El Camino del Diablo March, 2008

[Number 7]

We just got back from our 2nd Annual El Camino del Diablo run with the Jeep Expeditions Group. What a blast! We had a great group of people; a few we already knew, a few we met on the trip, but they’re all considered amigos now!

Friday night we met at the La Siesta Hotel & RV Resort in Ajo for a Pre-Run BBQ/Driver’s Meeting. Here we are huddled over the Dura-Flame Log after dinner:

http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/33430/2147076070100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2147076070100085335hVjaeV)

Saturday morning we met at the Darby Wells Road entrance to the CPNWR at 0900 and got ready for the trail:

http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/40209/2462466950100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2462466950100085335QqLMoC)

Our first stop was at Bates Well where we all got out to take a look around.

http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/42844/2791961160100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2791961160100085335prZWmR)

Here comes Mark:

http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/34454/2925299060100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2925299060100085335WWvoHv)

A few new sights at Bates Well were the alternative transportation modes available to the Border Patrol agents. There were some horses:

http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/39171/2379317290100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2379317290100085335KmjqWj)

And some dirt bikes:

http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/42244/2478120810100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2478120810100085335qLwJrs)


Here’s Allen preparing for Moon Dust as we were leaving Bates Well:

http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/29784/2397746470100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2397746470100085335SrAolD)

We were sufficiently impressed by this grove of saguaros so we stopped & took a little break:

http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/16405/2640087330100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2640087330100085335IDlkAC)

http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/42099/2304400290100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2304400290100085335uCkuIV)

We had lunch the first day at Papago Wells:

http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/31586/2609059040100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2609059040100085335cAIVET)

Continued
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[Number 7]

Our next stop was at O’Neil Grave, which we didn’t stop at last year. It’s right along side the road so apparently a lot of people stop and leave tokens such as coins, ammo, bottle caps, etc. Here we are seeing what all is there:

http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/33876/2593409610100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2593409610100085335qAbuCo)

http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/41082/2898542630100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2898542630100085335EyCZpQ)

Then we noticed a little lizard that lives at the gravesite; who we unanimously named Pedro:

http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/31562/2699834180100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2699834180100085335ydyYJr)

Crossing the Las Playas turned out to be a non-event, as the moon dust is not very deep yet since our last rains. There were lots of ways to stay off the main track where it was a little deeper. But even when we were on the main track, we were able to creep through it slow enough to keep it from swirling up around the Jeeps and piling up on them. Here’s Lance’s annual crossing:

http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/41535/2046669270100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2046669270100085335oPVmpx)

Our next stop was at the Pinacate Lava Flow where we got out and walked around for a while:

http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/29423/2466225260100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2466225260100085335XexTBZ)
When we were up on top of the lava field we were able to see over to a construction site at the border where they’re building the fence. Mexico is directly behind George and the dunes you see in this shot:

http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/26908/2821000860100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2821000860100085335LGaQfX)

We made it to Tule Well at about 1600, and set up camp. Then we all did a little bit of exploring before we settled down for the night:

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/42422/2659662930100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2659662930100085335bgAiPI)

http://inlinethumb56.webshots.com/34615/2672438480100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2672438480100085335jNUEQd)

The Casita was considerably cleaner inside this year. The log book had been recently replaced and the new one had a note in it saying that a group had been there for a clean up. They took out 3 bags full.

Continued
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[Number 7]

The next morning we left Tule Well at 0900 and headed up Christmas Pass. Here we are getting ready to leave:

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/33392/2557190010100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2557190010100085335BSCvBE)

http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/39326/2700530790100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2700530790100085335rsMbUm)

Wait! Where’s Allen? Allen? ALLEN!
Poor guy had accidentally folded up his tent with his Jeep keys in it, so he basically had to unpack everything to get them, and re-pack again!

http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/29917/2504418380100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2504418380100085335wwiMCH)

About half way up Christmas Pass we met up with another group who had camped at Christmas Pass Saturday night. We all stopped at a grave site Mark & John had discovered during their scouting trip in December.

http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/32076/2099706360100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2099706360100085335UkqGEz)

http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/20219/2134991690100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2134991690100085335LNcpYm)

From there we continued into Christmas Pass. We stopped off at an old homestead site where there’s really not much left except anything that was made of metal or glass. We suspect that there was a fire which destroyed the building. Here’s Steve doing his part to keep the area clean; he found this full size tire and rim and loaded it on his cargo rack and hauled it out.

http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/33938/2388746830100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2388746830100085335FSyNra)

At Christmas Pass we climbed around on the rocks and did a little geocaching and exploring:

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/34294/2556761220100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2556761220100085335QsEpvR)

http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/22247/2389553010100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2389553010100085335DAOuAj)

http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/39183/2852855230100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2852855230100085335jhNNua)

http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/36079/2132367780100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2132367780100085335YJsWGU)

Continued
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[Number 7]

From there we made our way back to Tule Well for lunch:

http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/26972/2672182500100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2672182500100085335fuHEnY)

Allen insisted I get this shot of him posing on this rock:

http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/42201/2673167790100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2673167790100085335YEBFNm)

After lunch we headed west for 7 Tanks. Here we are hiking to the lowest tank:

http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/21660/2847164280100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2847164280100085335cEcQPZ)

Here’s George looking at evidence of ancient Indians grinding corn & flour on this rock:

http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/22885/2421706280100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2421706280100085335kZQiOi)

Me & Allen at the 1st Tank:

http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/33868/2041093280100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2041093280100085335JmOVPS)

Checking out the petroglyphs:

http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/35689/2562451160100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2562451160100085335EVHPUr)

http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/28024/2455717760100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2455717760100085335srHlnC)

Jeep Shot:

http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/34693/2356416490100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2356416490100085335nDiWtN)

Then we drove over to a rock you could actually stand up underneath to get your picture taken:

http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/40654/2533354680100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2533354680100085335GxVMND)

Continued
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[Number 7]

From there we headed off onto the last leg of the trip; a trail that Mark & John discovered when they were there in December. We decided to name it the Tinajas Altas Loop. It takes you around the southern end of the range and back up the Fortuna side and then through a pass back onto the El Camino Diablo. Here are a few shots. Starting into the pass:

http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/14351/2446118040100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2446118040100085335wYLaIm)

Nearing the summit:

http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/40934/2772354510100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2772354510100085335kMiwKi)

At the summit:

http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/8746/2835471840100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2835471840100085335ZxQPZn)

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/42305/2120807960100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2120807960100085335ABbiMj)
On the road out to Wellton:

http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/27823/2138941450100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2138941450100085335RUCqcx)

http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/42229/2623292310100085335S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2623292310100085335vMvJpD)

That’s it! It was an awesome weekend with some awesome people. We had a blast. Thanks to all who participated; we hope to wheel with you guys again.

Finally, I’d like to share 3 things I learned this weekend:

1. How to pronounce Tinjas Altas
2. Where 7 Tanks is
3. Steve (Obi1Jeeper) is the best bun toaster on the planet.

D

[RokkCrawler]

As a point of information, this run was one of two on the Devils Highway done by Jeep Expeditions in commemoration of their 1st trip one year ago.

The 2nd run this past weekend was a 3 day event held by other members of Jeep Expeditions and started in Fortuna and ended in Ajo with a 3rd day exploring Area B of the Barry Goldwater Range.

New regulations by the CPNWR was the reason for two groups of 8+ Jeeps starting from opposite ends.

[Papa Mo]

Wonderful pic's..looks like a good time..thanks for sharing!

[jporvaz]

Very nice pics, as always.

[ob1jeeper]

Here's a couple of my pics from the Devil's Highway... Was a GREAT time with some fun luvin' fellow Jeepers...:)

Some of the colors of Area B
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/ob1jeeper/Jeeping/Camino%20Del%20Diablo/AreaB009.jpg

A not-so lucky adventure for someone...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/ob1jeeper/Jeeping/Camino%20Del%20Diablo/Day1260.jpg

One of many Petroglyphs...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/ob1jeeper/Jeeping/Camino%20Del%20Diablo/Day1208.jpg

Stand of Saguaro's
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/ob1jeeper/Jeeping/Camino%20Del%20Diablo/Day1054.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/ob1jeeper/Jeeping/Camino%20Del%20Diablo/Day1043.jpg

One VERY interesting Saguaro...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/ob1jeeper/Jeeping/Camino%20Del%20Diablo/AreaB030.jpg

[Number 7]

By all rights I should have mentioned in my trip write-up that this was a trip organized by JeepExpeditions.org which we are members of. So I've edited the first post, but wanted to be sure you all noticed that.

Sorry for the omission.

d :)

[GRUNT]

I was on this trip, obviously, and had a great time! Thanks for leading G & D...

[Transrock2]

I was on this trip, and had a great time with realy great people! Thanks G & D for leading our group...

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/17648/2611147320102781502S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2611147320102781502QAKjEG)

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/25902/2651650950102781502S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2651650950102781502FhFNZd)

http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/9713/2808562370102781502S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2808562370102781502VsuQnZ)

http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/6166/2205584060102781502S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2205584060102781502SDOwpq)

[jim0352]

Great pics and write up. Looks like it was a lot of fun :D

[Hardline]

Great pictures, Diane and looks like it was a very interesting trip.