El Camino Del Diablo: (2/23-26/2006)

[Scott Brady]

NOTE: CLOSED PLANNING THREAD. VIEW TRIP REPORT HERE


I consider this more of "Expedition Lite", but a true adventure none the less. This is as remote as you can get in the 48 states, and the total trail is over 150 miles.

I have driven this trail twice, but both times were a little rushed, so I want to take my time and explore a bit.

Thursday Night: Motel in Yuma, dinner with the group.

Friday: Leave for Tinajas Altas, drive Cipriano Pass, and we will camp in proximity of the Tinajas Altas Mountains

Saturday: Drive along the Cabeza Prieta Mountains and have lunch at Tule Well. From there we will cross the Pinacate Lava Flow and camp near Papago Well

Sunday: Up early, and drive into the Organ Pipe National Monument, stopping at Bates well for lunch. On the road by 2:00 in Ajo.

For more info on the trek:

http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2002/ECDD_2002/index.html
http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2003/ECDD_2003/index.html

Attendees: This trip is closed

1. Scott: ARB 4Runner with Adventure Trailer
2. Al: Tacoma
3. Brian: Discovery
4. Vince: Tacoma
5. Jonathan and Roseann: Tacoma
6. Mark: 06 Frontier
7. Dude: Tacoma
8. Uwe: 4Runner
9. Ed: FJ40 with Adventure Trailer
10. Chris: Tacoma

 

[Scott Brady]

TRIP DETAILS:

Thursday Night, Feb 23rd:

Meet in Yuma. I will be driving from So. Cal., and the great thing is that my dad will be along. It will be the first trip I have done with my father, so it is pretty exciting.

I will be arriving around 5:00 PM, and will be checking into the:
Fairfield Inn Yuma
1801 S. Sunridge Dr.
Yuma, AZ 85365
(928) 345-1800

For some reason, there is a run on rooms in Yuma that night, so rates are a little high.

We can do an informal group dinner at 7:00 pm at:
Bella Vista Italian
2755 S 4th Avenue
Yuma, AZ 85364
520.344.3989

Thursday evening alternate group: Chris (BajaTaco) will be meeting up with several people from Arizona at the I-8/Wellton exit #30 on the south side of the interstate at 5:30 PM MST (AZ time). After meeting, we will head in a west/sw direction and find a suitable place to bivouac for the evening. Chris will be monitoring the CB and 2M radios until all scheduled parties arrive at camp. The camp group will depart no later than 9:30 a.m. MST on Friday, so we can meet up with the other group at exit #14 (Fortuna Mine Rd.) at 10:30 am. It is important to note that anyone who decides to camp here will probably want to have their CDD permit in hand. Otherwise you will need to leave early on Friday morning, to allow time to get into Yuma and visit the military office to obtain a permit.

Friday Morning:

8:30 am SHARP, we will leave the Fairfield Inn Parking Lot and travel to the Marine Base to allow those who have not obtained a permit to get theirs. The office opens at 9:00 am. Their number is 928 269 7150.

Range Permits, 3980 Ave 3 East, Yuma, AZ 85365

Meet at 10:30 am at exit 14 off of I8

From the exit, we will drive the Fortuna Mine Trail and link back up with the Tinajas Altas Pass. A short detour to Cipriano is also scheduled and the final drive through the Tinajas Altas and on to our first camp near the tanks.

Saturday:

Leave at 9:30, which will allow great images from the rising sun and some morning exploration of the Tinajas. Make way to Tule well and the Pinacate Lava Flow. We will camp at or near Papago Well.

Sunday: Wake early to take advantage of the light, and continue through Cholla Pass and into the Organ Pipe NM. Stop at Bates well. Road conditions improve after Bates Well, and we will make good time into Ajo. I expect we will arrive around 1:00pm.

Remember all times are AZ

 

[Scott Brady]

Additional Trip Information:

Critical Items:
CB Radio
Front and Rear Tow Points
Tow Strap
Minimum of 5 gallons of water
5 LT rated tires of equal size
Jack and lug wrench
Inspect all belts and hoses prior to the trip, replace if necessary

Policy on Illegals:
You can stop and offer food or water, never take an illegal in your vehicle. It is illegal to transport.

This trail is not difficult, but will bring out the weak points in your truck. Hoses, belts, water pumps, transmission temp (deep sand) and suspension components due to weight.

 

[Scott Brady]

Radio Frequencies:

CB: 7

2M: 146.460

 

[articulate]

Damn Saguaros won't leave my daydreams alone.....

That's a coincidence. Damn labors of the middle-class won't leave my saguaro daydreams alone. :archaeolo

I opened the link and Jack Dykinga is one of the photographers. That man can shoot.

I think Chuck Bowen (Dykinga's companion on the expedition) is a damned clever writer with his propensity for the witty and wistful in the same moment. Bastards. :bowdown:

 

[flyingwil]

I want to be in the line up if a slot opens up! Sounds and looks like a lot of fun!

 

[awalter]

I would really like to take an El Camino del Diablo and Mojave Road combo SW trip sometime, perhaps with Joshua Tree or Death Valley as the final destination. Damn Saguaros won't leave my daydreams alone.....[/QUOTE]


KC,
You've listed some of my favorite spots on this earth. Whenever you get the time to get back down to the SW, we can put a nice trip together for you. :jump:

Al

 

[Desertdude]

Pasquale -

If the owner looks like this guy, don't eat there. He'll burn your eyes out with a hot soldering iron.

Joe Dirt! Joe Dirt!
------------------------

Saguaros are the reason I came out to the SW

 

[Scott Brady]

The attendee list is updated.

This trip is going to be a BLAST!

 

[Scott Brady]

I will be going to the AZPLIC located in downtown Phoenix next Friday mid-morning.

If anyone wants to meet up for breakfast and then head over there, let me know.

And if anyone is able to play hookie from work, we can head over to the Sand Expo and Truck Expo at the Arizona State fairgrounds. It was pretty cool last year...

 

[Ted]

Hey Scott,

Let me know if you get a cancellation. I have been wanting to do this trip for some time. I may even have my Series IIA ready by then.

Cheers,

Ted

 

[Scott Brady]

I may even have my Series IIA ready by then.

Now that Ted, would be very cool, and a ton of fun to see on the trail :jumping:

 

[DesertRose]

Scott,

Looking forward to the trip!

Are we getting our permits individually or as a group?

Been a while since we've done it, and I haven't gone in from that end without stopping first at HQ in Ajo.

Roseann

 

[Ted]

Now that Ted, would be very cool, and a ton of fun to see on the trail :jumping:

I hope you're right Scott - I am doing everything I can to keep it looking like the classic 40 yr old LR it is. But with a new V8, NV4500 5 speed, Disc Brake conversion and a few other little gimmicks, it should wheel pretty well.

Anyway, the Disco's ready even if the Series isn't if you get some room on this trip.

cheers,

Ted

 

[Ted]

I would really like to take an El Camino del Diablo and Mojave Road combo SW trip sometime, perhaps with Joshua Tree or Death Valley as the final destination. Damn Saguaros won't leave my daydreams alone.....

That sounds like a fantastic trip.

Cheers,

Ted