Our run through Baja was a great adventure full of awesome scenery, good food, great people and adrenaline filled driving. Expedition X Offroad always puts together a great event and has improved on the experience and adventure every time. It compares to a great collection of close family and friends with the best attitudes and personalities enjoying a secluded vacation. This time our run was possibly going to be compromised by the impending hurricane or tropical storm depending on severity as it approached. Expedition X closely monitored conditions and made changes as needed for any safety concerns. The route was reversed to avoid the projected weather pattern.
The group met close to the Mexican border that allowed last minute gas, food and snacks to be picked before heading off the beaten path. With trail support consisting of mechanics, parts, tools, additional trucks and trailer for those requiring assistance from unforeseen breakdowns. After introductions and conversing with old friends, we parted for the Tecate border. This border has always been the easiest crossing with very minimal wait. Not far from Tecate we reached the start of our off road run.
We traveled for a few hours, stopping to snack on trail before reaching the well known taco stand in Valle de Trinidad for lunch. Always great tacos and prices with a nice stop to socialize. From here we continued across some of the best roads on our way to San Felipe.
The terrain changes from brown dirt and rocks to white sands and cactus as we head to the Sea of Cortez. Just outside San Felipe is Zoo Road where trophy trucks run around 130mph followed the the San Felipe whoops that test your suspension capabilities.
Arriving in San Felipe we pulled into our gated hotel to see EXO awaiting our arrival with keys to our rooms and tasty refreshments.
Being in the 90's and humid from the approaching storm we all enjoyed the tropical pool with rain head bridge across the middle. After relaxing for awhile our catered food was presented in the courtyard with a vast array of local specialties and as good as a home cooked meal. The evening allowed time to venture down to the malecon (waterfront) which is the center of San Felipe. Most of the bars and restaurants are situated here and are within walking distance of each other.
The next morning we had a quick drivers meeting then headed across the Baja peninsula toward the pacific ocean.
As we reached our favorite taco stand we starting to see moisture from the storm. While the moisture created some mud in spots it definitely eliminated the dust behind everyone's vehicle. The closer we approached the Pacific the more rain we received. Another great road with driftable corners leads us to San Quintin to quaint and well hosted Old Mill Hotel on the bay. Over the years the hotel has added a finely detailed bar, restaurant and new outside patio area. Once again we were welcomed with secluded parking, room key and refreshments waiting followed by an awesome dinner.
We found out the hotel in San Felipe and surrounding roads became flooded by the storm showing how the route changes allowed us to narrowly miss disaster.
After a full night of continuous rain EXO decided to cancel the southbound run and second night at the Old Mill to proceed to Ensenada. The trip north extends along the Pacific Ocean with beautiful storm surf we followed the coastline through muddy brown and red dirt on parts of the Baja 1000 course that was just marked. We had a great beach spot to relax allowing time for a couple of trucks to get stuck.
After the successful truck recovery the rains seemed to have caught us with an increased vengeance and kept us moving until we pulled to the highway for the final progression into Ensenada. We stayed at the San Remo hotel and casino with well guarded parking and EXO members toasting our arrival it was the end to another adventuresome day. We enjoyed a cocktail hour before another dinner with the entire group. Later we proceeded downtown to explore the night life adventures in this touristy town.
Next day we did another coastal run along the coast, some rocky trails and the infamous Ojos rollers for a little flight time.enjoying some stops along the way for pictures and refreshments before returning to town. for our final night and dinner in Ensenada.
Everyone enjoyed our final night at dinner in downtown Ensenada to reflect on our run and new friendships we developed. As always Baja with good friends create a captivating period in your life you will always remember.
We had an amazing run without a single breakdown, flat or issue with our truck. This has been our third run through Baja and the Icon Vehicle Dynamics stage 4 suspension has soaked up everything ewe through it through. The Falken Wildpeak MT have not gotten a flat and the Icon Alloys Shield wheels have never been damaged from impact. I must say the RPG front bumper and skid plate have sniffed the ground a few times but remain intact. For those of you reading this at your local coffee drive thru you need to use your truck what it was built for, it is much more resilient to abuse than naysayers lead you to believe.
I really want to thank the EXO crew of Jeremiah, Joe, Matt, Gordon, Darren, Allen, Donnie, Mike and Dave for the attention to detail and altering the run during the approaching hurricane for the best experience.
Also a big thanks to the generous supporters of EXO from Icon Vehicle Dynamics, Falken Tire, KMC Wheels, SVC Offroad, KC-Hilites, ADV Advanced Fiberglass, Shaffers Offroad, Rogue Racing and Instant Mexico Insurance.
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