Judging a Trail

[KSwilly]

I'm searching around for some resources to understand trail ratings, and get a sense of my Jeep's capabilities.

Long story short - a Rubicon wasn't in my price range, and my new JL is going to be a daily driver, so I'm not looking to lift it too much or put massive tires on it. I got the Willys Edition because of the rock rails, LSD, and the M/T tires, with the hope of getting onto some SoCal trails. But now, I'm looking at various guides with green/blue/red indications and other ratings systems, and trying to make some calls what my Willys can actually handle without big lifts, lockers, and unlocked sway bars.

Anyone have any good resources?

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[Chocolate Thunder]

Trail ratings are completely subjective and there are a number of different rating systems. Some use colors similar to ski slopes, some are numerical 1-5 or 1-10. At some places they may explain what the rating corresponds to but most don’t.

The best way to tell is to ask people who have wheeled it recently. A trail that was a 2/5 2 years ago may be washed out and rutted now and it’s really a 4/5. Also, I’ve noticed that some off road parks don’t update their information often to reflect current conditions. Maybe ask about a specific trail you’re interested in here on the forum, chances are that someone can help you out.

 

[Odyssey USA]

As mentioned, trail conditions can change but one neat site (I went ahead and signed up for it) is trailsoffroad.com. You can ask about the trail from the author who described between each waypoint using pictures. Many have YouTube videos as well. Maybe check that site out and see if it has what you’re looking for which it sounds the same as what I wanted with my Sahara.

 

[sourdough]

Very important IMO to join a local 4x4 club. You will find members with great info as to your area. FYI, most good California Clubs require dual membership, Cal4Wheel has a roster of excllent clubs throughout the state. Clubs will get you into the front row seat of a lot of fun.

 

[jlopes68]

The ratings are more for the driver than the rig. A stock jeep can go just about anywhere.

 

[jessedacri]

I'm searching around for some resources to understand trail ratings, and get a sense of my Jeep's capabilities.

Long story short - a Rubicon wasn't in my price range, and my new JL is going to be a daily driver, so I'm not looking to lift it too much or put massive tires on it. I got the Willys Edition because of the rock rails, LSD, and the M/T tires, with the hope of getting onto some SoCal trails. But now, I'm looking at various guides with green/blue/red indications and other ratings systems, and trying to make some calls what my Willys can actually handle without big lifts, lockers, and unlocked sway bars.

Anyone have any good resources?

AllTrails allows you to sort results for off road driving trails only, that’s how I got started. It doesn’t have every trail but it’s got most of em, with reviews, difficulty ratings and photos for many. Also gives a live map so you can follow the trail in real-time and not end up on another route.


If you’re in the SoCal / LA area try Cleghorn and Pilot Rock first. They’re next to each other so you can run them in sequence, and they’re a lot of fun. Good challenges but each one is bypassable with a main, easy fire road the whole way through if you want to bail out of any of them. I’ve taken a Sahara through every obstacle tho.

I also recommend Rowher flats 4x4 trail but it’s been closed due to rain and seems like it’s gonna be that way for awhile. That was my first trail in my Jeep and my buddy’s Sahara.


Trailsoffroad.com has great write ups as well:
https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/1049-3n16-holcomb-valley

Holcomb valley road is a good (easy) adventure through the mountains with tons of spots to camp, and connections to all of the famous big bear area trails, some of which can be very challenging (three of them are Jeep Badge of Honor trails) and require upgraded rigs. Fun in the snow.

And finally when it’s open again you must try Sandstone Canyon in Anza Borrego. Give that one a search in alltrails, it’ll come up as “sandstone canyon via fish creek wash” - some of the most breathtaking trail driving I’ve experienced in the region.

I’ve got a 2 door rubicon myself, but I’ve done every one of these trails in my buddy’s 4 door Sahara before I bought mine, which has similar equipment to the willys. We’ve gotten the Sahara through every one of these trails with no issue, just a little creativity here and there.

 

[KSwilly]

I got a good lesson in all of this last night. I’m still alive!

The good: I completed my first trail! (15 mile Cleghorn Ridge in SoCal.) This was listed in YouTube videos and books as more of a fire road than a Jeep trail, with optional offshoots that are more challenging than the main road. I found the main road plenty fun, and not what I would call a fire road. Tons of washouts, definitely needed 4L for parts of it. I have a new appreciation for what this magical machine can do stock! Used the automatic hill descent function in parts. Lots of loose rock, some mud here and there. One spot had us on 3 wheels for a moment. Nothing terrifying but some areas that I had to seriously think about before proceeding. The Willys handled it like a champ.

The Bad:

the Fire Road was in far WORSE shape than any of the videos or the trail descriptions showed. Deep ruts, lotta rocks. I was expecting a pretty relaxed, fast trip, and it took about 2hrs longer than I expected, finishing off in the dark. Didn’t rush though - had that beat into me when I drove a Bronco II years ago off-roading. EDIT: it may be possible we took some of the more challenging sections by mistake. Either way, I’m impressed with how the Jeep handles it, and can’t believe I was considering a Outback!

The Stupid:

We (myself and two teenagers) did this solo, late in the afternoon, without a lot of self-recovery tools. Dumb dumb dumb - call it “go fever”! Up near the Cleghorn Summit, clouds started rolling in, kissing the peak and hitting us with fog and wind. That was when it really sunk in - we all hear the stories of people getting stuck out there, but that made it very real. I was prepared for an overnight if we needed -I always have a go bag with thermal blankets and emergency water and rations, but it still could’ve been a miserable night. Bare minimum, a winch and some recovery boards to compliment my shovel are a must, and I am definitely looking forward to joint a group for future exploration.

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