Trail Ratings

As the Jeep event season looms closer, and winter-bound Jeepers start licking their chops over the trail selections of various 4-wheeling events around the country, I find the ever-sticky trail rating questions frequently crossing my path:

"Can my Jeep make it through the _____ trail?"

"What's a good moderate trail to do at _____?"

"What's the most fun trail at ______?"

As most of you already know, the askee cannot adequately answer any of these questions without acquiring a slew of other information from the asker: "How is your Jeep set up?", "What's your definition of moderate?", and "Is your idea of fun an easy scenic jaunt, or a heart-pounding steel-crushing rock fest?"

But beyond those subjective conversations is a larger befuddlement in the entire 4-wheeling world:

There is NO universal trail rating system.

In Arizona, we have used a 0-5 scale for a long time, with 0 being paved road, and 5 being impassable to any vehicle that ever rolled off a factory line. And we throw around terms like "easy" or "beginner" to "adventurous" or "extreme". Utah (specifically, Moab) has gone to a fairly well-defined 1-10 scale that categorizes anything in the 9 or 10 rating as buggy class only, relegating those of us in originally factory-built rigs, no matter how modified, to the 1-8 trails only. But to confuse matters further, Colorado and California use a 1-10 scale that makes trails like the famous Rubicon an 8-10 on their scale (the same trail might be a 6 or 7 on the Moab scale).

Then factor in that trails like Black Bear Pass near Ouray CO--the trail is actually very easy to drive--would barely rate a 4 or a "moderate" on the scenic Jeepers scale, except for that one little sticky fact about the narrow shelf road and excrutiatingly tight switchbacks with a sheer drop off of hundreds of feet promising certain death if you screw up by just a few inches--how do you calculate that HUGE intimidation factor into a trail rating?

Ask two different wheelers about the rating of a particular trail, and you will get two entirely different replies. For example, take a trail I will call "Bad Deal"--if you ask my friend Rick, whose Jeep has no straight sheet metal, a full roll cage, and carries crash helmets for its passengers, Rick will tell you that Bad Deal is a really easy trail. If you ask a recent client of mine, Jim, with a shiny stock 2011 Grand Cherokee, he would say it was impassable--that it wasn't a "trail" at all. The truth? In the rental and 4x4 instruction business, we would call this trail difficult or extreme, because it does take an aggressive 4wd with a driver who can make some good line choices to be able to make it through without damage beyond a few brush scratches and a little exercise of the skid plates. But, in the rock crawling world, this trail is barely a speed bump, and you have to go out of your way to make it interesting.

With all of this said, how can you properly choose a trail? Read, research, ask...Ask detailed questions of a knowledgable person you trust, or, at the very least, ask a variety of people and hope the truth will reveal itself in the averages (online forums are great for that!). Other good sources of info are local clubs, 4x4 shops in the area of your intended trails (and good people to know ahead of time in case you need some repairs), Jeep or ATV rental shops, and sometimes you get lucky and find a knowledgeable trail person at the local BLM or USFS Ranger Station.

But, what do you ask in order to get a true picture of what you are trying to get yourself into?

As an instructor, I address this with clients, and advise them to ask detailed questions about trails they are considering, such as:

"What size are the biggest rocks I will have to surmount? Labrador-sized? Volkswagon?"

"How tall are the ledges? Are they easy, rounded steps, or 90-degree steps?"

"What is the trail surface like? Sand? Sandstone? Slippery shale?"

"Are there bypasses for the harder obstacles on that particular trail?"

And, if you have particular fears or interests, ask about those too:

"How wide are the shelf roads?"

"How steep are the sidehills or inclines?"

"Is there adequate trail to pass other vehicles or stop for pictures?"

"Are there (ruins, mines, historic sites, etc.?"

And, last, but not least, don't forget to plan to get in and get out comfortably:

"How far to the nearest gas station to the trailhead? Closest air?"

"What about bathroom breaks...facilities at trailhead or just plenty of shrubs near the trail?"

"Closest place to pickup lunch/snacks/drinks on the way?"

Remember--the only dumb question is the one you didn't ask.

Happy trails!

Photo details:

Red XJ on "Bad" Deal during a Wheeling 101 with AZVJC

1-10 Moab scale from Red Rock 4-Wheelers

6-trail with red Jeep photo from JeepTrailInfo.com

"Everything is NOT going to be okay" sticker is located just above the "oh crap" strap on Lance K's rig (aka "The Raisin" formerly known as a TJ).

Maps and Route Planning

With warmer weather just around the corner (according to the groundhog), now is a good time to go through all the stuff you need to prepare for a fun and safe 4x4 excursion. The topic today is MAPS.

One of the questions I am asked the most is "What's a good map to buy?" The challenge is that there is no one map source for everything everywhere. I have shelves full of maps, atlases and software for exploring where I may be headed. I recommend that you check with at least three different sources for current information about where you plan to visit. I will share some of my favorites, but they may not have editions available in your area. If nothing else, it may help you to research what you DO need and find something published for your region. Possible sources should or could include:

An atlas is a good place to start for trail exploring. They won't give much detail on the condition of the roads, or even represent every tiny side trail out there, but they will give you a general lay of the land and usually better detail on all main access roads than the local land use maps. They will also represent different land status boundaries: Forest Service, BLM, private property, state trust land, reservation, etc. My favorite series is the Delorme Atlas & Gazeteer, available at Amazon and many local retailers. These measure approximately 11"x16", and open up to 2-pages per view, for a good studying size!

I use National Geographic TOPO software to review terrain, load my GPS, and print for reference. The State editions give the best detail. Keep in mind that some of these surveys date back to the 60's, so roads may or may not exist as indicated--use the data for topographical reference and navigation. Available at http://www.natgeomaps.com/topo.html

As you get closer to deciding where you plan to explore, invest in the maps produced by your local land use management, like US Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management (Coconino National Forest, shown above). All of them will have maps printed with current legal roads, but most of them will only show main access roads, not the more desirable Jeep roads. In more popular recreational areas, more detailed maps may be available from the land management office (aka ranger station or visitor center):

Find the Verde Valley Recreation map and other local information here: http://www.redrockcountry.org/maps/index.shtml

In very well-known recreational areas, there are usually a variety of retail maps produced to meet the demand for trail information. These providers are usually locals who know the lay of the land very well, and ONLY that local area:

I love Latitude 40 maps for Western Colorado and Eastern Utah, available at http://2pedal.com/publisher/latitude-40%C2%B0-maps-inc

In the western US, we are blessed with some very dedicated authors for creating trail books that include not only maps, but driving tips, points of interest, and give a comprehensive overview for driving the particular trails. The most consistent author for the Southwest US is Charles Wells with his Backroads and 4-wheel-drive Trails series, available at: http://www.funtreks.com/

You can always try http://www.jeeptrailinfo.com/trails_maps.html for very detailed individual trail maps that you can download and print instantly, but the site has limited trails of the southwest, and the author seems to be too busy Jeeping, instructing, and writing about maps, than actually producing more of them (wink).

And, no matter how much good printed material is available, conditions can and do change, and the burden of responsibility is on YOU as the trail user, not the map printer or the land use management. Always check with local 4x4 clubs or 4wd shops about current conditions. Many of them won't be willing to tell you where the trails are, but if you know where you are going, they will be happy to give you condition updates. Each state has an association of 4-wheel-drive clubs--google it, then find a club in the area you are visiting.

If you are ever in Sedona, stop by or call our shop for local trail conditions: www.barlowjeeprentals.com

Happy trails!

Wet Weather 4-wheeling Tips

With the first round of nasty winter weather across the region, it's time to brush off our winter driving skills:

The first tip is not about how to drive, but whether going out is the "right" thing at all. Etiquette is what we do when others are looking, ethics is what we do when no one is around. Consider the urgency of your trip: Wet roads may not be impassable, especially for experienced drivers, but driving on them may tear up the roads and trails unnecessarily, not to mention risk mud and water damage to your Jeep. Some mild trails can become very slimy and slippery, even for expert 4-wheelers. In general, we recommend AGAINST using trails during wet weather unless you absolutely have no other choice. Do the right thing.

With regard to water crossings: A good guideline for flooding streams is "If you cannot see the bottom, do NOT cross." If you cross, do so slowly--don't splash. And don't forget to thoroughly assess the condition of the bank on the far side.

With regard to slippery terrain: Most of the time, steady and fluid corrections are usually the key to successfully traversing nasty terrain. If you make sudden changes to steering, throttle or brakes on wet or icy terrain, you will very quickly come to understand what we mean by "breaking the tenuous threshold of traction." A little blip of the throttle is a good thing when your back end starts trying to pass your front end, but the most important thing to remember is to keep your tires pointed in the direction you are sliding or leaning. By keeping your tires under you in the direction gravity and inertia is moving you, the better steering control and anti-rollover influence you will have.

There are some very important things you should know about driving down steep hills at any time, but especially when conditions are wet:

1. You don't want (or need) to start DOWN a hill with ANY momentum--gravity will get you down. CREEEEEEP off the top of hills.

2. You want to go STRAIGHT down steep hills, not turn your tires any direction but straight down the hill. Many inexperienced drivers' tendency is to turn the tires away from the slide, and then they just flop over.

3. NEVER use lockers going downhill. Lockers only work when you are using the throttle. Lockers downhill only make it difficult to steer and harder on your front axle.

4. Don't lock up the brakes. If you lock up the brakes, you are just going to slide, and you are risking snapping an axle when you hit a rock. If you start to slide, ease up on the brakes a little to regain some steering control.

Always remember that your safety comes first. If it's nasty out, don't go looking for trouble!

Here is my blog post from last year for on- and off-road driving tips: http://trailwiseusa.blogspot.com/2010/01/winter-driving-on-and-off-pavement.html

Watch some of my favorite wet weather 4-wheeling videos--some luck and lots of skill involved...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF0bc6i2HDs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DboX5D2wmg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNvrKmnjqHA

Yesterday we did our annual Mingus Fall Color Jeep run. Colors are just getting started, with red Sawtooth Maples, golden Arizona Black Walnuts, and some sycamores and cottonwoods just starting. Great trail!

Mostly easy, with spectacular views, a couple "Jeepy" spots, and some cool mining history.

A few of us then ventured over to the Woodchute Trail--a little Jeepier, a little thicker vegetation to deal with, some more views and old Jerome history...

To purchase instant download printable PDF maps of these trails, visit: www.JeepTrailInfo.com

Driving tip: Use 4L as soon as you start up the canyon on Mingus Mountain, and right from the start of Woodchute. A few of our rigs with tranny temp gauges were getting very hot--using your 4L allows the transfer case to pull some of the load and NOT cook your tranny. Real men DO use 4L!

Eliminate "Off-Road" Abuse!

That should get everyone's attention! :D What I am actually referring to is the overuse of the term "off road" as opposed to "off highway", "off pavement", or "4-wheeling". For as long as I can remember, the recreational sport of 4-wheeling has been called "off-roading", as in "Hey, y'all, let's load up the Jeep and spend the weekend offroading!" Somewhere along the way, the legal definition of "OFF road" came to mean when you are NOT on an established public thoroughfare.

As a group, those of us who engage in the use of unpaved roads and trails for recreation need to update our vocabulary to more legally accurate terms, and here is why: I frequently experience incidents where a mere misunderstanding of each party's definitions have caused unnecessary conflict and confusion.

For example, when a local Forest Service district announced they were considering eliminating all off-road use, the local Jeep club came unglued, until the fine print was reviewed, revealing that what was actually proposed was the elimination of allowing people to drive off of the established trails onto virgin terrain--our favorite 4-wheeling trails were not actually in peril (that time).

Another common confusion I encounter is in the Jeep rental business. We frequently have guests tell us "I'm not sure if my insurance covers me off road," to which we reply "That's fine since you aren't actually going off road today." Then we explain it: The legal definition of "off road" by land management agencies and insurance companies is "off of an established public thoroughfare." When a ranger or insurance adjuster says "off road", what they mean is "were you on a named and/or numbered, identifiably established trail?" Even trails like Smasher Canyon and Broken Arrow are officially-recognized public thoroughfares--legally, you are "ON road".

Therefore, I have been trying to catch myself whenever I say "off-road" and changing it to "4-wheeling", "off-highway", "trail riding" or " rock crawling". I should also mention that the term "trail" in Forest Service-ese means hiking, so mindful of that, too. Sheesh!

Bottom line: stay off of the topsoil, ask about the local rules, and don't be afraid to ask for clarification.

Happy trails!

Full Moon Run

With clear skies and warm nights this time of year in Arizona, a full moon run or two is expected from our local 4-wheeling gang. Full moon runs offer a different nature of trail excursion: the excitement of being out after dark, nearly traffic-free trails, the opportunity to see different wildlife, and the contrast of driving a well-known trail in totally different light conditions.

Photo credit: Steve Beinhorn

If you think you want to plan or attend a full moon run, here are a few things to contemplate for a night-wheeling trip:

1. When selecting a trail, it is best to use a trail that you know VERY well. The lack of daylight changes everything. In Sedona, we often use Broken Arrow for full moon runs, but I know many people who have become lost up there after dark, even if they had run the trail several times before. The black tire marks on the steep drops and sudden turns may be visible in daylight, but disappear at night. Headlights go straight--they don't turn corners. If you are running a rock trail, it is best to use a trail that you have a personal relationship with each rock on that trail. Dirt trails are easier to navigate, since they often have distinctive wheel ruts in the dirt terrain.
2. It's dark. What if someone breaks a tie-rod, pops a tire, or drops their eye glasses? Have a selection of lighting options with fresh batteries. It is fun to plan a 20-30 minute full-dark stop, where everyone camps out at an overlook without ANY lights on--as your eyes adjust to the dark, it will seem like the full moon is almost as bright as daylight, and, although I don't recommend it, some folks have been known to drive without headlights for portions of the trail on especially clear full moon nights.

3. Caution everyone about being extra careful when OUT of the vehicles, too. Even with flashlights, the human eye loses the three-dimensional advantage at night, and, unfortunately, I have seen multiple instances of sprained ankles, broken wrists, and scraped knees from spectators on full moon runs.

4. Stay sharp. It's dark, our natural go-to-sleep time. Mental and physical fatigue are the biggest contributors to accidents any time of day. Don't drink alcohol, but do stay hydrated with water or sports drinks, and snacks, too.

5. Keep things calm. Remember that the novelty of this event is the beauty of the full moon night--this is not the type of run to push your limits on the optional obstacles. Doing vehicle recovery at night, in the rain, and/or while tired complicates things exponentially.

Have fun and happy trails!

Enjoy the trip!

This past Saturday, I ventured out onto Diamondback Gulch. It's a moderate Jeep trail in West Sedona that is not nearly as well known as Broken Arrow, Soldier Pass, or Schnebly Hill. In fact, on busy Saturdays, it's one of those trails you take because you know there will only be a few folks out there. But on this Saturday, there were countless tour Jeeps and three different 4x4 clubs on this mere 6-mile trail. What is usually a casual two-hour excursion was a harried 3-hour stop, wait, and back-up game.

With Spring Breaks starting all across the west this week, traffic snarls and manic visitors are the expected fare in tourism towns all over, both on and off pavement. This carries over onto even our most exclusive 4-wheeling Jeep trails. A few reminders:

#1. Safety comes first--no matter how late you may be to whatever appointment or next scheduled activity, it's never worth the safety of you or your family to hurry: stay calm, pay attention (no texting or taking pictures while driving), don't rush. There are way too many other harried people out there this time of year. Stay alert!

#2. Educate yourself--call ahead to your destination or next activity to find out what the weather conditions are, what road construction snarls you may be able to avoid, or what alternate activities or timing could better suit your needs to help you avoid peak traffic. Most business operators are happy to help direct visitors to a time frame that will be better for everyone. Some Jeep trails are busier certain days of the week or time of day. Some road construction snags can be avoided by alternate routes or different times of day.

#3. Have fun! Remember why you are out there--to enjoy the natural beauty of your surroundings, and share a fun experience with friends and loved ones. Plan some extra time in case of unplanned snags in your schedule--have snacks or activities for kids ready. Make the best of whatever situation you encounter. Keep everything in perspective and ENJOY your trip.

Happy trails!