bigdon55
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I'm in for this!
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Godzilla awaits
- Thread starter Trail Boss
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- On a bike, down by the river!
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I didn't have time to take the camera out of my pocket, trying to keep up with youse guys....
That reminds me......do you have the evidence pictures you took? I'd sure like to see them.
By the way.....that was so much fun that I'm almost sure we were doing something illegal?
JT
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Last edited:
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Does this corner look familiar?
Hmmmmmm wonder how that happened? That bottom picture I can't take credit for. Must have been Dave?
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Not only does Godzilla await. the readers await for the report. 
Robert K
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Not only does Godzilla await. the readers await for the report.
I'm glad I ain't the only one waiting on this to continue on. Maybe we need to take up a collection for some liquid refreshments to inspire them to continue on?
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My apologies to all. I got busy for a few days, then got distracted by beer and photography talk last night. Now that the Texans have just won their first playoff game I'll get back to work on this RR. 
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Not on the map
On the google map we are at the blue dot of terror, passed the point of no return. Okay, that might be a bit melodramatic but the road we are riding is not on the map. We know it goes through thanks to Scott/Izz/Edwin but we don't have a clue as to its condition with the exception that there is a big scary hill somewhere ahead.
The google map is interactive, click and drag to move things around. See El Murcielago? That's where we are headed to and we have to cross that gap between the 2 roads.
After we passed by the last ranch, the road noticeably deteriorated. As I said early, only adventure riders or really confused people come through here. It was really remote. The road was now a class 3 with lots of big, loose rocks.
The road is getting more difficult
We are crossing over the heart of this mountain range. See the rocks on the ground behind John? Well they weren't just on the side of the road, they were all over the road.
The road went up for a really long time, across all those large loose rocks. We really had to pay close attention, less a front tire deflect off a big rock and cause a crash. The road went up for so long and was noticeably much tougher than anything else we had done that I began to wonder - was this Godzilla Hill? It was tough going but not as bad as I expected. Then I started to think - this is pretty darn hard, if this isn't Godzilla Hill then holy moly, I'm not sure I'm up to the challenge.
John, who had been leading all day, pulled to a stop once we finally crested the mountain.
"Rich, do you think that was Godzilla Hill?"
"I'm not sure JT. That was a pretty tough uphill, so maybe it could be Godzilla. Boy, my hands are pumped from just trying to hang on and get the bike up here."
"Well, if Godzilla is harder than that, I'm getting a little concerned."
Dang. JT is a much more skilled rider than I. If he is concerned then I'm really worried.
"Yeah, JT, me too."
We mounted up and continued on our way.
Going down wasn't appreciably easier than going uphill. Gravity did help but, unbelievably, the road got even worse. John seemingly ran off the road ahead of me. What's going on?
When I arrived at that spot in the road I too ran off the road. A deep section of road had been washed away, can't make it through here. Off into the brush to get around, putting an exclamation point on the fact that this road had been abandoned. Scott/Izz/Edwin were probably the last people to have come this way until we showed up.
You can't really see it in the picture above but the mountain loomed over us, with no pass in sight. "How the heck are we going to get over those mountains", I wondered as John led us ever deeper into the valley. Eventually we were in a box canyon and I lost sight of the road.
How the heck do you get out of here? Where's the road? Then I saw it - climbing up at a crazy steep angle, covered in head sized rocks, and partially washed out in several areas. Oh my! No doubt about it - this was Godzilla Hill. I took one look at it and had to resist a strong, strong urge to tell JT there was no way I was going to even attempt that. I was sure I didn't have the skill to make it to the top without dropping the bike at least once.
We parked the bikes and conducted a foot recon. The crazy steep section was only about 100 yards or so. After that the hill made a 180 degree turn and continued to climb but at a less steep angle. If we could make it just 100 yards up Godzilla we could make it all the way to the top.
Could we make it the 100 yards? I thought about just telling JT that he was gonna have to ride his bike up, then walk down and ride my bike up.
Our recon done, we walked down to the bikes. John slowly mounted up, fired his engine, and went for it.
Clawing, scrambling, tires spinning, feet out, he made it about 50 yards and stalled the bike. He didn't fall but he was dead in the water. It was too steep and he was too off balance to get the bike moving again.
I climbed the hill and we discussed the situation. We decided that we would try to get the bike passed this most difficult section by him walking the bike with the engine started in 1st gear while I assisted by pushing the bike.
That worked just well enough for us to get the bike another 10 yards uphill to a slightly easier and less steep section. John remounted and with a push-assist from me was able to get the bike moving again. At the 180 degree turn, he parked and walked back down the hill to the toughest section, waiting to assist me on my attempt.
Once I got all my gear on, I jumped on the Husky, fired her up, and dumped the clutch before I lost my nerve. It was just ugly. I was bouncing off rocks, unable to hold a line. I made it almost as far as John did on his attempt, deflected my front tire off a boulder, and stalled. Off balance, the bike and I toppled slowly to the right, the ground too far away for me to get my foot down.
"Catch me, John. Catch me, John. Catch me, John." I yelled.
John didn't catch me. He was there but he didn't have the body position or the leverage to stop my fall. Down I went.
Luckily my fall was cushioned by a boulder field of hard, sharp rocks.
I landed on my right side, did a combat roll, and ended up on my back.
Ouch. That kinda hurt.
"You okay, Rich?"
"Yeah, I'm okay. Thank goodness these boulders were here for me to land on or it could have been really bad."
Luckily the Husky was okay too.
We regrouped and then used the "walking the bike in first gear while your buddy pushes" technique to get me over the worst of it.
I remounted, rode almost all the way to the top, parked the bike and grabbed my camera. Here's the view from the top.
John joining me at the top of Godzilla Hill
I apologize for not getting more shots of the hill, especially the tough section. I wasn't thinking correctly, what with being so nervous about trying to tame this beast. If you want a good picture of it you're gonna have to go take one for yourself. Sorry.
We are on top. I'm thinking, "Whew, glad that's over." But we had lots more riding to do. Riding that turned out to be fantastic.
More to come.
On the google map we are at the blue dot of terror, passed the point of no return. Okay, that might be a bit melodramatic but the road we are riding is not on the map. We know it goes through thanks to Scott/Izz/Edwin but we don't have a clue as to its condition with the exception that there is a big scary hill somewhere ahead.
The google map is interactive, click and drag to move things around. See El Murcielago? That's where we are headed to and we have to cross that gap between the 2 roads.
After we passed by the last ranch, the road noticeably deteriorated. As I said early, only adventure riders or really confused people come through here. It was really remote. The road was now a class 3 with lots of big, loose rocks.
The road is getting more difficult
We are crossing over the heart of this mountain range. See the rocks on the ground behind John? Well they weren't just on the side of the road, they were all over the road.
The road went up for a really long time, across all those large loose rocks. We really had to pay close attention, less a front tire deflect off a big rock and cause a crash. The road went up for so long and was noticeably much tougher than anything else we had done that I began to wonder - was this Godzilla Hill? It was tough going but not as bad as I expected. Then I started to think - this is pretty darn hard, if this isn't Godzilla Hill then holy moly, I'm not sure I'm up to the challenge.
John, who had been leading all day, pulled to a stop once we finally crested the mountain.
"Rich, do you think that was Godzilla Hill?"
"I'm not sure JT. That was a pretty tough uphill, so maybe it could be Godzilla. Boy, my hands are pumped from just trying to hang on and get the bike up here."
"Well, if Godzilla is harder than that, I'm getting a little concerned."
Dang. JT is a much more skilled rider than I. If he is concerned then I'm really worried.
"Yeah, JT, me too."
We mounted up and continued on our way.
Going down wasn't appreciably easier than going uphill. Gravity did help but, unbelievably, the road got even worse. John seemingly ran off the road ahead of me. What's going on?
When I arrived at that spot in the road I too ran off the road. A deep section of road had been washed away, can't make it through here. Off into the brush to get around, putting an exclamation point on the fact that this road had been abandoned. Scott/Izz/Edwin were probably the last people to have come this way until we showed up.
You can't really see it in the picture above but the mountain loomed over us, with no pass in sight. "How the heck are we going to get over those mountains", I wondered as John led us ever deeper into the valley. Eventually we were in a box canyon and I lost sight of the road.
How the heck do you get out of here? Where's the road? Then I saw it - climbing up at a crazy steep angle, covered in head sized rocks, and partially washed out in several areas. Oh my! No doubt about it - this was Godzilla Hill. I took one look at it and had to resist a strong, strong urge to tell JT there was no way I was going to even attempt that. I was sure I didn't have the skill to make it to the top without dropping the bike at least once.
We parked the bikes and conducted a foot recon. The crazy steep section was only about 100 yards or so. After that the hill made a 180 degree turn and continued to climb but at a less steep angle. If we could make it just 100 yards up Godzilla we could make it all the way to the top.
Could we make it the 100 yards? I thought about just telling JT that he was gonna have to ride his bike up, then walk down and ride my bike up.
Our recon done, we walked down to the bikes. John slowly mounted up, fired his engine, and went for it.
Clawing, scrambling, tires spinning, feet out, he made it about 50 yards and stalled the bike. He didn't fall but he was dead in the water. It was too steep and he was too off balance to get the bike moving again.
I climbed the hill and we discussed the situation. We decided that we would try to get the bike passed this most difficult section by him walking the bike with the engine started in 1st gear while I assisted by pushing the bike.
That worked just well enough for us to get the bike another 10 yards uphill to a slightly easier and less steep section. John remounted and with a push-assist from me was able to get the bike moving again. At the 180 degree turn, he parked and walked back down the hill to the toughest section, waiting to assist me on my attempt.
Once I got all my gear on, I jumped on the Husky, fired her up, and dumped the clutch before I lost my nerve. It was just ugly. I was bouncing off rocks, unable to hold a line. I made it almost as far as John did on his attempt, deflected my front tire off a boulder, and stalled. Off balance, the bike and I toppled slowly to the right, the ground too far away for me to get my foot down.
"Catch me, John. Catch me, John. Catch me, John." I yelled.
John didn't catch me. He was there but he didn't have the body position or the leverage to stop my fall. Down I went.
Luckily my fall was cushioned by a boulder field of hard, sharp rocks.
I landed on my right side, did a combat roll, and ended up on my back.
Ouch. That kinda hurt.
"You okay, Rich?"
"Yeah, I'm okay. Thank goodness these boulders were here for me to land on or it could have been really bad."
Luckily the Husky was okay too.
We regrouped and then used the "walking the bike in first gear while your buddy pushes" technique to get me over the worst of it.
I remounted, rode almost all the way to the top, parked the bike and grabbed my camera. Here's the view from the top.
John joining me at the top of Godzilla Hill
I apologize for not getting more shots of the hill, especially the tough section. I wasn't thinking correctly, what with being so nervous about trying to tame this beast. If you want a good picture of it you're gonna have to go take one for yourself. Sorry.
We are on top. I'm thinking, "Whew, glad that's over." But we had lots more riding to do. Riding that turned out to be fantastic.
More to come.
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Richard, We know the feeling! We didn't take many pictures either due to the same reasons. I was so glad I made it unscrached that as soon as Scott clear the last turn Izz did his now famous, helmet on, onward we go. We'll be back there this coming Thursday and I am sure we'll get more video footage this time. Scott may post his video from last year. On this trail, your eyes wonder off the track and down you go. I went over the handle bars once for looking at some horses near a pond. Looking forward to the next installment.
stingray
0
That was a really good read. Thanks Richard!
JT
Forum Supporter
Here's a Google terrain map that shows the route, I have not been able to figure out how to post an interactive GPSVisualizer map, so the click the link if you want to see it.
The little green dot SE of El Murcialago is Godzilla Hill.
Interactive GPSVisualizer map
I'll upload more pics in a minute...
My connection is as slow as a modem...
The little green dot SE of El Murcialago is Godzilla Hill.
Interactive GPSVisualizer map
I'll upload more pics in a minute...
My connection is as slow as a modem...
JT
Forum Supporter
As Rich said, the first 20 miles or so North from Ojinaga was the River Road, Mexican style. This is looking East, Pinto Canyon Road is in those mountains in the distance.
Looking West toward the mountains we want to cross, River Road a 50MPH Mexican freeway,
The turn toward Godzilla Hill, notice the sign doesn't say the road goes through to El Murcialago only as far as El Gaitan,
Rich cresting a bump with Chinati Peak in the background,
And into the mountains he goes,
Our first look up close at Godzilla. It may not be any steeper than the hills in Arkansas, but the Ark rocks are pretty much flat and sharp edged, where these are rounded like ball bearings in assorted sizes. And yes it is much steeper than it looks.
This is where the Ol' Pig decided it needed a break, maybe 1/5 of the way up.
Once up and over Godzilla, it was pretty obvious nobody but TXADV'ers were crazy enough to use this road.
Rich bullying his Supermodel around.
Hey Rich! I see the desert floor! We made it, almost.
Coming down out of the mountains.
And almost level ground.
We ran about 10 miles North at 60 or better and turned back East to cross the mountains again.
And that's all I got.
And Yes I want to do it again...
Almost forgot,
You missed it Iceman!
Looking West toward the mountains we want to cross, River Road a 50MPH Mexican freeway,
The turn toward Godzilla Hill, notice the sign doesn't say the road goes through to El Murcialago only as far as El Gaitan,
Rich cresting a bump with Chinati Peak in the background,
And into the mountains he goes,
Our first look up close at Godzilla. It may not be any steeper than the hills in Arkansas, but the Ark rocks are pretty much flat and sharp edged, where these are rounded like ball bearings in assorted sizes. And yes it is much steeper than it looks.
This is where the Ol' Pig decided it needed a break, maybe 1/5 of the way up.
Once up and over Godzilla, it was pretty obvious nobody but TXADV'ers were crazy enough to use this road.
Rich bullying his Supermodel around.
Hey Rich! I see the desert floor! We made it, almost.
Coming down out of the mountains.
And almost level ground.
We ran about 10 miles North at 60 or better and turned back East to cross the mountains again.
And that's all I got.
And Yes I want to do it again...
Almost forgot,
You missed it Iceman!
Last edited:
Swapeti
0
Great to read about others riding in the Ojinaga area. We are planning our trip for February. Paul Rodzilla Rodden has been at Presidio since before Christmas and should have some new stuff for us to check out.
I have been on the river road you traveled on our "Round the Mountain" loop but now you have shown something else we need to try.
Thanks for posting up the fun you had on your trip.
I have been on the river road you traveled on our "Round the Mountain" loop but now you have shown something else we need to try.
Thanks for posting up the fun you had on your trip.
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We made it to the top of Godzilla Hill but our journey is far from being over. We had crossed the border about 10 am and it only took a little more than than 3 hours to get to here, so we had lots of daylight remaining.
As John's map indicates we rode north to El Mercielago (not a town, a ranch). As we rode north the road continued to deteriorate. As bad as it was before, it got even worse. I'm not saying it wasn't passable, what I'm saying is that it became less and less a road and more and more a path.
It's still a road in this shot.
Then the road wasn't a road. It was a horse trail. Really. A single track leading through the mountains, maintained by the local horse herd.
Luckily, they let us pass in peace and we continued on our way.
Eventually it wasn't even a trail. It was a "this used to be a trail but now it's overgrown with plant life". I think we rode through this for 2-3 miles and the entire time I was thinking, "boy, sure am glad I put that Ride-On in my tubes.". Neither John or I got a flat (he had stuff in his tubes too).
As we got closer to El Mercielago the track turned back into a trail and then, eventually, a road again. I knew the worst was behind us, at least on the known track we had been following to this point.
The open desert in the distance signals the end of the mountains and a decision point.
When Scott/Izz/Edwin came through here, once the exited the mountains they went south to pavement, and the back to Ojinaga. However, John had been examining Google Earth closely and had identified another road, north of here, that would take us back across the mountains to river road. John explained to me that he could see "most" of the road on the map and thought we could get through. But since no one had ever ridden it (or at least, hadn't ridden it and told anyone they had ridden it), it was unknown. Did it really go through? How tough would it be? Would it turn out to be as bad, or worse, than Godzill Hill? Clearly, the only way to find out was to go and ride it.
John really wanted to try. I was a little less enthusiastic but I looked at my watch, saw that we had about 4 hours of daylight remaining, and said "let's go for it."
We rode north into the desert.
As John's map indicates we rode north to El Mercielago (not a town, a ranch). As we rode north the road continued to deteriorate. As bad as it was before, it got even worse. I'm not saying it wasn't passable, what I'm saying is that it became less and less a road and more and more a path.
It's still a road in this shot.
Then the road wasn't a road. It was a horse trail. Really. A single track leading through the mountains, maintained by the local horse herd.
Luckily, they let us pass in peace and we continued on our way.
Eventually it wasn't even a trail. It was a "this used to be a trail but now it's overgrown with plant life". I think we rode through this for 2-3 miles and the entire time I was thinking, "boy, sure am glad I put that Ride-On in my tubes.". Neither John or I got a flat (he had stuff in his tubes too).
As we got closer to El Mercielago the track turned back into a trail and then, eventually, a road again. I knew the worst was behind us, at least on the known track we had been following to this point.
The open desert in the distance signals the end of the mountains and a decision point.
When Scott/Izz/Edwin came through here, once the exited the mountains they went south to pavement, and the back to Ojinaga. However, John had been examining Google Earth closely and had identified another road, north of here, that would take us back across the mountains to river road. John explained to me that he could see "most" of the road on the map and thought we could get through. But since no one had ever ridden it (or at least, hadn't ridden it and told anyone they had ridden it), it was unknown. Did it really go through? How tough would it be? Would it turn out to be as bad, or worse, than Godzill Hill? Clearly, the only way to find out was to go and ride it.
John really wanted to try. I was a little less enthusiastic but I looked at my watch, saw that we had about 4 hours of daylight remaining, and said "let's go for it."
We rode north into the desert.
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Anyone carrying a SPOT or might there even be cell service that close to the border? Carrying any kind of first aid kit? Just curious, because if something bad were to happen out there... It could be seriously life threatening. Other than that, I am just jealous that I did not go with you 
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You would not believe how jealous I am of you guys.. If we had not moved to Seattle, I would have been with you (If you would have let me join!!). Many thanks for the write up and the pics. My bikes are still in storage whilst we try to find a house, so I am having to live through your trips for the moment.. Hopefully in a couple of months I will have my bikes and can start posting some rides from Seattle!! I will ride the TAT this summer and have a chance to make you all jealous!! 
Gary
Gary
JT
Forum Supporter
Hi Gary, leave one of the bikes in storage and fly down here the first weekend of March and we'll go ride a few new loops out of Ojinaga. 
You would not believe how jealous I am of you guys.. If we had not moved to Seattle, I would have been with you (If you would have let me join!!). Many thanks for the write up and the pics. My bikes are still in storage whilst we try to find a house, so I am having to live through your trips for the moment.. Hopefully in a couple of months I will have my bikes and can start posting some rides from Seattle!! I will ride the TAT this summer and have a chance to make you all jealous!!
Gary
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Hi Gary, leave one of the bikes in storage and fly down here the first weekend of March and we'll go ride a few new loops out of Ojinaga.
Would love to, but all the bikes are already in storage in Oregon!!
Will just have to wait until we buy our next house and I can get the bikes and my belongings delivered to the new house..
Gary
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I have a KLR you could borrow...
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I have a KLR you could borrow...
I might have to take you up on that!! If you trust me on it..
Gary
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I might have to take you up on that!! If you trust me on it..
Gary
Well, it is not like it hasn't been well used... 
It is geared 14/15 and I run D606's on it. It is jetted pretty good and runs strong. It ain't purdy though... It is set up nicely for the adventure travel thing: wolfman tank pannier bags, wolfman enduro tank bag, Dirtbagz for saddle bags, no top case as I don't want the weight that high. Corbin seat. Highway pegs. It has never given me any trouble despite much hard use. It is an 02 I think, we about 20K miles on it. Racetech springs up front, Progressive 420 on the rear stock shock. It could probably stand a new rear shock just because the damping is probably toast. Geared up, I am about 200 lbs. Now that I have the KTM 530, the KLR is going to be seeing a lot more garage time... Not really worth selling so I'll hang on to it as a buddy bike and ride it occasionally. If you were to TOTALLY trash it and coughed up $1500 to cover it, I'd hold no grudge
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That sounds very fair.. Having just started a new job I don't have any vacation yet and will use most of it up on the TAT ride in June/July.. I will have to see how it goes, but I really appreciate the offer, I have never killed a bike yet!!
Gary