El Camino del Diablo (the Devil's Highway)... Oct 3~4 '09

AZKJ · **Posted:** Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:49 am

Signcutter 21 and I are doing a run on El Camino Del Diablo (the Devil’s Highway). It’s a 135 mile, 2 day, 1 night camping trip through the Sonoran Desert. The trail runs from Ajo to Yuma. The area is extremely remote and conditions are harsh. There are no services along the way and parts of the trail run parallel with the Mexican Border. You’ll need to be 110% self sufficient… plenty of water, food, camping gear and extra gas.

A free permit from BLM is required for “each” person traveling this trail. To obtain the permit, each person is required by BLM to watch a 20 minute video on the dangers of the trail and sign a “hold harmless” form.

Permits can be obtained at:

BLM Field Office
2015 W. Deer Valley Road
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Open: M~F (0700~1600)
(623) 580-5500

Or

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge
1611 N. 2nd Ave
Ajo, AZ 85321
Open: M~F (0730~1630)
(520) 387-6483

You can get your permits on your own or we can all meet in Ajo and get them together on Friday afternoon.

If some of us get their permit in Ajo on Friday, we can spend some time together over dinner and wherever else we happen to find. For those driving down from Phoenix early Saturday morning, we’ll depart for the trail first thing after breakfast. The trail ends in Yuma late Sunday afternoon. You can stay the night there, or head for home... your choice.

For those who did the Mojave Road Expedition~2009 last May, this trip will be much the same, but in a different and hotter location and more scenic.

EDIT: This trip is limited to 4 vehicles. Anything more than 4 requires a special permit. This Wednesday is the cutoff day to get the permit by mail. It doesn't look like we'll get more than four, so I canceled the permit request. If by chance we do get more, we'll just split up in two groups.

Note:

- No wood fires, Charcoal and propane are okay.

- We will be required to set up camp in a designated area... Tule Well Campground (they are equipped with a picnic table and grill.

- There is no water or facilities... primitive camping.

- No firearms allowed.

When: Oct 3-4 2009
Meet: Marcela's Cafe and Bakery (1117 W. Dorsey St Ajo, AZ)
Time: 0800 for breakfast
Depart: 0900

Just a note... for those who may be thinking about going on this adventure, but can't make it down to Ajo Friday afternoon, or don't want to spend Sunday night in Yuma after the run... don't pass this up because of time restraints. It's only a 1.75 hour drive from central Phoenix to Ajo and only 2.75 hours from Yuma back to Phoenix. A full weekend for sure, but very doable. So come on down and let's go chase down the Devil on his own highway!!!

Who’s going:

Signcutter21 +1
AZKJ +1

Maybe:

Neatus · **Posted:** Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:38 pm

Can't make it, I will be on my family's yearly hunting trip at area 32B...have fun folks.

Signcutter21 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:13 pm

Hells yeah what an adventure this will be.
Scott, where you at? This is your back yard.
I'll be in Ajo sometime friday.

Mike

eyehatetofu · **Posted:** Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:02 pm

I read an article two years ago about el camino del diablo, and have wanted to drive it since. I would like to tag along, but I have to work. I wouldn't be able to see if I could get those days off until saturday, I am not sure if that is too late for you guys. I should be able to get the time off, its been slow, but I wouln't know 100% till saturday.

What kind of stuff are you bringing as far as trail repair stuff, like what kind of spare parts or things of that sort?

So, inconclusion, I would like to go but can't commit 100% til saturday.

AZKJ · **Posted:** Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:02 pm

For anyone interested, here is a 25 minute video of the area we'll be traveling through on this expedition...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJHszPvGY2E

AZKJ · **Posted:** Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:38 pm

eyehatetofu wrote:

I read an article two years ago about el camino del diablo, and have wanted to drive it since. I would like to tag along, but I have to work. I wouldn't be able to see if I could get those days off until saturday, I am not sure if that is too late for you guys. I should be able to get the time off, its been slow, but I wouln't know 100% till saturday.

What kind of stuff are you bringing as far as trail repair stuff, like what kind of spare parts or things of that sort?

So, inconclusion, I would like to go but can't commit 100% til saturday.

You're more than welcome to join us, so let us know as soon as you can. A free permit is required for this trip (see the first post in this thread). I can also e-mail you the application and you can FAX it to the Ajo office and they'll have it ready for when we arrive down there.

Trail repair stuff, first make sure your vehicle is in good shape... tires, belts, hoses and all fluids topped off. As for spare parts, this is not a technically difficult trail so a spare belt, fuses, extra fluids, tire repair kit, tools, a shovel, duct tape, zip ties and other small odds and ends are all that I'm bringing. Also a first aid kit and snake bite kit.

If you like Italian sausage and fried onions on a hoagie roll, then dinners on me and Beth. If you want, bring a side dish to share with everyone.

Mike and Katelynn will be in Ajo Friday afternoon, Beth and I will be down first thing Saturday morning.

Hope to see you in Ajo!!

Signcutter21 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 23, 2009 3:21 am

AJ,
It'll just be me on this trip, no +1.

Stupid work.

Hogies sound good. I'll get Katelynn to come up w/ something good for me to bring.

Asking around for some more maps and info on the area from some good inside sources that know the area VERY well.

Later,
mike

AZKJ · **Posted:** Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:48 am

Sorry +1 can't make it. Know what you mean about stupid work... Beth can't get off for a quick run to Moab with Roland and myself Oct 7~10..

I was going to try and get some maps from Map World, but it seems you have a handle on it with your inside sources. I have the GPS way points loaded and ready to go.

Okay... Italian subs it is.

AJ

oldhockeyvb · **Posted:** Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:44 pm

Sounds like fun, gonna have to miss this one. Running with Jeep Expeditions down in the Douglas area this weekend

AZKJ · **Posted:** Mon Sep 28, 2009 6:52 pm

oldhockeyvb wrote:

Sounds like fun, gonna have to miss this one. Running with Jeep Expeditions down in the Douglas area this weekend

Maybe another time.

Checking out some new trails down by our last year's Trick or Jeep area? Be sure to report back what you find, and maybe you can lead AZ LOST JEEPS on a trip down that way. AND, breakfast at the Bisbee Breakfast Club!!!

eyehatetofu · **Posted:** Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:34 pm

It's going to be a no-go for me. Unfortunately I could not get the time off from work, to many people already requested Saturday off. Have fun out there!

AZKJ · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:40 pm

Sorry you can't make it.

Check out our Trick or Jeep camping - run - chili fest Oct 23~24. The camp is at Roosevelt lake.

AZKJ · **Posted:** Mon Oct 05, 2009 10:13 am

We're back from chasing down the Devil on his own highway!! It was a fun trip. Other than the Border Patrol and a few wild critters, we saw no one else the entire weekend.

Mike... thanks for a great weekend, just wish +1 could of made it!!

A few pictures from our 137 mile trip across El Camino del Diablo.

Airing down....

A very long stretch of desert sand....

After crossing the sandy stretch....

Parked next to an extinct valcano....

A contrast, dusty Jeep sitting on black lava rock....

Our camp at Tule Well....

Beth and Mike kicked back after a long, dusty day on the Devil's Highway....

See Beth jump!!! After she saw this critter walking towards her in camp just after it got dark....

Another sandy stretch....

A Marine that didn't make it....

Tinajas Altus, Mike climbed almost to the top of the section above the bush in the middle of the picture....

More sand....

The end of the trail....

Signcutter21 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:08 am

AJ, as usual. great pics. I'll try to get some up sometime soon. Been busy busy busy.

mike

kskj · **Posted:** Wed Oct 07, 2009 6:27 pm

Nice pics Az. How hot is it this time of year down there?

oldhockeyvb · **Posted:** Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:56 pm

85 today, got the top down on the wrangler and loving life

AZKJ · **Posted:** Sun Oct 11, 2009 12:44 pm

oldhockeyvb wrote:

85 today, got the top down on the wrangler and loving life

In Tucson maybe... it got to 91 along the trail with a low of 61 that night at Tule Well where we camped.

El Camino del Diablo (the Devil's Highway)... Oct 3~4 '09

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