BajaNomad

Mike's to El coyote

nandopedal - 4-1-2019 at 07:07 AM

FYI for anybody interested on those 14 miles: A few days ago we had a shootout, 3 jeeps jk, 35" 33" and stock 32" happy to report that it was doable for all three not a scratch!

David K - 4-1-2019 at 07:24 AM

Photos? :light::biggrin:

nandopedal - 4-1-2019 at 08:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Photos? :light::biggrin:





Hi David I only have a couple and do not care to learn"how to" on this site, I will send them to you.

advrider - 4-1-2019 at 08:39 AM

I haven't gone out the back way from Mikes in several years. Isn't that the road everyone was reporting had a gate now? I know there were several ways you could go so not sure what one is blocked?

ehall - 4-1-2019 at 09:01 AM

Friends just did it too. 3 jeeps made it. 1 jeep and 1 suv couldn't make it and had to take the crossover road.

nandopedal - 4-1-2019 at 09:11 AM

Quote: Originally posted by advrider  
I haven't gone out the back way from Mikes in several years. Isn't that the road everyone was reporting had a gate now? I know there were several ways you could go so not sure what one is blocked?





No gates as long as you do not turn right at intersections x2 (From Mikes to Coyote) , just follow the side by sides and motos tracks.

David K - 4-1-2019 at 12:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by nandopedal  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Photos? :light::biggrin:





Hi David I only have a couple and do not care to learn"how to" on this site, I will send them to you.

Ok, I will post them for you here.

Just FYI, a free, easy site is www.postimages.org and all you do for Nomad is change the size to 800 pixels or less by clicking on the drop-down arrow on the size setting. Once your images are on Postimages then use the IMG link (for forums).
Just paste the link here on Nomad with your text.

TMW - 4-1-2019 at 12:53 PM

Good to know the route is OK. We had planned to use it in Nov. if it is still open.

bajatrailrider - 4-2-2019 at 09:11 AM

The only gates are lower road closed. So where these short WB jeeps .Anybody been to Mikes the second way up from halfway up paved road past Melings?

ehall - 4-2-2019 at 09:24 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider  
The only gates are lower road closed. So where these short WB jeeps .Anybody been to Mikes the second way up from halfway up paved road past Melings?


All 3 are like my white one.

David K - 4-2-2019 at 09:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider  
The only gates are lower road closed. So where these short WB jeeps .Anybody been to Mikes the second way up from halfway up paved road past Melings?


The Rancho La Joya and Concepción (Dark Skies Inn) ranch road, Km. 67?

TMW - 4-2-2019 at 01:57 PM

The Dark Skies road had a locked steel gate at the turn off at KM67 when Mike and Pamala lived there.

David K - 4-2-2019 at 04:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
The Dark Skies road had a locked steel gate at the turn off at KM67 when Mike and Pamala lived there.


In October 2017:



[Edited on 10-27-2021 by David K]

bajatrailrider - 4-2-2019 at 07:02 PM

Ok ED all Jeeps LWB thank you. About locked gate La Joya it is open no gate to go to La Joya after that rancho is where 4x4 road starts that will take you to Mikes or Coyote.

ehall - 4-3-2019 at 04:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider  
Ok ED all Jeeps LWB thank you. About locked gate La Joya it is open no gate to go to La Joya after that rancho is where 4x4 road starts that will take you to Mikes or Coyote.


I think they said 2 1/2 hours to go 11 miles. Big hill climb the vehicles without lockers couldn't get up.

lockers needed?

John M - 4-3-2019 at 05:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by ehall  


I think they said 2 1/2 hours to go 11 miles. Big hill climb the vehicles without lockers couldn't get up.


Which report are you referring to Ehall? And do you know which direction that required lockers? Coyote to Mikes or Mikes to Coyote?

John M

bajatrailrider - 4-3-2019 at 09:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by ehall  
Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider  
Ok ED all Jeeps LWB thank you. About locked gate La Joya it is open no gate to go to La Joya after that rancho is where 4x4 road starts that will take you to Mikes or Coyote.


I think they said 2 1/2 hours to go 11 miles. Big hill climb the vehicles without lockers couldn't get up.
As of last year I remember one place riding my bike. That I don't think I small pickup could make. As no run and large dip going to Mikes From Coyote. I hope to get back up there soon will run it on my bike. Then report:bounce:

bajatrailrider - 4-3-2019 at 09:24 AM

I forgot on the La Joya run the only thing I have seen getting up. With 4 wheels are Razors. I think it would be good jeep run The big rains we had moved most of the rocks. Going that route once on top there is a 3 way intersection. Turn LT well traveled route dead end for anything 4 wheels bike only. Go RT back way in to Mikes Ed tried that route from Mikes on his Jeep. Best just past meadow stay in the middle not going hard LT or RT it will cut in to road going to Mikes . AT the T Rt to Mikes Lt to Coyote

John Harper - 4-3-2019 at 11:14 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider  
Go RT back way in to Mikes


Does that route go past Rancho Garate and back to Mike's along the creek? I'm probably camping out one night near RG next week. Hope the creek got a good flushing this season, look forward to C&R some wild trout.

John

[Edited on 4-3-2019 by John Harper]

AREA MAPS (some)

David K - 4-3-2019 at 01:05 PM

Received a u2u asking for maps to help visualize all those directions from Larry... Not sure if these will help, but here are some I have:


This shows 'Garet' upstream of Mike's. Dark Skies Inn (La Concepción) is where the road crosses the creek south of San Pedro (not where the name is on the map). That road continues south to the observatory road where the La Joya gate is.



Mileages from my 2005 trip.


AAA map from about 2007.


1978 AAA map, shows Concepción.

I have seen a topo/GPS map posted that has a more current view... If I can find it, I will try to post it. If anyone has better maps of this region, please add.

PaulW - 4-3-2019 at 02:46 PM

Here is a image of an older (3/2016) track. Old enough to show where the road was not passable, but with the go around.



Mike 2 CoyoteR75.jpg - 236kB

bajatrailrider - 4-3-2019 at 02:51 PM

Paul is that where big trees are in canyon?

PaulW - 4-3-2019 at 03:01 PM

The place marked "Rd Gone" was a huge washout. Back then Mike from Coyote posted several pictures. We took the suggestion and did not try the washout. Since then I have read that that section is repaired.
Many have driven the road these days, as big as a stock f150 crew cab.

bajatrailrider - 4-3-2019 at 03:04 PM

Thank you I would love to run it in my Nissan will pre run on moto first.

David K - 4-3-2019 at 03:18 PM

In October 2017, Mike at El Coyote (Michael Diogo) didn't think any stock 4x4 could get through. I got to between (on Paul's map) '17500' and 'Y' on a low range hill climb on a boulder when my rear drum brake came apart... So I couldn't get to the really bad part (according to Mr. Diogo). Here's a post I made in early 2018:

So, last October I tried... and almost immediately after leaving El Coyote for Mike's, the road was awful. Deep dips that almost wanted to grab my bumper and a 4-low boulder climb about 3.5 miles from El Coyote... after that my rear brake failed so I limped back to El Coyote... There, Michael Diogo said I hadn't even gotten to the "bad" part yet. Earlier he warned me that the road was almost too bad for motorcycles and he wasn't recommending any stock or near stock 4WDs go.

PaulW - 4-3-2019 at 05:19 PM

Ha - Those WPs on the image I posted came for others. Some were from Tom, but not the 17500??
BTW my son drove his F150 Crew thru without touching in summer 2018. No reports this winter of any difficulties from more than one trip.

GPS track of the route?

John M - 4-3-2019 at 05:35 PM

Paul, would you have the GPS of the route you posted or did it come from plotting it on GoogleEarth?

John M

PaulW - 4-3-2019 at 06:07 PM

John, Ck your email

bajatrailrider - 4-4-2019 at 08:25 AM

I will try to get up to Coyotes this Friday if they have room. May try route to Mikes on moto two up. If not will go on off road forest route below park entrance. It is a locked gate route one of the best up there. I have key to get in as friend has cabin back in there. This is the road built to carry power lines also water pipe going down to Margarita Rancho. Since big rains maybe washed out.

bajatrailrider - 4-7-2019 at 08:33 AM

I made it to El Coyote Friday morning. Rode with Mike that lives in back of Coyote. I rode single track two up First time for the lady. She was so scared on down hills she jumped off bike 5 times. After a hour she stayed put. Next day Saturday Mike told me you had better do route by yourself. He said you will not make it two up I took his advice glad I did. So as you leave Coyote few miles out you get to T Lt side the washed out way. We rode it and Walked every foot to see if we could. Find a way to drive a 4x4 past it. The steep climb is doable but to get to it no go as large boulders. Too much for anything but rock climber. So made U turn on bikes to go normal 4X4 route. The good part I think my Nissan would make it. Would it be fun on some of it.The rest is rock pounding. After I did the pole line run in 15 I had skid plates made. Front bumper to transfer case as some of the rock step climbs. Could easy take out your oil pan if your rig not lifted enough. I don't know what there called but some guys carry those . Ladder ramps I think those would be helpful to not damage oil pan on three places. Going up of down I could meet anyone doing that route at Coyotes. Would be adventure for sure .

TMW - 4-8-2019 at 11:43 AM

I think I did the section with the hill a few years ago but I went down the hill. I was in my Tacoma and at dinner the night before at Mikes I was talking with a man and wife that had rode a dirt bike thru there. He said it was the only place his wife got off and walked. When I asked if he thought I could make it going down the hill he said yes. As I got to the place the road crossing the arroyo had a drop off of about 5-6 feet on the hill side and less that two feet on the other side. I thought about it for a while looking at the boulders at the bottom of the hill. Finally I said what the heck and put it in 4x4 low and slowly went down the hill. At the bottom I went back and forth until I got around the boulders then up the short drop off.

I'm not sure I could make it up the hill then. It is pretty steep and at the top is a 90 degree turn onto the road. With front and rear lockers maybe. I didn't have a front locker then.

bajatrailrider - 4-8-2019 at 12:39 PM

Yes tmw that old way no more . New way going to Mike's over to rt of old way. The hill climbing part not bad. Problem is to get to it in canyon large boulders. The Moto way from top is only 12 in trail and rock one side to grab. Foot peg then 10 foot fall I rode past It. Mike was smart went in canyon over rocks easy on bikes. We also went the gated closed old route. Witch is very nice way . That would by pass most of the bad parts for a 4x4.

gorton - 4-14-2019 at 10:02 AM

My wife and I did Mike's to El Coyote this week in our stock 2017 F250 Powerstroke with dealer tires. A workout but super fun! Spent the weekend hiking in the San Pedro Martir, beautiful! Then a death defying trip back through Ensenada to get back to San Felipe. I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND Mike's to El Coyote for a memorable trip. Oh and the flowers are increadible this year!!

David K - 4-14-2019 at 12:44 PM

Welcome to Nomad, gorton!
Thanks for the report!

rich t - 4-14-2019 at 03:44 PM

4/8/2019 we left San Felipe, went thru the dry lake bed (Laguna Diablo) to Mikes, El Coyote, Meling, the old race course to the ranch with the grapes, took the trail to Santo Domingo and out to Vicente Guerro, the roads were all in good shape, we had one new JL, a 2013 jk, AND A 2006 lJ. Hardly had to use 4 wheel drive. We spent the night at the old Mill, was there 2 weeks ago the rooms were $37, they had a price increase to $47 this trip.

David K - 4-14-2019 at 03:58 PM

Using 4WD on dirt roads (along with deflating the tires some), particularly steep and rocky roads like south of Mike's, is being friendly to the road. In 2WD, the chances of spinning tires is greatly increased. This is what destroys road surfaces, right after rain. Unless you are worried about running out of gas, please consider keeping the transfer case engaged and be kind to Baja's dirt roads. Just a though and request for the 4x4 gang here.

rich t - 4-15-2019 at 07:43 AM

David, I have been 4 wheeling for many years, much of that route is very doable in 2 wheel drive , there was no spinning of tires, that might be the difference between a toyota and a Jeep.(LOL)

David K - 4-15-2019 at 08:33 AM

LOL...
Hmmm... well, when you have four wheel drive you should use it, it is a wonderful thing. The lubricating the front driveline is a good thing when in four-wheel drive, too.

I am sure you are a great four-wheeler, and I love that you go places I like to go, too!

"Tread Lightly" is Jeep term, I thought? My first four-wheel drive vehicle was a Jeep. I hated the unreliability of it as I liked exploring Baja without needing to bring others along in their rigs each time for help. Also, the cost to repair it was nuts, so I went Japanese for my next 4WD vehicles (Subaru and Toyota) and they have never left me stranded... 1977-1994 and 2000-2019. It was Tom Miller (The Baja Book author and W.O.N. writer) who turned me onto 4WD Subarus.

Tacomas have limited slip systems (since 2009) in 2WD and 4WD. Good tires, proper inflation, and driving experience all help, of course.

Ken Cooke - 4-15-2019 at 09:15 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
LOL...
"Tread Lightly" is Jeep term, I thought? My first four-wheel drive vehicle was a Jeep. I hated the unreliability of it as I liked exploring Baja without needing to bring others along in their rigs each time for help. Also, the cost to repair it was nuts, so I went Japanese for my next 4WD vehicles (Subaru and Toyota) and they have never left me stranded... 1977-1994 and 2000-2019. It was Tom Miller (The Baja Book author and W.O.N. writer) who turned me onto 4WD Subarus.

Tacomas have limited slip systems (since 2009) in 2WD and 4WD. Good tires, proper inflation, and driving experience all help, of course.


David,
You bring up this early 1970's Jeep experience as if it were yesterday. The Jeep vehicles have been reengineered many times over since your lemon was purchased. That said, my Dad (RIP) bought an early 80's Grand Wagoneer in the mid 80's, serviced it mostly himself, then took it to a Jeep shop here in Riverside where it was looked over, upgraded. We drove it multiple times back to Oklahoma and Tennessee without a hiccup! My Rubicon has plastic wire harness clips that dry rotted, but other than $6 zip ties and the requisite sensor failures after 180,000 miles, I'm getting my money's worth and then some.

If the Toyota touches perfection, why did your drum brake blow apart while on the trail near Mike's?? Did it have to do with the A-TRAC system overheating the part?

Nothing against the Toyota or it's brake-based A-Trac traction system, but there have been lone Toyota owners who bought into the hype you perpetuate, getting themselves into trouble, having to abandon their full size Land Cruisers on the trail because they likely thought the vehicle was reliable and not trouble prone due to wear cycle of parts just like any 30+ year old vehicle.

rich t - 4-15-2019 at 05:18 PM

David, As Ken pointed out it seems you are living in the dark ages, I do not know what kind of Jeep you had that needed to be put in 4 wheel drive to get lubricated, but that is not the way it works, I can understand that with your inferior approach and departure angle that you have to use 4 wheel more often, it also takes the load off of your independent front suspension that is very fragile, and I have seen how the toyotas spin the rear wheels because they are so light that you need 4 wheel just to get up the slightest grade,

PaulW - 4-15-2019 at 05:22 PM

Ken, Just ignore Davids comments. He gets his 4x4 info second or third hand or from the false stuff on the Internet.

Here i am in Moab and guess what? I have not seen a Toyota so far. No 4x4s even in town. The same comment applied to trails in Colorado.

David K - 4-15-2019 at 07:16 PM

Hey Paul, I am not being insulting. Why are Jeep owners so defensive?
My concern was preservation of roads and spinning tires on 2WD rigs is bad for the roads. I didn't blame anyone but only mentioned it is wise to be in 4WD on dirt roads.

I began four wheeling as soon as my dad let me. He had a Wagoneer from 1965 to 1971, then a Chevy Suburban 4WD.
My first Jeep was a new (1975.5) Cherokee Chief with QuadraTrac. In 1977 I sold the Jeep and bought a new Subaru 4WD wagon. You learn how to be skilled driving with 13" tires and no low range! I got it to Gonzaga on the oldest road in '79, the full Arroyo Matomí, and the bottomless sand of Shell Island with ease. I bought two more 4X4 Subarus over the next 10 years. The last one had low range.

I think Harald here is the Nomad 4WD expert, his website is www.4x4abc.com I have never claimed to be an expert, just a fan and user if 4WD with over 50 years of experience in 4WDs.

bajatrailrider - 4-16-2019 at 12:01 AM

It makes perfect sense David. Use 4x4 before you need it to roll past. Better then spinning 2wd then find out 4x4 won't get you out. My exp. Only 50 years but 4x4 my second love dirt bikes first. I'm going back to coyotes again tomorrow I'm told forest route. Not even passable on dirt bike will report.

John Harper - 4-16-2019 at 09:05 AM

I encountered a couple Mexicans when I walked up the road along the creek last week toward Rancho Garate. One guy (Antonio) had a clean shirt on, so maybe they were owners. The road was pretty hashed up with no recent signs of vehicle travel. I was quite surprised to see anyone up there, and I'm sure they wondered what some crazy old gringo with a flyrod was doing there as well. I decided not to camp at the rancho since it seemed possibly occupied and just camped near Mike's. Hot as hell in the day, near freezing at night.

John

Enrique2012 - 4-16-2019 at 10:19 AM

I find David's 2nd & 3rd hand information more useful and interesting than PaulW's personal accounts.

Just to keep things in perspective.

bajatrailrider - 4-19-2019 at 06:59 PM

I also feel David has good info and others here. As far as Toys not seen in tuff places. Then you never been dirt biking in baja. We have seen old ones in places they should not. Or anything with 4 wheels.

Ken Cooke - 4-20-2019 at 08:33 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  

My concern was preservation of roads and spinning tires on 2WD rigs is bad for the roads. I didn't blame anyone but only mentioned it is wise to be in 4WD on dirt roads.


David,

The new bypass that leads around to the Pole Line Road is full of steep climbs, go-arounds and more steep climbs. You will find that to get up many of these steep climbs that 4WD and on occasion, a locking differential is necessary to preserve the trail leading (eventually) to the White Tank. Although it falls to individual preference, 4WD becomes a constant necessity that helps preserve drivetrain, and tires. I think that most 4 wheelers are already on board with this idea. Just some vehicles may not have the differentials in place such as selectable lockers to keep tire spinning under control. Before I bought my Rubicon, my Ford Ranger had open differentials and 4.88 gears. On the shelf road behind Mike's, I slid very close to the edge of the cliff due to my running all terrain tires and not having selectable locking differentials. Live and learn.

Enrique2012 - 4-20-2019 at 12:57 PM

Really great info Ken. I appreciate you sharing that and opening my eyes a bit. Thanks!