BajaNomad

DATE TBA- Pole Line Road 20 year Anniversary run

Ken Cooke - 5-5-2024 at 09:32 AM

Yesterday, over brunch at Fidel's Little Mexico Restaurant in Solana Beach north of San Diego, I met with the Baja Pole Line Planning committe and we decided on a date for this years Baja Pole Line Run.

November 23rd to 25th, 2024

I was first introduced to the Pole Line Road in December 2004 by Neal and Marian Johns. This was the only run that Neal Johns (RIP) attended with me, and he shared his trail notes and maps for my future trips on this area. I last ventured into this area in February 2019 and had a wonderful time.

Our communications will operate over CB radio, FRS, Ham and Race frequencies.

Gasoline ⛽️ is available in Progreso and enough needs to be carried to avoid low fuel situations.

A spare tire is mandatory as are tools, spare parts for your vehicle and plenty of water.

4WD is mandatory for your vehicle and it must be in reliable operating order.

Send me a personal message or respond to this thread for more info.

[Edited on 9-15-2024 by Ken Cooke]

David K - 5-5-2024 at 10:27 AM

Great news, Ken! :bounce:

The 2015 Run was epic...

so exciting to see history still in place from 1942...
https://vivabaja.com/pole-line-road-2015/



and meet fellow Nomads and four-wheelers...




My Baja Bound article with more photos and road data (2015): https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajatravel/pole_lin...

[Edited on 5-5-2024 by David K]

renayjohnson - 5-5-2024 at 03:53 PM

I'll let John know.

Ken Cooke - 5-6-2024 at 11:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by renayjohnson  
I'll let John know.

Thanks Renay! Its really cool that he's actually flying out for this run.

Checking in

Ken Cooke - 7-29-2024 at 10:36 AM

Approximately 5-6 vehicles with drivers confirmed at this time.

AKgringo - 7-29-2024 at 11:19 AM

I can't commit at this time, but I am strongly leaning toward preparing for that run. Both of my possible choices are 4x4, and have seen some pretty challenging runs in Baja, but they are pretty stock rigs with oversize tires and only minor upgrades to the suspension.

What works in my favor is that off-road is almost a daily experience for me.

Ken Cooke - 7-29-2024 at 09:57 PM

I ask that anyone sincerely interested to send me a DM with their contact information. I WILL NOT publish routes or itineraries in this thread to discourage tag-alongs from attempting to join us.

David K - 7-31-2024 at 03:31 PM

I hope you have a good time and you will share photos in a post-run trip report

I enjoyed the 2015 trip to the World War II road. Met many new amigos like Harald and Larry whom I still message with.

[Edited on 8-1-2024 by David K]

Ken Cooke - 7-31-2024 at 04:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
I hope you have a good time and you will share photos in a post-run trip report

I enjoyed the 2015 trip to the World War Ii road. Met many new amigos like Harald and Larry whom I still message with.


It was a fun trip David.

bajatrailrider - 8-8-2024 at 11:06 AM

Yes my first trip w you guys great time. Its been long enough I forgot the route may join again

David K - 8-8-2024 at 12:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider  
Yes my first trip w you guys great time. Its been long enough I forgot the route may join again


See the route maps:
https://vivabaja.com/pole-line-road-2015/







[Edited on 8-9-2024 by David K]

thebajarunner - 8-8-2024 at 05:11 PM

Ken, great to see you posting again, miss you man....

Can't clear my calendar for those dates, but save me the t shirt
Still got a collection I wear on extra grubby days...

Oh, and let me know when you relax the "4 x 4 only " rules
I raced all the Baja races for 12 years with a 2 wheel drive F 150 (with trophies and badges to prove it, so I cannot relate to you 4 x folks.

PaulW - 8-9-2024 at 09:39 AM

Ken’s choice is 4x4. I understand his desires. Traction is needed in several places where using a strap would be an issue and a long wait would be needed to get a stuck rig moving.
My 2023 trip one rig had to be winched up a bad traction place and he had 4x4.
That place is gone now due to terrain change replaced further along with a new steep place.
Ken’s trip for 2024 will be more difficult than previous years due to the hurricane in summer of 2023. Tire size is probably more important than 4x4.
My 2015 trip had several 2wd rigs and they did just fine with their big tires. Success is going fast with 2wd.

Ken Cooke - 8-17-2024 at 08:46 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Ken’s choice is 4x4. I understand his desires. Traction is needed in several places where using a strap would be an issue and a long wait would be needed to get a stuck rig moving.
My 2023 trip one rig had to be winched up a bad traction place and he had 4x4.
That place is gone now due to terrain change replaced further along with a new steep place.
Ken’s trip for 2024 will be more difficult than previous years due to the hurricane in summer of 2023. Tire size is probably more important than 4x4.
My 2015 trip had several 2wd rigs and they did just fine with their big tires. Success is going fast with 2wd.



For this trip, I will make a few updates to the long arm suspension along with better, adjustable shock absorbers. I am still running the same 35" Falken AT3W tires which have done a good job since 2018.

baja-chris - 8-18-2024 at 11:11 AM

I'd like to join you guys on this trip if you have room for another Jeep.
Chris Wilson

Bad news

Ken Cooke - 9-14-2024 at 09:40 PM

Hi Pole Line crew,

I have some bad news to share. I was involved in a bad situation at work last month resulting in a concussion and broken nose. My nose is healing fine and I just completed my course of antibiotics, but my vertigo has given way to a persisting dizziness that won't allow me to drive at all. I have driven since I was 15, so this has been the hardest depending on my wife as my lifeline while she helps care for my Mother.

I spoke with Renay and I think that it would be prudent to wait until February 2025 so that I can have time for my MRI and Neurological sessions to address my memory problems, dizzines, occasional vertigo, lethargy and overall weakness. I am literally disabled now and it sucks.

Thanks for understanding everyone 🙏🏿

Ken

Ken Cooke - 9-14-2024 at 09:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by baja-chris  
I'd like to join you guys on this trip if you have room for another Jeep.
Chris Wilson


Hi Chris - I am sorry to inform you, but I'm now disabled and desperately trying to recover from a (mild) traumatic brain injury. My Doctor told me that I am at the mercy of my injury with no clear timeline to work with. I am unable to drive, unable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle - just like when I was 14 yrs old. I will let you know if anything changes, but my recovery may take weeks or months at this point.

Ken Cooke - 9-14-2024 at 09:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Ken’s choice is 4x4. I understand his desires. Traction is needed in several places where using a strap would be an issue and a long wait would be needed to get a stuck rig moving.
My 2023 trip one rig had to be winched up a bad traction place and he had 4x4.
That place is gone now due to terrain change replaced further along with a new steep place.
Ken’s trip for 2024 will be more difficult than previous years due to the hurricane in summer of 2023. Tire size is probably more important than 4x4.
My 2015 trip had several 2wd rigs and they did just fine with their big tires. Success is going fast with 2wd.



Paul,

My brain no worky and I'm disabled now. Life happens in the blink of an eye, unfortunately. Maybe I will be up for this trip in February 2025. But, I can't make concrete plans due to the nature of my disability. :no:

AKgringo - 9-15-2024 at 07:47 AM

Shocking news Ken, I hope your recovery is rapid, and complete! For what it is worth, I suffered a brain injury in 2008 that caused me double vision and balance issues. It took about six months to recover, and I still have some minor deficiencies, but that could also be age related.

I was looking forward to my first "Pole Line Run", but will now look forward to 2025. Take care, Gary.

Ken Cooke - 9-15-2024 at 08:14 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Shocking news Ken, I hope your recovery is rapid, and complete! For what it is worth, I suffered a brain injury in 2008 that caused me double vision and balance issues. It took about six months to recover, and I still have some minor deficiencies, but that could also be age related.

I was looking forward to my first "Pole Line Run", but will now look forward to 2025. Take care, Gary.


Six months was quite a long time!

AKgringo - 9-15-2024 at 08:39 AM

The recovery was progressive, with the majority of it happening in a couple of weeks. I had to wear an eye patch for a while, switching from one eye to the other until my brain could resume coordinating them.

PaulW - 9-15-2024 at 09:09 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Ken Cooke  

My brain no worky and I'm disabled now. Life happens in the blink of an eye, unfortunately. Maybe I will be up for this trip in February 2025. But, I can't make concrete plans due to the nature of my disability. :no:

=== =
Ken, Sorry about your accident. Get well soon.
Keep in touch when you are better.
Like every year I plan on at least one PLR run between November and April regardless. You will always be invited.

PaulW - 9-15-2024 at 09:25 AM

I just got caught up on this thread.
I need to mention that the old maps that David posted are great for the historical overview and if followed now days you will get lost.
New access paths are now possible. The actual PLR difficulty has increased due to recent hurricanes.

Ken Cooke - 9-15-2024 at 10:03 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Quote: Originally posted by Ken Cooke  

My brain no worky and I'm disabled now. Life happens in the blink of an eye, unfortunately. Maybe I will be up for this trip in February 2025. But, I can't make concrete plans due to the nature of my disability. :no:

=== =
Ken, Sorry about your accident. Get well soon.
Keep in touch when you are better.
Like every year I plan on at least one PLR run between November and April regardless. You will always be invited.



=== =
I will let you know once I'm all back to normal..

David K - 9-15-2024 at 11:14 AM

So sorry for your health conditions Ken 😢
You had a challenging job but I am sure you will be strong again!

bajatrailrider - 9-16-2024 at 07:30 AM

Best of luck Ken and speedy recovery .

Ken Cooke - 9-28-2024 at 09:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider  
Best of luck Ken and speedy recovery .


Muchas gracias Larry

JZ - 9-29-2024 at 08:48 AM

What spare parts are you recommending people to bring?

Ken Cooke - 9-29-2024 at 02:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
What spare parts are you recommending people to bring?


Run is postponed ⚠️

JZ - 9-29-2024 at 03:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Ken Cooke  
Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
What spare parts are you recommending people to bring?


Run is postponed ⚠️


Ok, hopefully it gets back on track for a later date. Still curious about the question.

David K - 9-29-2024 at 04:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Quote: Originally posted by Ken Cooke  
Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
What spare parts are you recommending people to bring?


Run is postponed ⚠️


Ok, hopefully it gets back on track for a later date. Still curious about the question.


I think that depends on what vehicle brand is being driven. On our 2015 trip with Jeeps, Tacomas, a Nissan, and two Mercedes G-Wagons all doing well, it was the one Ford, a Bronco, that had a failure and had to be towed nearly half of the journey. An aftermarket coil was to blame, as I recall.

See the trip album: https://vivabaja.com/pole-line-road-2015/

See the Baja Bound article: https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajatravel/pole_lin...

PaulW - 9-29-2024 at 04:27 PM

Spare parts? Don't come along if you need spare parts. Your rig should be proven to be reliable.

Most common problem is flat tires. Most of us carry a flat tire kit, Compressor plug kit, etc.
Major break downs are resolved with a friend that brings a flat bed trailer.
Sometimes one of the guys will use his welder.
Sometimes a recovery strap could be needed.

JZ - 9-29-2024 at 04:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Spare parts? Don't come along if you need spare parts. Your rig should be proven to be reliable.

Most common problem is flat tires. Most of us carry a flat tire kit, Compressor plug kit, etc.
Major break downs are resolved with a friend that brings a flat bed trailer.
Sometimes one of the guys will use his welder.
Sometimes a recovery strap could be needed.


Yeah, I've only carried stuff for the tires and to get unstuck. Plus tools.

Ken Cooke - 9-29-2024 at 11:41 PM

A spare tire, air compressor, tire repair kit, tools, spare nuts/bolts, radiator hose - typically, parts dont fail on this trail, although control arm mounts have failed along this trail.

baja-chris - 9-30-2024 at 05:07 PM

Ken, just now caught up on this thread and sad to hear the bad news. Hoping for a speedy and full recovery. Take care.

Ken Cooke - 10-1-2024 at 09:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by baja-chris  
Ken, just now caught up on this thread and sad to hear the bad news. Hoping for a speedy and full recovery. Take care.


Thanks Baja Chris!

Ken Cooke - 10-2-2024 at 09:32 AM

Quote: Originally posted by baja-chris  
Ken, just now caught up on this thread and sad to hear the bad news. Hoping for a speedy and full recovery. Take care.


Thanks Baja Chris!

I carry spares....

AKgringo - 10-5-2024 at 10:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Ken Cooke  
A spare tire, air compressor, tire repair kit, tools, spare nuts/bolts, radiator hose - typically, parts dont fail on this trail, although control arm mounts have failed along this trail.


I carry a spare air, and oil filter and at least a quart of motor oil. Of course I have the usual emergency stuff, like duct tape, wire and tire plugs, but if something major is going to break I can't carry enough to prepare for all the possibilities that could occur.

On one run down a section of the Baja 1K course, I plugged an air filter with silt. I put the spare on, but wasn't sure if I could find another replacement if needed, so I shook and banged as much silt as possible out of the dirty one, then hand washed and rinsed it until I could see light though it.

Not an ideal solution, but better than none, or a plugged up air intake!

Ken Cooke - 10-6-2024 at 08:05 PM

Spares are always a good idea