These are the guidelines we have found to be helpful on a typical club outing. They are simple rules, not intended to restrict your fun, but rather act as a reminder. If these rules are followed, it will increase everyone’s enjoyment of four-wheeling and camping, and will provide a measure of safety for you and your family, and club members.
- Please keep your speed low within camp areas (10mph).
- When traveling with other vehicles, keep a safe distance from each other. These rigs typically don’t stop as fast as a ricky-racer sports car.
- Obey the Trail Boss as to the rules for the trip. Often you are in a national forest, state park or on private property. Destruction of plants, turf, trail conditions etc. is to be avoided.
- Drinking alcohol by the driver or a passenger on the trail is not allowed. Rangers can hand out DUI the same as CHP. DMV rules apply while driving on club runs.
- If you leave the group, inform the trail boss or someone on the run.
- Outdoor bathroom stops may be handled by “Men to the left, Women to the right”. Easy way to remember is women are always right.
- Overnight camping courtesy towards your fellow campers should be maintained regarding noise, campfires and pets; pets and kids should be under control at all times.
- All members and guests must be aware of these rules and abide by them.
- “What you carry in – you carry out”. Provide a sack or container for your own trash..
- Keep camp fires to a reasonable size. Be sure fires are completely out when leaving an area.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR CLUB RUNS
ALL club runs require:
- a working CB radio (we use channel 4 on the trail)
- suitable jack or Hi-Lift jack to change a flat tire
- fire extinguisher
- recovery equipment; tow hooks tied to frame, tow strap, and D-ring shackles, choker chain, etc.
- spare tire (with air), tire wrench, etc.
- typical mechanics hand tools
For trails rated 3 and above the following is highly recommended:
Spare parts, tools, spark plugs, fluids (brake fluid, gear oil, motor oil and coolant), spare gasoline, radiator sealant, electrical spares, fuses, electrical wire, universal electrical connectors, electrical tape, and a knowledge of vehicle mechanics. Members must be self-sustaining.
TRAIL RATINGS AND HAZARDS INCLUDING GENERAL INFORMATION
Trail Difficulty
The Trail Difficulty component of the Rating System describes the challenges found on a trail and is a general indication of the skill required to safely complete the trail. Use this section to get a better understanding of the terrain of a trail.
Rating Description and Conditions
1 Fire Roads: Paved or gravel road with pot holes and/or gravel with washboard. A passable road with a standard high clearance vehicle. Forest Service fire roads would fit this category.
2 Desert Roads/Trails: Dirt road with some steep hills, pot holes, loose sand, rocks, mud. Narrow trails with mild rock gardens, bowling-ball size rocks. Typical of Panamint Valley dirt roads and our Adopt-A-Trail (Sourgrass).
3 Mountain Trails: Large scattered rocks, loose sand and soil, moderate off-camber. Large rock piles, steep switch backs with rocks, narrow trails. Niagara Rim trail and Deer Valley would fall into this category.
4 Challenging Trails: Stair steps (1-2′ tall steps), slick rock, some off camber slopes, very steep loose hills, deep water crossings and mud. Flops and roll-overs possible if not paying attention. MOAB and Dusy come to mind.
5 Extreme Trails: Long steep climbs, loose silt, large rocks throughout trail, steep off-cambers, big pucker factor, winching and changing your underwear likely. Body damage and carnage easily possible, trail repairs may be necessary. Deep water crossing, deep mud, tight passes, etc. This is Rubicon and Fordyce country, bring spare parts or stay home.
Trail Hazards
The Trail Hazard component of the Rating System describes the risk of damage inherent in attempting a trail. Use this section to get a better understanding of the risks associated with a trail.
Rating Description
1 Typical driving (normal risk involved) on paved or dirt roads. Minimal danger due to relatively flat wide trails. Good traction.
2 Narrow trails, steeper loose climbs, reduced traction. moderate climbs and descents. Reduced traction and the risk of getting stuck in mud, sand, or water.
3 Mountain Trails with increased risk of flopping over large rocks, getting stuck, winching may be required due to loose dirt, mud, water crossings, including off-camber passes and narrow trails. Traction limited in some places. At least one locker required, may lose a tire bead.
4 Some risk of damage due to steeper hills, very narrow cliff-side trails. High risk of flopping over on side due to extremely steep and narrow climbs. Winch required as well as minimum of one locker, preferably two lockers.
5 Likely body damage and broken parts with lifted and locked vehicle. Considerable off-camber in multiple directions. Extreme rock climbing requiring possible external help to stabilize vehicle. Two lockers and a clean pair of underwear required, and spare parts.
NOTES: Each successive category may include components of any level preceding it.
Sample Ratings
| TRAIL |
TRAIL DIFFICULTY |
TRAIL HAZARDS |
NOTES |
| Rubicon |
5 |
4 |
Steep slabs, rocks & off-camber |
| Fordyce |
5 |
5 |
Water-crossing can be very deep |
| Dusy/Ershim |
3 |
4 |
Large rocks, challenging trail |
| SwampLake |
5 |
4 |
Large rocks, challenging trail |
| Hollister Hills SVRA |
2-3 |
2-5 |
Steep climbs in loose silt, cliffs along edges of many trails. Easy to difficult trail system. |
| Mini-Rubicon (at Hollister) |
4 |
4 |
High-clearance vehicles only |
| PismoBeach |
2 |
3 |
Steep slopes, vertical walls, lack of visibility |
| Bald Mountain |
3 |
3 |
Some granite stair steps, mountain trail |
| Frank Raines |
2 |
2 |
Off-camber areas, loose sandy soil |
| DeerValley |
3 |
3 |
steep climbs in loose rocky silt/rocks |
| BarrettLake |
4 |
3 |
Large rocks |
| SupriseCanyon– closed |
5 |
4 |
Slick wet waterfalls – CLOSED |
| Clear Creek |
3 |
3 |
Loose sand/silt |
| MOAB |
5 |
4 |
Slick Rock, loose sandy soil, rocks, climbs, etc. |