Ocotillo Wells: Devil's Slide, Gas Domes, Artesian Well (3-5-11)

After such a great performance by my new Dynapro tires last Saturday in the snow and mud, I was anxious to test them in the sand and desert!

Elizabeth and I packed some lunch and headed east yesterday...



First we went to Devil's Slide and not only did the Dynapros not dig in, but I was in 2WD all over the sand plateau. I then went off the side into the looser stuff... Finally I needed to engage the transfer case, but never did I need to lower the air pressure... I am still running them at 35 psi.

We then drove to the top of Squaw Peak (the mountain that Devil's Slide is against) to make some lunch and enjoy the view.







I did a steep, L4, Locker, A-TRAC climb that a bunch of Jeeps only drove down just before... the Tacoma/ Dynapros climbed up the cliff without an issue... I wish someone was taking photos! I did a few more loose sand tests and was impressed.

From there we drove east past Shell Reef, down Tarantula Wash and turned left on Gas Dome Trail to the Gas Domes. These are springs were both water and gas bubble to the surface. The water is cool and there is no odor.













From the gas domes, the road winds through the mud hills to the Artesian Well...

In the 1920's an oil well was sunk 4,000 feet here. All they got was hot water! A pipe on the well head still spits out water, however it is cool at the surface.







The Hankook Dynapro ATM tires continue to impress me with their performance and quiet ride. The next serious test will be in Baja on the bottomless sand/shell beach south of San Felipe... May, 2011 (if not sooner)!

 

Hey David. Looks like you had a blast out there. Loved the pictures and the history of the Artesian Well. I was sitting here some time back wondering how that little section of the desert came to be. I'm guessing you're happy with the Dynapros ? I have yet to try my new shoes in the desert. Can't wait!!

 

Dying to get out to ocotillo wells. Anyone want to get out there soon for a small desert trip? I need to test out all this new suspension and my buddies are broke and busy, lol.

 

The desert is YOURS!

Too bad gasoline is near $4/ gallon in San Diego now!!!

 

Nice pics David....

 

When are you planning on going, we may be interested. Just installed a new suspension last weekend too.

 

Telling me! Right now I'm loving the 2.4L still under $50 to fill an entire tank, not for long though.

Well how about the weekend of the 18-20th? Gives people some time to plan. Hopefully the weather doesn't do anything strange. Maybe people from southern riverside county, north san diego county would be into this with looking for a relatively close to home trip. Think I can get my buddy and brother to join in with their tacoma's.

 

I might be down for this on the 19th. I can only do a one day trip.

 

That would be great. I've done plenty of one day trips. I figure to shoot out the entire weekend to just get a feel what people are up to and adjust to what works out best.

 

Thanks David for the inspiration!

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/so...otillo-wells-march-18th-20th.html#post2840295

Made a new thread to catch peoples eyes a little easier.

 

Happy to inspire any off roading!

Hey, the San Felipe 250 SCORE race is this Saturday... Marioso is zipping down and back in one day to watch it... I have other plans, and have been to several, pitted many, and raced once, in Baja... But, if you are young and have enegy, there's nothing better than a Baja off road race!

 

that is pretty cool.

 

looks awesome man!

 

It's out there... just waiting for you!

 

Cool pics and story. Thanks for sharing. I have not yet been to that part of Anza-Borrego yet. It's on my list though. Hopefully soon.

 

Lot's of stuff out there... and inside the Anza-Borrego Park, too. I think next run will will go into the Borrego Badlands, Font's Point, Seventeen Palms Oasis... stuff like that... all just north of Ocotillo Wells ORV Park.