this coming weekend (feb 17-18), I am hoping to go 4-wheeling after FUD 200 race (that will be taking place by Ocotillo/Plaster City area on Saturday morning; I'll be pitting for a friend there but should be free by about 12pm-2pm I think). I am hoping to do something like this (follow the blue arrows) - from Ocotillo take imperial highway (S2) to canyon sin nombre, then onto arroyo seco del diablo, thru diablo drop-off to fish creek canyon, then either visit wind caves by following east thru fish creek wash and then coming back to the junction and continuing west on fish creek wash to the hapaha flat road or just go straight west thru fish creek wash to hapaha flat road, take that to Pinyon drop-off, drive it backwards (up, including heart-attack hill and the squeeze) and continue back to S2 on Pinyon mountain road. Then take S2 a little south to rodriguez canyon road and take that (or a little detour thru oriflamme canyon and chariot canyon) to road 78, then 78 east to 79 south, to 8, and back to san diego. Most probably camp out nearby number 9 on the map on Saturday night and then continue on Sunday morning. Planning to come bach to San Diego by 2pm or so.



preview:

the squeeze

heart-attack hill

etc...

anybody wants to come?

 

I thought heart attack hill or at least the squeeze was one way only (downhill)?

 

It is listed as 1 way...but I don't think they can enforce it. Better be double locked to get up Heartattack hill.

I would like to go this weekend, but the Inlaws will be in town.

 

I believe for safety reasons it is called out on the map as one way, but people have driven it up (backwards) before as well, although it can be really hard to make it up the heart-attack hill I heard, so rear locker would be a requirement I believe. I've never tried it before and if we can't make it up we can always reroute - probably get out thru fish creek wash east. I do have a winch though (warn M8000) that we could put to a good test as well.

 

little background info:

While I drove around the desert by Ocotillo/Superstition/Sand Dam somewhat a lot, I am quite unfamiliar with the planned route, except for running canyon sin nombre and down carrizo creek wash to the east.

I drive a 2003 double cab tacoma, 4x4 with rear trd locker, 31" bfg mt tires, about 2" lift, and NO sliders. I do have an M8000 winch, as well as high lift, some aluminum boards to use as sand-ladders, shovel, strap, and a small hand winch. Also have snorkel and a cb.

 

I doubt you will make it with a single locker.....you will tear up the trail worse than it is now, and you will probably still need to turn around.

 

So, you're one of the reasons that things is getting more and more rutted. I think tread lightly also applies to the requests written on the maps. Just seems kinda obvious. Just because it has been done doesn't mean that it should be done.

 

you definatly could make it up with the right line choices, but as deathrunner stated this is the reason these areas are getting more rutted and even closed.
the diablo dropoff has about 17,000 trails going down it now, none of which are hard, but with the stay on trail sign right there it doesnt look good for us as a community.

That said, I know Viter, have wheeled with him here and in Baja and he is a standup guy, and responsible off roader. I would be there wheeling with ya Ilya but cant...
Mike

 

thanks for the reference Mike!
as far as tearing things up - I don't plan to (I never seen this place before in person, only in pictures, and I'd like to see it and go from there since it is always easier to judge things in reality than by looking at pictures; if it looks too hard I'll turn around and get out thru fish creek wash east as mentioned earlier), as far as one-way designation on the map - I still think it is more there for safety reasons than anything else, cosnidering maps are made for general public and I am sure drivers in stock vehicles use it too.

I appreciate your pictures and advice Mark P!

so does anybody want/can come?

 

I can't come with you, already have plans, but maybe you should just head out on the 78 and run that path going the opposite way planned. Going UP rodriguez canyon seems like it would be tough in the two rock parts, and since you aren't really supposed to do the squeeze going west, that would also fix that problem. Now you will be taking canyon sinombre backwards, but that seems better than taking hearattack and squeeze backwards. Then you could head back to the 8 and bail back to SD. Just my thoughts. Enjoy.

 

thats the run I want to do next time out there! the problem for viter is that he will be at plaster city for the mdr race and heading the other direction.

 

yep, Mike is right

I looked at the area on Goolge some more and figured I could even continue on Fish creek wash going north pretty much up to 78 if the heart-attack hill turns out too hard, so I think I have my plans a and b figured out now.

 

if i was you...LOL...i would go out fish creek, down to ocotillo wells, then around the east side of blowsand, and up to borrego springs. that is a fun route.
Mike

 

I uploaded this video to give you an idea of why they call it "Heartattack" hill.....never mind all the brake noise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEC4oN3Q9Xg

 

Oh I definately want to do that! I've heard that I'd have a problem getting my fat ass through the squeeze though

 

I dont think you would fit....I would feel bad if you banged up the Lexus

 

marc, the link stopped working, i wanna check out the video.

 

Not half as bad as I would

 

Ahh...................................I must have broke it

 

Steve the Lexus would absolutely not fit. I have scrapes on both side from it. I know you could do the obstacle if it would fit. It is not that hard especially with a spotter that you trust.

Heart attack is really taking a beating from the backward traffic. The ruts are getting super bad. Just not a great idea if we want to keep the land usage nazi's off our back and the trail open.

Have fun!