has anyone driven the old ore road recently ?10/ 2011

[jim2]

i drove out as far ernst tinaja in early october. the road was rougher than i had see before. not horrible. when i asked at the ranger station why the old ore road is 4wd required i was told that the north end was in bad shape and that was a large pit were the road should be. the ranger said some one had lost a wheel in the pit. has anyone been out there recently?

[OldJeepr]

Drove the road from south to north back in mid-September, and it was in pretty good shape.  In fact, I did the whole thing in 2wd.  There was one spot with a hole at the edge of the road, but easily avoided.  Course, I think it has rained a little since then, so things could have changed.

[jim2]

bump, anybody driven the o.o.r. ?

[OldJeepr]

Gonna do that Saturday. 
This is a spur of the moment, virtually unplanned trip.  I've been working on a 95 Jeep YJ for the past several months, and think it's ready to go.  Mentioned to the wife Wednesday evening that I'd really like to take it on a road trip.
"Where do you want to go?"
"Big Bend"
"When?"
"Well, it's too late to pack up this evening.  Maybe Friday?"
"How long will you be gone?"
"I could come home on Monday."
"Stay a little longer if you don't get to do what you would like."
Reservations made.  Jeep packed.  On the road at daylight tomorrow.
I'll let you know when I get back.  I LOVE THAT GAL!

[jim2]

sounds great !  i have to wait another month before i get to go to the park. how about posting a picture of your jeep?  we would like to see your new build.

[OldJeepr]

Well, sometimes things just don't work out the way we want.  The little jeep made it out there just fine, took a drive down the Dagger Flat road, and a slow bumpy tour of the Old Ore Road ... and starting acting up.  Not wanting to be the target of an SAR, we cut the trip short and nursed it back home (with the last 90 miles as a trailer queen thanks to a rescue by my son).
Old Ore Road is as bumpy as always, but in overall good condition.  There is a washout parallel to the road near the north end.  It is about 2 feet deep and has intruded slightly into the roadway.  You just have to know where your tires are, because a wheel drop into it would definitely ruin your day.  While driving down the road, I was passed by two other vehicles - a Tundra full size pickup and a Chevy Suburban - both of which were 2wd with street tires.  There were also two pickups at the last Telephone Canyon campsite. 
Sorry, not much of a report, but the road is pretty much the same as the last couple of times I've traveled it - rough in spots but not a real challenge for a careful driver.

[jim2]

sorry you had jeep trouble, but thanks for the report.

[jim2]

i drove the old ore road from north to south over new years. like old jeeper stated the ditch on the edge of the road is deep. if you are going slow it is easily seen and avoided. there is also one hill where the road has washed out and people have filled the space with hundreds of rocks. i got out and scouted that hill !

[kevint]

My experience was identical on Dec 30. Drove from north to south. Rode pretty high on the left to avoid the hole and scraped the running board a little on the right. On the rough spot that was partially filled scouted it twice and had my wife spot to ensure I stayed on my line. Worked fine. It is a great drive. We liked Alto Relex and the part right before you descend to McKinney Spring best.