

All and all, this kind of stuff is exactly what makes four wheeling so special and a good job to Ken for the choices.

Are there more photos or videos of the Pioneer Mine Trail? Did you guys take photos of the 120+ year old gold mine?

StuckSucks - 3-6-2019 at 12:57 PM

Thanks for the off road photos -- fun stuff. I've tagged the videos to watch tonight on the big screen in the garage.

TMW - 3-6-2019 at 01:38 PM

I did not see anything on the winch cable to keep it from whip-lashing if it broke. Not smart from a safety standpoint. A coat, towel etc. most anything will do.

David K - 3-6-2019 at 01:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW

I did not see anything on the winch cable to keep it from whip-lashing if it broke. Not smart from a safety standpoint. A coat, towel etc. most anything will do.

No, but they did all did stand way back like if someone was lighting a stick of dynamite!

TMW - 3-6-2019 at 03:46 PM

It didn't look like the hook was fully in on the other vehicle if that had broken it could come back and hit the windshield of the Jeep and may have hurt the driver. Always put something on a winch cable to dampen it.

Don Pisto - 3-6-2019 at 04:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy

was there alcohol involved?
https://www.facebook.com/lupesracing/videos/2142061479194756...

the laughter is priceless!

Ken Cooke - 3-6-2019 at 09:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

What is the reason you think was why Victor got hung up (other than poor spotting) but the 4Runner (longer rig) didn't?
I see open differentials, so no lockers... but he was a tad too "passenger" and high centered.

Thanks for the videos... Matomí is the extreme!

No poor spotting was involved. The rock and the frame rails were an exact fit for high-centering Victors Jeep. Although his tires were touching the rocks below, there was not enough weight on the tires to pull his Jeep over and away from the rocks. His locking differentials were working.

Ken Cooke - 3-6-2019 at 09:16 PM

David K - 3-7-2019 at 05:35 AM

Fun...

I saw only one tire per axle spin on Victor's video (no locker) and if he turned Driver I think that would keep him from dropping off the square boulder which high centered him. But, I wasn't there... and in the end, all went well.

A successful group trip, congratulations Ken.
Do you still have clothing for sale you made for the run?

Ken Cooke - 3-7-2019 at 05:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Fun...

I saw only one tire per axle spin on Victor's video (no locker) and if he turned Driver I think that would keep him from dropping off the square boulder which high centered him. But, I wasn't there... and in the end, all went well.

A successful group trip, congratulations Ken.
Do you still have clothing for sale you made for the run?

I don't think that Victor saw an advantage to using his front locker. Binding a front axle is a good way to break it. Although he is running RCV axles, it's still foolish to use front lockers when a tire is bound up. The winch line pulled Victor's Jeep out of the rock garden and we continued on.

I still have tshirts from the run. I'm making a few additional hoodies as there were requests for me to make more. I'll place that info on the Classified thread asap.

6WHEELN - 3-7-2019 at 07:08 PM

After Matomi we camped on the beach at Campo La Poma.

The night was a little breezy but dawn brought a stunning rainbow:

Clear views of the Islas Encantadas:

David K - 3-8-2019 at 08:57 AM

Thank you, beautiful photos 6WHEELN... Welcome to Baja Nomad! You have a great Baja rig there! What year 4Runner?

6WHEELN - 3-8-2019 at 11:19 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Thank you, beautiful photos 6WHEELN... Welcome to Baja Nomad! You have a great Baja rig there! What year 4Runner?

Thanks for the welcome!

4Runner is a 2004. I look forward to many more trips to Baja.

Perceburzr - 3-11-2019 at 12:08 PM

Ran a Detroit Locker in the front of my CJ7 With a Dana 44 for years , never had a problem with axles . If he had locked the front I think he could have got through .Ran Rubicon, Fordice , Snake Lake . Just sayin .

Perceburzr - 3-11-2019 at 12:10 PM

Ran a Detroit Locker in the front of my CJ7 With a Dana 44 for years , never had a problem with axles . If he had locked the front I think he could have got through .Ran Rubicon, Fordice , Snake Lake . Just sayin .

David K - 3-11-2019 at 12:27 PM

I am not getting it either... Ken posted another trip video where he was in the bottom of a gully... and rather than use the factory front locker, he got winched out. It is his Jeep, so he should always do what he is comfortable doing... but what if there was no winch and nobody around to strap to? Is the factory Jeep locker so fragile? If yes, shouldn't Jeep use one that won't break so easily?

Welcome to Nomad Percebu Rzr! Keep a close eye on my Shell Island! I miss not being there!!

PaulW - 3-11-2019 at 12:38 PM

Depends on model.
TJs are weak. JKs are stronger. JLs are even stronger.
Upgrade to alloy axles on a TJ and you get the strongest of all.
Then there is the locking device. TJ Rubicons have a weak device front & rear. Later models are pretty good.
Rock crawling users find this all out the hard way.

Perceburzr - 3-11-2019 at 07:34 PM

I agree if you gotem use em , if not why have lockers ????? I think I read that he has aftermarket stronger axles in the front of his Jeep . I broke a rear axle one time when I was on the Rubicon trail , but that was because I put 39.5 " tires on. Found out the hard way that about 35" tires are about the max that a Dana 44 can handle.

Will be heading down the first week in April , I will definitely check on Shell Island for you David .

Perceburzr - 3-11-2019 at 07:47 PM

I agree if you gotem use em , if not why have lockers ????? I think I read that he has aftermarket stronger axles in the front of his Jeep . I broke a rear axle one time when I was on the Rubicon trail , but that was because I put 39.5 " tires on. Found out the hard way that about 35" tires are about the max that a Dana 44 can handle.

Will be heading down the first week in April , I will definitely check on Shell Island for you David .

Ken Cooke - 3-11-2019 at 08:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Perceburzr

Ran a Detroit Locker in the front of my CJ7 With a Dana 44 for years , never had a problem with axles . If he had locked the front I think he could have got through .Ran Rubicon, Fordice , Snake Lake . Just sayin .

The problem was the Jeep was high-centered. The tires were just rubbing the rocks below without gaining any traction. The winch cable is what got him out.

Perceburzr - 3-11-2019 at 09:01 PM

I get it ,but if you got em lock em.

Ken Cooke - 3-11-2019 at 09:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Perceburzr

I get it ,but if you got em lock em.

I told Victor the same. He said his rear axle was locked. All 4 tires were barely touching, so zero traction.

Ken Cooke - 3-11-2019 at 09:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

Depends on model.
TJs are weak. JKs are stronger. JLs are even stronger.
Upgrade to alloy axles on a TJ and you get the strongest of all.
Then there is the locking device. TJ Rubicons have a weak device front & rear. Later models are pretty good.
Rock crawling users find this all out the hard way.

Victor's RCV axles on his JK work pretty well. He was careful, but with all of the weight plus running massive 38" tires, he had to be very careful at all times. We were in some far removed areas to be foolish with the throttle, David. Just my take.

Ken Cooke - 3-22-2019 at 09:14 PM

No more Matomi photos..