El Camino del Diablo trip

[AZDesertXJ]

Hi,

We're planning another trip on the Camino before it closes on Mar. 15th if anyone is interested.

El Camino del Diablo

February 7-8

Meet at Gila Bend Love's gas station at 8:00AM on Saturday February 7. From here, we will travel to Ajo, top off our gas tanks, and head on down the trail. The first day we will travel 70 miles to Tule Well. On day two, we'll travel 58 more miles, going north through Christmas Pass, and continuing west to the Copper Mountains. We’ll finish the trip on I-8 near Tacna.

This trip includes all that you’ve read about Camino in the AZ trail books, but you’ll also get to see a Flintstone house, a deserted desert “town” (with railroad tracks and bridge), and an Indian intaglio.

In order to travel on the Camino, you need to obtain a permit for the Barry Goldwater Range / Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge for every person in your party. Getting the permit is easy. You just have to sign the Hold Harmless agreement stating that you won't sue the US government if you decide to pick up that unexploded missile. A call to the refuge office in Ajo (520) 387-6483 can explain where to send the agreement, and what their turnaround time is via mail.

This site, http://southwest.fws.gov/refuges/arizona/cabeza.html, is a valuable resource.

Any four-wheel drive vehicle can complete this trail. Due to its remoteness though, you'll need to come prepared for any unexpected surprises.


Kent

[AZDesertXJ]

I just found out that I have to travel to New Jersey early Sunday morning. Unfortunately I won't be able to lead this trip. I'm sorry about this. I hope that we can do it some other time.

Kent

[ActualReverend]

On the Yahoo groups e-mail list we are looking at doing a run of this trail. Here is what I wrote on it:

So after reading about the trail, does someone want to set up a trip... how about a 3 day weekend in Jan or Feb (2007)? Jan 13-15th? (MLK weekend) What about sometime in Feb? I read it takes at least 2 days, so I figure 3 would give us enough time to be home before returning to work.. perhaps meet in Ajo on Fri morning, get done with trail Sat night or Sun morning, drive home (Flagstaff for me). Trail looks pretty tame, just says it requires a 4x4 and enough food, water, gas for two days.

Anyone done this trail and wants to lead it? Where do we get permits? Are they free?

Links:
http://bushducks.com/tripreps/camino.htm
http://travel.webshots.com/album/547797179UbaIIA?start=0
http://www.defenders.org/habitat/refuges/map/az.html
http://www.4x4now.com/pp001.htm
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/diablo.html

They even made a movie about it, but lets hope our expirence isnt like it: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408361/

--Bryan
bryan.loveless@gmail.com

[SavageSun4x4]

Help me out on this.
My 2007 shows Feb 7-8 as Wednesday/Thursday...where is my thinking wrong on this.

Anyhow I suggest the following dates:

Feb 17th-Saturday thru the Feb 19th Monday.

The 19th is a holiday, Presidents day and most city thru Federal offices are closed and many businesses.

[ActualReverend]

Help me out on this.
My 2007 shows Feb 7-8 as Wednesday/Thursday...where is my thinking wrong on this.

Anyhow I suggest the following dates:

Feb 17th-Saturday thru the Feb 19th Monday.

The 19th is a holiday, Presidents day and most city thru Federal offices are closed and many businesses.

It is because the first poster posted back in 2004, so his dates are off. I work for NAU and I dont show as having that day off, that is why I suggested MLK day in Jan. (jan 13-5th 207)

--bryan

[Wind_Danzer]

I'd be interested but the dates need to be solidifed so I can bid around them.

Has this trail been closed yet if the original poster posted ion '04?

[corwyyn]

Looks like the trail is still open: BLM page on El Camino del Diablo trail (http://www.blm.gov/az/ohv/camino_diablo.htm). The page was last modified on July 17, 2006 so the info is reasonably current. There is contact info for the MCAS Yuma Range Management Department and the G&F for permits. Think I may pencil this one in on my calendar...

[ActualReverend]

I'd be interested but the dates need to be solidifed so I can bid around them.

Has this trail been closed yet if the original poster posted ion '04?

I read it is only closed a few months out of the year, not permanently. Should be open in Jan and Feb.

--bryan

[ActualReverend]

looks like something might be getting going on the yahoo e-mail list about the run in January 2007...


(bump)

--Bryan

[Curly]

I am definitly interested, I'd like to attend. Can someone tell me how to get on the Yahoo message group? Thanks.
Curly

[ActualReverend]

I am definitly interested, I'd like to attend. Can someone tell me how to get on the Yahoo message group? Thanks.
Curly

go to http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/az_vjc/ and sign up for the e-mails.

--Bryan

[Curly]

Thanks for the link. I'm in.
Curly

[trailrunner58]

I ran this trail a couple of years ago. This is a very easy trail with some beautiful sites.

[jeeper05]

is this trail able to be run pulling a small off road tent trailer?sleepin on the ground is kinda ruff on us old folks

[Curly]

is this trail able to be run pulling a small off road tent trailer?sleepin on the ground is kinda ruff on us old folks

I've only been back in about 30 miles on the yuma end. The sand was quite soft and deep in many areas. I made it in my 2wd 59 Chevy pu, but I don't think a trailer would be much fun.
What about using an air mattress? That's what I plan on doing. Works really well. I did notice the ground got harder after I turned 40.

[Loudyman]

I ran this early last spring. It was a fun trip, but definately not difficult. The only place I needed four wheel drive was through the silt (was a blast, 'cause it just finished raining). I think with 4wd, you'd have absolutely no problems pulling an off road trailer (fyi - we had one jeep, one frontier, and one rav4 in our group).

The border patrol were all very nice....just annoying to have them drive past every 30 minutes all night long.

[mbuckner]

Hello .......

Has the date been finalized for sometime in February?

I would like to go and flexible with the dates ... just need to
dates so I can plan time off from work ........

Best regards,

Mike

[Wind_Danzer]

Been reading the azvjc group but I couldn't find a finalized date. It sure is getting more discussion there then here though.

I'm hopign a date is determined soon though as I will need to bid the week after next and will have to bid around it.

[Curly]

I just read that a date of March 3/4, 2007 has been suggested by Steel pony.
Seems like this trip is generating a lot of interest, should be fun.
Curly

[UNSTUCK]

Seems to me that there is enough interest on this site alone to make our own run and forget about the yahoo group. Or do we need them in order to make the run? I don't know much about the trail, but it sounds like one of those, "you live in AZ and you've never done that trial before?" kind of things. I would be up for it if someone who has done the trial before will step up and lead us. Pick a date, lets do it.

[Curly]

[QUOTE=UNSTUCK;133836]Seems to me that there is enough interest on this site alone to make our own run and forget about the yahoo group. Or do we need them in order to make the run? I don't know much about the trail, but it sounds like one of those, "you live in AZ and you've never done that trial before?" kind of things. I would be up for it if someone who has done the trial before will step up and lead us. Pick a date, lets do it.[/QUOT

So,now I'm confused. Isn't the Yahoo group an extension of this group? I just joined the yahoo group a few days ago, but I see familar names from this group.

Whatever the case, I want to run this trail, preferably during the cooler weather. I enjoy the winter sooooo much more than the summer, but then, who doesn't?:rolleyes: Heck, I'll run this trail with both groups!

I just reread the trail description in az back country adventures by Peter Massey, it seems pretty straight foward. I have found the trail descriptions to be pretty accurate, at least for trails in this area. Do we need a "veteran" to run this trail?

[Stomper]

The March dates seem to be better as far as weather and night time temps. I would definitely be up for a trip on those dates. If enough people are interested it could be divided into two trips.

[Heaney]

I am definitely interested in this trip.

[Wind_Danzer]

Stomper man, how have you been? Long time no chat. :)

So is the date for MArch finalized?

[Wind_Danzer]

Ok, a stand along yahoo group site has been made for those interested in this one:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/DevilsHighway/

[Curly]

to answer WD's question, the March date has not been finalized. We have established a limit of 25 vehicles, and currently 22 people have signed up. So....if you are interested, better sign up now.

Curly

[SavageSun4x4]

It sounds as if there MIGHT be enough for two different groups to go???? dunno

I have read about this trail in several books/mags and it always points to being a 3 day run???? again, dunno I guess if its a race two days is fine.

I would like to some dates reasonably final but MOST of all posted on our calender here on this board since it is where I go to search for runs...:)

[SteelPonyCowboy]

The link to the VJC Yahoo Trip is here :

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/DevilsHighway/?yguid=145253900

That is where all the details, emails, polls and planning are.

This is a Jeep ONLY event. We have limited numbers that can go, lets keep it Jeep for the benefit of members of the Jeep club. We are looking to get an article published in JP for this trip. Yeah I know page 43 of this months JP talks about a Samurai that broke down on a Jeep run. We dont have the time or luxury to have a Samurai breaking down for JP to make fun of. Its a long trip and there is no quick way out for parts or help.

The NWR restricts travel to licensed, street legal 4x4s only. NO trailers or towed stuff, no buggys, quads or bikes according to the people I talked to. The regulations changed two years ago due to concern of environmental damage. They kinda freaked out when I said we might have 25 vehicles, the exact words were "that is going to be hard on the trail". Dogs are allowed if they are leashed 100% of the time and if they crap, it needs to buried at least 6 inches deep (do they make the wildlife bury their crap?). It was restrict it as such or close it all together. The impression I get is that eventually it will be closed permanently in the future. The supervisor I talked to last said making to the Tule Well camping area from AJO on day one before dark would not be a problem. Day two takes just over 1/2 day to get back to civilization.

[jeeper05]

tryin to join through the yahoo gig under barbvillaviv if it dont work will whoever compiles the list of jeeps please add us Thanks Jeff and Viv

[Wind_Danzer]

Date of March 3rd and 4th has been set.

Be quick as the first 25 to send in their permit forms back to Mike (SteelPonyCowboy), the guy organizing it, will get in the trip.