Make Tacos Not War...FJ45 Wanderings in Mexico.
- Thread starter Hltoppr
- Start date
Hltoppr
El Gringo Spectacular!
Lake Huites to Batopilas...the back way!
The next morning we awoke early, eager to get under way, with a surprisingly good sleep in the reclined front seats.
On the wrong road, a bit of backtracking was in order. I didn't want to retrace my steps all the way back to Choix; so once again we relied on the most reliable method of Mexican navigation...stop and ask at homes or towns!
Donde esta la calle a Tubares? We get sent down a tight arroyo, and up a dense two track; the Troopy rolling side to side as the suspension flexes through the ruts. It's kinda the right direction...I think....Then, a wide, graded road comes into view! We're well on our way!
The one thing I remember about the first time I came through this route on a motorcycle was that I stopped counting the number of canyons I crossed at eleven. Now that I'm viewing the route from behind the wheel, instead of concentrating on the sand and gravel, it's immediately apparent as to the vastness of the Sierra Madre range. The road twists and climbs; wide enough for mining and logging trucks, but washboarded and rough enough to keep the speeds down to under 25mph; slowing progress.
Dark clouds begin to fill the skies to the North, heading in our direction. We continue to climb; light rain becomes light snow. I'm thinking ahead to the upcoming river crossing, the Rio Urique, and the tight mountain roads which could become impassable during a storm. The passenger side door has ceased to operate properly, it won't open, so Dave is forced to climb over the gearshifts and driver's seat to get out of the truck. We'll see if we can fix it in the next town.
After a couple of hours, the Tubares mission comes into sight, with its cemetary and cracked bells. It has always been one of my favorites.
Stopping at the Tubares community store, which always has Cokes, but seldom bottled water, we work and pry at the door, to no avail. Apparently the dust has taken a toll on the new (aftermarket) door latch mechanism...that'll teach me to buy aftermarket over OEM Toyota...
Nothing a Fanta and some vanilla wafers can't cure! The rain has stopped, but a cold wind continues, so we veer towards the next road on to Batopilas, and prepare for the much more rugged conditions ahead.
Luckily, the Rio Urique is only hub deep. The slick, softball sized rocks makes for an interesting motorcycle ride, but are no problemo in the Cruiser. We climb up the opposite side, and I immediately hear a loud, metal grinding crunch! I hit the brakes....no much there...the pedal goes straight to the floor...not good....
After a couple of pumps, I have enough brakes to stop the Troopy, and get out to check for any damage. Dave would have helped, but since his door is still stuck shut...he'll sit in the truck. Turns out the OME suspension is flexing really, really well, and I've proceeded to bend the inner front fender lip with the tires. I'll try to be a bit easier on it from here on out, and maybe extend the bumpstops when I get home. I figure the brake issue is because the drums are wet from the river; nothing much we can do about it here if it's not....
Winding our way through Cuarenta Casas and Rodeo, the road goes from rough to freshly graded. From Batopilas to Rodeo, the Cerro Colorado mine has caused the road to be in heavy use. While not making the grades any flatter, it has caused there to be much less silt and dust to contend with.
Heading over the canyons, and dropping down into Batopilas canyon, the brakes finally show problems. I'm guessing the brake booster has gone out, and while I still have brakes, it takes quite a bit of forethought to bring the heavy Cruiser to a stop. Problematic to say the least, so I drop the transfer case into four low and use the gearing, with the brakes as a last resort.
Finally, after six hours, the small town of Batopilas comes into view!
-H-
The next morning we awoke early, eager to get under way, with a surprisingly good sleep in the reclined front seats.
On the wrong road, a bit of backtracking was in order. I didn't want to retrace my steps all the way back to Choix; so once again we relied on the most reliable method of Mexican navigation...stop and ask at homes or towns!
Donde esta la calle a Tubares? We get sent down a tight arroyo, and up a dense two track; the Troopy rolling side to side as the suspension flexes through the ruts. It's kinda the right direction...I think....Then, a wide, graded road comes into view! We're well on our way!
The one thing I remember about the first time I came through this route on a motorcycle was that I stopped counting the number of canyons I crossed at eleven. Now that I'm viewing the route from behind the wheel, instead of concentrating on the sand and gravel, it's immediately apparent as to the vastness of the Sierra Madre range. The road twists and climbs; wide enough for mining and logging trucks, but washboarded and rough enough to keep the speeds down to under 25mph; slowing progress.
Dark clouds begin to fill the skies to the North, heading in our direction. We continue to climb; light rain becomes light snow. I'm thinking ahead to the upcoming river crossing, the Rio Urique, and the tight mountain roads which could become impassable during a storm. The passenger side door has ceased to operate properly, it won't open, so Dave is forced to climb over the gearshifts and driver's seat to get out of the truck. We'll see if we can fix it in the next town.
After a couple of hours, the Tubares mission comes into sight, with its cemetary and cracked bells. It has always been one of my favorites.
Stopping at the Tubares community store, which always has Cokes, but seldom bottled water, we work and pry at the door, to no avail. Apparently the dust has taken a toll on the new (aftermarket) door latch mechanism...that'll teach me to buy aftermarket over OEM Toyota...
Nothing a Fanta and some vanilla wafers can't cure! The rain has stopped, but a cold wind continues, so we veer towards the next road on to Batopilas, and prepare for the much more rugged conditions ahead.
Luckily, the Rio Urique is only hub deep. The slick, softball sized rocks makes for an interesting motorcycle ride, but are no problemo in the Cruiser. We climb up the opposite side, and I immediately hear a loud, metal grinding crunch! I hit the brakes....no much there...the pedal goes straight to the floor...not good....
After a couple of pumps, I have enough brakes to stop the Troopy, and get out to check for any damage. Dave would have helped, but since his door is still stuck shut...he'll sit in the truck. Turns out the OME suspension is flexing really, really well, and I've proceeded to bend the inner front fender lip with the tires. I'll try to be a bit easier on it from here on out, and maybe extend the bumpstops when I get home. I figure the brake issue is because the drums are wet from the river; nothing much we can do about it here if it's not....
Winding our way through Cuarenta Casas and Rodeo, the road goes from rough to freshly graded. From Batopilas to Rodeo, the Cerro Colorado mine has caused the road to be in heavy use. While not making the grades any flatter, it has caused there to be much less silt and dust to contend with.
Heading over the canyons, and dropping down into Batopilas canyon, the brakes finally show problems. I'm guessing the brake booster has gone out, and while I still have brakes, it takes quite a bit of forethought to bring the heavy Cruiser to a stop. Problematic to say the least, so I drop the transfer case into four low and use the gearing, with the brakes as a last resort.
Finally, after six hours, the small town of Batopilas comes into view!
-H-
Alaska Mike
ExPo Moderator/Eye Candy
Guys like you are my idols.
upcruiser
Perpetual Transient
Ok, so Scott's comment earlier on in the thread about cabin fever couldn't be further from the truth. I'm stuck indoors today as a blizzard is gripping the area. This thread has been a breath of fresh, warm air. Glad to see the Cruiser on its first outing and I CAN'T believe the mileage you are pulling in it. Congrats! I'm starting to think that not painting that rig and letting where its natural scars/patina is the way to go. Anyway, keep up the great posts!
Scott Brady
Founder
Andrew, your adventure stories are the best:1888fbbd:
Ah, and those tires have seen a bit of North America, huh?
Ah, and those tires have seen a bit of North America, huh?
Hltoppr
El Gringo Spectacular!
Up....I've got matching spray cans of paint on the way...she's getting window tint, some light rust repair, and a blended rattle can finish...I found that I really liked the "not new and shiny" look...it really attracted attention, but the good kind...and blended in as an old rig when necessary!
EW...I was joking with Dave about the tires....From the Arctic Circle to Copper Canyon! Seriously, I'm continually amazed at the performance of BFG tires...I've never....NEVER...had a flat with BFGs in thousands of miles of Baja, Mexico mainland, and all over the Southwest!
-H-
EW...I was joking with Dave about the tires....From the Arctic Circle to Copper Canyon! Seriously, I'm continually amazed at the performance of BFG tires...I've never....NEVER...had a flat with BFGs in thousands of miles of Baja, Mexico mainland, and all over the Southwest!
-H-
SOAZ
Tim and Kelsey get lost..
First, I am just loving this write up as I can tell everyone else is. Is there any way we can request that you never stop traveling?
Wow! Neat fact! We got to race from RP to Caborca once. The town was beautiful and the main square with the church was impressive. I want to make it back there.BajaTaco said:
Hltoppr
El Gringo Spectacular!
SOAZ said:
Well...I do make my final student loan payment next month! :costumed-smiley-007
I have some "family" oriented trips in the planning stages, which should be fun, given the 2yo "xfactor"....but the next mods to the Troopy should help...
...and...to tease you...Dave and I are kickin' around shipping the bikes to Cancun and doing some jungle tracks through the Yucatan.... :Astrologist:
-H-
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SOAZ
Tim and Kelsey get lost..
Congrats!! My girlfriend is working on creating her last student loan right now. The day it gets paid off is still only a dream. :drool:Hltoppr said:
I bet you could do some great southwest trips with the 2yo. Utah and AZ are just chock full of roads that need to be visited!
You're killing me with the talk of bikes! I just sold mine. I can't wait to have one again. Until then my "pedal" bike will be on the back of my truck wherever I go. :26_7_2:
Oh yah, I've NEVER had a flat with my BFG's ever. A set of muds, a set of at's and a few sets of commercial traction t/a's on our 1600 car and never a flat. That says something! I do love the coopers i have right now though.
Hltoppr
El Gringo Spectacular!
Batopilas Digs....
We roll into Batopilas mid afternoon, and I head towards my favorite digs:
I simply fell in love with this "hotel" the last time I was in Batopilas. Spotlessly clean, plenty of hot water, secure parking, stellar service, and inexpensive, at $50.00 per night...with two folks it's well worth it! A gentleman named Martin and his grandmother run the place....if you're in Batopilas, just ask for him....
There are two areas in the place, one, with six or so rooms surrounding an interior courtyard, Spanish colonial style, and a set of rooms, with the parking, across the street in a two story building.
I've always stayed at the "across the street" location, which is open and colorful, with plenty of seating areas to while away the day with a good book, or chat with friends. The parking area is gated, and provides an excellent place to change tires on a bike, or, in our case, try and get the passenger side door to open...turns out a bit of WD40 (yes...I know it's not really a lubricant!) worked a treat and Dave could now get out his side of the truck. I went ahead and cleaned all the other locks and latches, as well!
-note: This photo was from my previous bike trip....
The Troopy even still fit in the parking area!
A short post, I'll get more in later!
-H-
We roll into Batopilas mid afternoon, and I head towards my favorite digs:
I simply fell in love with this "hotel" the last time I was in Batopilas. Spotlessly clean, plenty of hot water, secure parking, stellar service, and inexpensive, at $50.00 per night...with two folks it's well worth it! A gentleman named Martin and his grandmother run the place....if you're in Batopilas, just ask for him....
There are two areas in the place, one, with six or so rooms surrounding an interior courtyard, Spanish colonial style, and a set of rooms, with the parking, across the street in a two story building.
I've always stayed at the "across the street" location, which is open and colorful, with plenty of seating areas to while away the day with a good book, or chat with friends. The parking area is gated, and provides an excellent place to change tires on a bike, or, in our case, try and get the passenger side door to open...turns out a bit of WD40 (yes...I know it's not really a lubricant!) worked a treat and Dave could now get out his side of the truck. I went ahead and cleaned all the other locks and latches, as well!
-note: This photo was from my previous bike trip....
The Troopy even still fit in the parking area!
A short post, I'll get more in later!
-H-