Trail ratings....

crash2 · Jul 14, 2009

This always make for an interesting discussion...

But I have been thinking of this..

Now here is my take on it--three levels.

Experiance

Moderate

Novice

Now within each of those 3 groups you can also have suggested vehicle options, like lockers/winchs and ect.....

nate8887 · Jul 14, 2009

So what would OM be rated ? I think it there should be four

Buggy Suggested

Experianced

Moderate

Easy

nevada · Jul 14, 2009

it would be nice if washington state went to a trail(rating) system.
they would save tons of money. and we would have better trails.

why is it other states can make it work, and we cant?

nate8887 · Jul 14, 2009

We do have a trail rating system.

Boonie Buster · Jul 14, 2009

I think those terms are better used for rating a Driver than a Trail. :eeek:

(should just be rated like Naches only maybe a little more, hate to say it "hardcore-ish")

Should be 4 categories Easy, Moderate, Hard, Extreme.

But I'd say:

Experienced - 38" plus, lockers both ends, body damage to be expected, winch required, etc.

Moderate - One locker, maybe a winch, 33-37" minimum. some body damage

Novice - Family oriented, 32" tire max, open diffs, full-size rig possible, no body damage, minimal risk trail

nevada · Jul 14, 2009

nate8887 said:
We do have a trail rating system.

we dont have a trail system.

and only SOME are rated. its not consistant at all.

nate8887 · Jul 14, 2009

here look at the legend

crash2 · Jul 14, 2009

Boonie Buster said:
I think those terms are better used for rating a Driver than a Trail. :eeek:

But I'd say:

Experienced - 38" plus, lockers both ends, body damage to be expected, winch required, etc.

Moderate - One locker, maybe a winch, 33-37" minimum. some body damage

Easy - Family oriented, 32" tire max, open diffs, full-size rig possible, no body damage, minimal risk trail

I think rating a driver is more apropriet with vehicle options within each raiting.

This goes back to other discussions about well built rigs to good/bad drivers. A new driver in a well built rig can easily get into trouble more than an experianced driver in--lets say a moderately built rig.

nate8887 · Jul 14, 2009

Yes but in this I would say I am an experianced driver but don't want to beat my rig on a trail that is purpose built for a buggy

TreeClimber · Jul 14, 2009

modify to your own taste

Boonie Buster · Jul 14, 2009

crash said:
I think rating a driver is more apropriet with vehicle options within each raiting.

This goes back to other discussions about well built rigs to good/bad drivers. A new driver in a well built rig can easily get into trouble more than an experianced driver in--lets say a moderately built rig.

Ya, that's what i'm concerned about with this thread and i think you know it too. :; Too many variables...

TreeClimber · Jul 14, 2009

here's another one, this one's more serious than funny

Notice how it's related to skiing, or mountain biking, but you can see the progression.

We had significant and serious conversations at the Elbe meetings (which I attended for a four or so meetings during the crap about closing Elbe awhile back)... anyhow, it doesn't matter how you 'catagorize' the trails. The underprepared and underexperienced drivers/rigs will still attempt too difficult of a trail. They are too ignorant, too stuborn, too drunk, too foolish, to 'don't give a damn' to turn back. There's a classic thread here on NWW a few years ago about Jon & Rich and some idiot in a full size on the Busywild. You just can't stop stoooopid. So you can catagorize the trails, but you cannot 'limit' the useage.

Personally, I think Moab does it best. They go in levels of 1 to 5 (with a 5+ on a couple). I'll see if I can find on the Red Rock Wheeler's club pages there trail descriptions.

nate8887 · Jul 14, 2009

Overall I think if you put the 3 Main trail ratings on the trails most drivers will be able to decide for themselves just like elbe tahuya naches and evans.

CHOP SHOP · Jul 14, 2009

it should be a level 1-5 system.

1 being easiest
5 being hardest

No recomendations, no restrictions, no BS, just a comparison system.

nate8887 · Jul 14, 2009

1-5 sounds real simple and good

TreeClimber · Jul 14, 2009

Guess they changed ratings in Jan 08

Years ago we started a difficulty rating system with numbers 1 through 4. It evolved to add 4+ for the very hardest trails and to add finer gradations (

nate8887 · Jul 14, 2009

TreeClimber said:
Years ago we started a difficulty rating system with numbers 1 through 4. It evolved to add 4+ for the very hardest trails and to add finer gradations (

nevada · Jul 14, 2009

1-5 would be fine in my DD. they would/should be considered easy.

Binder · Jul 14, 2009

Rain changes sand from difficult to easy, but changes clay from easy to impassable. Sandstone "slickrock" gives good traction when first wet, but after it is tracked with sand, it can be like driving on tiny ball bearings.

This is why the number system alone isn't much use. The trails here change drasticly with rain and snow. A detailed description is needed as well.