Pinto Canyon...

[RichardM]

I know this post is getting to be an old one, but I thought I would breath some new air into it with a few photos from the Pinto Canyon Road. We drove this road from Marfa to the http://www.chinatihotsprings.com/ Chinati Hot Springs and then back to FM-170 at Ruidosa, Texas. I was wondering if anyone had driven then road from FM-170 through to the Chispa Road? I have some land off of Chispa Road and wanted to make the Pinto Canyon / Chispa Road drive. I know some skilled dualsport drivers have done it, but I was wondering if any 4x4 enthusiast have made the entire haul?

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/22166326.jpg
Start of the 10 miles of road in the Pinto Canyon Ranch

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/22166658.jpg
An old truck along the way

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/22170117.jpg
This is right before you make it into Ruidosa, Texas

Enjoy,
Derrick Perrin
deeperrin@bigboxpro.com

Hmmm, panoramio doesn't seem to want me to see your pics...

[SHANEA]

I drove up Chispa road, what 170 becomes at Ruidosa, probably 15-20 miles -well past the gauging station.  It was slow going due to the overgrowth, but the road was in fine shape 10 years ago or so.  Very boring, but spooky drive - expect a drug lord at every bend - one way most of the way and few places for vehicles to pass.  I believe in the hayday of Pablo Acosta - crossings were used to ferry the cash crops into the states.   I bet now days the DHS/CBP keeps a sharp eye on the road with the influx of agents in the Marfa sector - easy to drive across the river at several points.  No doubt there are road sensors too.  Ran into a hoard of Border Patrol, pre DHS/CBP, going up Pinto Canyon road to Marfa.    BTW - I certainly wouldn't expect any cell service out that way if you get stuck or have a couple of flat tires...   

Many good links out there with information if you do a search for Chispa road texas

Some good pics of the area @ http://tinyurl.com/shanea011 - neat PVC shelter they setup.

[deeperrin]

The link was to my set of photos.  That is my PVC shelter. 
The PVC shelter is off of the Chispa road near Valentine.  That part of the road is manned by the Boarder Patrol from Van Horn, and there are sensors on the road.  There are very few times that we get back to the pavement without a visit from the green and white. 

I am looking to take a 4x4 trip from the Chispa road all the way to FM-170.  I just wish there was a way to know if anything more than a motorcycle could make it?

Thanks
Derrick