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Trail difficulty level is difficult to objectively assess. Our difficulty levels are more
oriented to the required equipment. The equipment described below is intended to reduce the likelihood of damage, dragging, or getting stuck. You can get a Camry through any
trail with enough winching and tolerance to damage. The equipment described is intended to prevent the run from being unpleasant or an ordeal. Of course at the higher levels you are
foregoing that expectation.
Our levels do not include a “fear factor”. A trail may be very scary for some people but have
a “Near Stock” rating of 1 or 2.
Also note that trails change from season to season. You don’t know exactly what you’ll find
until you get there.
A run leader may require additional special equipment (e.g. extra fuel, winch, etc.) for a
run. The run leader needs to specify any special equipment in the run announcement.
“Locker” as used below may be any type including:
A full time or selectable locker, limited slip (posi), Tru-trac, ARB, OX Lock or any other
mechanism that prevents wheel spin when one wheel loses traction.
I’m measuring “ground clearance” broadly at the center of the underside. For my JK that would be at the transfer case plate. The actual lowest point is the bottom of the differentials.
Next would be tie rod or axle tube. Adding a lift doesn’t change those latter numbers. The
actual benefit of a lift would discounted without measuring the central underside.
Level 1
Equipment
Stock SUV, pickup, Jeep. Ground clearance of 7″.
Trails
Graded truck trails.
Rocks generally less than 6 inches.
Slopes less than 15 degrees.
Otay Mtn TT (not Donohoe). Calcite Mine. Lower Coyote Canyon.
Level 1+
Equipment
Stock SUV, pickup, Jeep.
A/T tires or better.
Trails
Rougher graded truck trails.
Rocks generally less than 8 inches.
Slopes less than 20 degrees.
Grapevine. Kitchen Creek. Fred Valley. La Posta TT.
Level 2
Equipment
Stock JK is the reference.
Ground clearance 10″
32” tires (33″ for a 4 door)
Anti-sway Bar disconnect (solid axle vehicles)
Trails
Unimproved Jeep trails.
Individual rocks less than 14 inches. Arrays (gardens) less than 10″
Slopes less than 25 degrees.
Painted Gorge. Elliot Mine. Moab – Fins and Things. Mountain Springs. Chariot
Mtn/Oriflamme.
Level 2+
Equipment
Ground clearance 13″ (2″ lift, JK)
32” tires (33″ for a 4 door)
Anti-sway Bar disconnect.
1 locker.
Trails
Individual rocks less than 24 inches. Arrays (gardens) less than 12″
Slopes less than 30 degrees. (Slickrock up to 38 degrees.)
Mocogo Slide.
Level 3
Equipment
Ground clearance 14″. (3″ lift, JK)
35” tires (37″ for long wheelbase [JKU])
Anti-sway Bar disconnect.
2 lockers.
Trails
Superstition – Under the Ladder. Corral Canyon – Side Winder.
Level 3+
Equipment
Ground clearance 15″. (4″ lift, JK)
35” tires (37″ for long wheelbase [JKU])
Anti-sway Bar disconnect.
2 lockers.
Winch.
Trails
Level 4
Equipment
Ground clearance 17″. (6″ lift, JK. Probably long arm.)
37” tires (40″ for long wheelbase [JKU])
Anti-sway Bar disconnect.
2 lockers.
Winch.
Trails
Knock on Wood. Dusy Ershim.
Level 5
Custom built rock buggies.
Vehicles that arrive for a run without the equipment listed for the run difficulty rating
may be allowed to proceed at the leader’s discretion. However, if the vehicle repeatedly
delays the group because of inadequate equipment, the leader may ask the driver to
discontinue participation.