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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
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In Ken's 6th photo, is there any room to the left of the Jeep?
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8942
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Its Pole Line Road time
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BAJACAT
So Ken are up to do this ... one more time |
I want to go next November or December.
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8942
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Its Pole Line Road time
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| Quote: | Originally posted by edm1
In Ken's 6th photo, is there any room to the left of the Jeep? |
Yes, there is room to the left - about 10". To the right, there is about 1 foot. Depending on how your van handle's camber will determine its
ability on this trail. I have seen H2 Hummers, Land Rovers w/street-baised tires, an H3 - all make it out successfully - a YJ blew its drivetrain and
was being dragged out by a Toyota Pickup, and they made it out. Lockers are an option, but are not a bad idea if they are available. My Rubicon
makes it a walk in the park.
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Steve&Debby
Nomad
Posts: 335
Registered: 12-18-2007
Location: Colusa,California/ Percebu
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Like Ken says, locked front and rear( rubicons are locked front and rear) and this trail is a piece of cake.I think with some good guideing the van
could make it with no problem,I think he said he put a locker in the front. Hope I can make it if the trip is put together.
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8942
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Its Pole Line Road time
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Approach angles and turning radius are probably more important than having a front locker installed. Plus, are those Mud-Terrain tires you're
running? The muddy swamp ate my All-Terrains for lunch, and nearly finished off my TrXus MT's when I nearly flopped on my side, and unable to engage
4lo due to being over confident on my way out last year. My AirRaid Intake was inches from sucking in the stinky swamp water and that swamp is 14
hours south of the USA/Mexico border, btw.
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BAJACAT
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2902
Registered: 11-21-2005
Location: NATIONAL CITY, CA
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YOU R SCARING ME kEN, just when i was making my mind in going if this trip happens by the next presidents day 2010...
BAJA IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE, FUN,DANGEROUS,INCREDIBLE, REMOTE, EXOTIC..JUST GO AND HAVE FUN.....
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: In love!
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The water in the swamp is usually not as deep as Ken found it.
Lockers: The first time I was there, we were in a Toyota PU with a shell but without lockers. I would not advise it without a rear locker.
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8942
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Its Pole Line Road time
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Neal Johns
The water in the swamp is usually not as deep as Ken found it.
Lockers: The first time I was there, we were in a Toyota PU with a shell but without lockers. I would not advise it without a rear locker.
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This photo was taken right after nearly flopping my Rubicon into the swamp. The water level was just below the rear turn indicator light. Driver error contributed greatly to this situation. I was in 2WD and could
not shift into 4WD because the clutch was under water (due to rain storms flooding the swamp).
This crazy guy tried winching himself to the pools!   Good luck! He plans on going there the next time he drives to Mission Impossible.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64831
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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For the newbies: Engage 4WD at Rancho Santa Ynez and keep in in 4WD for the duration. Use low range for the steep grades (close to 25% of the 14.5
mile road is going up or down steep grades).
The first place where you might need 4WD is the sandy arroyo crossing 1/2 mile into the drive, and the first place where you WILL need 4WD is the deep
gully crossing 1.8 miles from the ranch. After the gully, you have about a 7 mile drive that is not steep, but slow because of the rocky surface... if
you just gotta, you could take it out of 4WD for that part.
It is a lot of fun, and quite a change from most Baja dirt roads today that are graded and best driven fast... This one is made for slow driven Jeeps
(CJs and Wrangler Rubicons), Tacoma TRD Trucks, and others with at least 9" of min. ground clearance for minimal damage.
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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
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"The water level was just below the rear turn indicator light."
I'll definitely turn around if the water level is above 28 inches (my RV floor is at 30 inches) :-) And having a 146-inch WB, I don't have the turning
radius . . . I think I need a long-travel airbag at the front, and another set of air-bag extensions at the rear - but they would take away the
challenge won't they?
[Edited on 12-8-2009 by edm1]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64831
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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It was wet in 1999 and 2003, dry in 2007... all trips in April or May. The wet was not any prioblem for my stock Tacoma or earlier when I was on a
quad.
Ken has a way of getting his Jeep in awkward positions sometimes!
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BAJACAT
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2902
Registered: 11-21-2005
Location: NATIONAL CITY, CA
Member Is Offline
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So is this trip is going to happen or what!, please somebody take over and run a poll to see who wants to do it. at least will know if a full size
vehicle is not up to the challenge...
BAJA IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE, FUN,DANGEROUS,INCREDIBLE, REMOTE, EXOTIC..JUST GO AND HAVE FUN.....
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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I'm in. Bajacat you keep all the wannabes, maybes and well-ifs in line. This is your ball game and we will follow.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64831
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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That's the spirit TW!
If I have jobs, and can take the time... it will be a great 'break-in' for the new Tacoma!
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BajaRoadrunner
Junior Nomad
Posts: 59
Registered: 6-15-2009
Member Is Offline
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Please post the details of the trip. Date, how many days, estimated departure and arrival times...
That way some of us can confirm or chicken out.
It's most likely that my wife and I will go, also a friend of mine wants to celebrate his birthday there so it would be 2 not full size vehicles going
down the widowmaker.
Just wish it was a little warmer time like May; anyway, I'll take my wetsuit 
[Edited on 12-8-2009 by BajaRoadrunner]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64831
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Tijuana to Rancho Santa Ynez: 300 miles/ 7 hours
Rancho Santa Ynez to Mision Santa Maria: 14.5 miles/ 3 hours
Previous trips we either camped at San Quintin or stayed at El Rosario and went on to the mission the next day. If you don't mind night driving in
Tijuana/ Ensenada... or a LONG day driving/ four wheeling: then cross the border by 5 am or sooner and get to the mission by 3 pm so you have time to
set up camp (it gets dark early in the winter).
You can camp at Santa Ynez or use their bunk house... or stay at the Desert Inn or other place in Cataviņa (1.5 miles away) if you arrive at Santa
Ynez too worn out for the really tough mission road that day.
Stay at least one full day at the mission or in the mission valley to enjoy some of the Baja magic that is there... Drive out, and on home or
elsewhere in Baja, the following day.
Longer stays allow you to explore... hike some of the El Camino Real or Indian Trail towards Gonzaga Bay, discover Indian sleeping circles or lost
Spanish gold! see http://vivabaja.com/msm
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
Member Is Offline
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Well, it sure is tempting me. Will have to see a little closer to the time, but it's real enticing.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64831
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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That advancing pavement south of Puertecitos makes the decision even easier for you San Felipe Nomads, huh?
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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Presidents day is Monday February 15th. I don't care what day we go in on. If we want to meet at Rancho Santa Ynez on Sunday that's OK, I'll take
Tuesday off as an extra day. If we want to meet on Saturday I'll take Friday off for travel. I have a little longer to go but it makes no difference
which day to meet. I usually add an extra day or two to the holiday weekends anyway.
My sleeping bag is warm, my ice chest will be full and I'll bring the pickled tongue and frog legs so everyone will have a snack.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64831
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Oh TW... You are the PARTY ANIMAL!
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