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Trail Difficulty
Ratings 1- 5 |
Joes Ratings for MBS
2007 |
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Description |
Rating |
Description |
Examples |
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Graded dirt road. Dry, or
less than 3" water crossing depth. Gentle grades. 2WD
under all conditions except snow. No width problems, two
vehicles wide. |
1 |
You can drive the mini-van
down it most of the year |
Highway 70 |
|
Dirt road. Dry, or less than
3" water crossing depth. Some ruts. Slight grades, up to
10 degrees. 2WD under most conditions. Rain or snow may
make 4WD necessary. Usually one and a half to two
vehicles wide. |
1.5 |
Sometimes, it would be nice
if the mini-van had AWD. |
Highway 191 into Moab |
|
Dirt road. Rutted, washes,
or gulches. Water crossings up to 6" depth. Passable
mud. Grades up to 10 degrees. Small rocks or holes. 4WD
recommended but 2WD possible under good conditions and
with adequate ground clearance and skill. No width
problems for any normal vehicle. Vehicle passing spots
frequently available if less than two vehicles wide. |
2 |
An Aerostar minivan can
drive it in all but the worst weather. |
The driveway into the Moab
Oasis Campground |
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Rutted and/or rocky road. No
shelves but rocks to 9". Water crossings usually less
than hub deep. Passable mud. Grades moderate, up to 15
degrees. Side hill moderate up to 15 degrees. 4WD under
most conditions. No width problems, vehicle passing
spots frequently available if less than two vehicles
wide. |
2.5 |
An AWD Aerostar minivan can
drive it in all but the worst weather. |
|
|
Rutted and/or rocky road. No
shelves. Rocks up to 12" and water crossings up to 12"
with possible currents. Passable mud. Moderate grades to
15 degrees. 6" holes. Side hill to 20 degrees. 4WD
required. No width problems. |
3 |
At least one L/S, 32" or so
tires, body damage not likely, fun easy run. Usually
scenic, take some pics and enjoy them. |
Sevenmile Rim |
|
Quite rocky or deep ruts.
Rocks to 12" and frequent. Water crossings may exceed
hub depth with strong currents. Shelves to 6". Mud may
require checking before proceeding. Moderate grades to
20 degrees. Sidehill may approach 30 degrees. 4WD
necessary and second attempts may be required with stock
vehicles. Caution may be required with wider vehicles. |
3.5 |
L/S both front and rear will
get you through it. 33" or so tires, specific tire
placement may be needed to avoid damage. |
Fins and Things |
|
Rocks frequent and large,
12" and may exceed hub height. Holes frequent or deep
(12"). Shelves to 9". Mud 8" deep and may be present on
uphill sections. Grades to 25 degrees and sidehill to 30
degrees. Water crossings to 18" and may have strong
currents. 1-1/2 vehicles wide. 4WD required. Driver
experience helpful. |
4 |
At least one rear locker and
a L/S front. Spotting may be required. If an
inexperienced driver ASK for help, it's easier on all of
us in the long run. |
Metal Masher, Rusty Nail,
Gold Bar Rim, Cliff Hanger, Steel Bender |
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Heavy rock and/or severe
ruts. Rocks exceeding hub height frequent. Shelves to
12". Deep mud or uphill mud sections. Steep grades to 25
degrees and can be loose or rocky. Water crossings may
exceed 30" in depth. Side hill to 30 degrees. One
vehicle wide. Body damage possible. Experience needed.
Vehicle Modifications helpful. |
4.5 |
At least one rear locker and
a L/S front and the willingness to accept body damage.
33" tires. Some places (Moab Rim) may be scary due to
potential death. |
Moab Rim, Hells Revenge |
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Severe rock over 15".
Frequent deep holes over 15". Shelves over 15". Mud bog
conditions (long, deep, no form bottom). Over 30" water
crossings with strong currents. Steep grades over 30
degrees. Sidehill over 30 degrees. May not be passable
by stock vehicles. Experience essential. Body damage,
mechanical breakdown, rollover probable. Extreme caution
required. |
5 |
Two full time lockers and
the willingness to accept body damage. 36"tires,
winching likely. Off camber and sharp drops likely. |
Pickle, Prichett, Behind the
Rocks, |
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Trail CANNOT be driven the
whole way. Winching is required in at least one point on
the trail. Water crossings may exceed 2-½ feet in depth.
Grades exceeding 40 degrees. The biggest rocks with off
camber situations exceeding 35 degrees. Rollovers
possible. Usually only suitable for short wheel base
vehicles (under 105" wheelbase), winch, 33" minimum
tires, (35" or larger preferred), 3" to 5" of lift,
gearing of 60 to 1 (30 to 1 for automatics) or lower in
first gear, low range, and hard locker in both front and
rear axles probably required. Axle upgrades highly
recommended. Speed continuously under one mph. A day run
is typically one mile in length. These trails are
typically very hard on tires. One spare probably
required, two spares recommended. Plug kit and/or tubes
recommended. Tires with sufficient sidewall protection (Boggers,
Swampers, etc.) recommended. 50% or greater chance of
body damage. 50% or greater chance of major mechanical
failure. Breakage is usually due to excessive torque or
torque spikes on axles or steering components. Only
world class, experienced (5 years +) drivers with extra
money, parts & energy to repair broken vehicles need
apply. |
5+ |
A really good driver/spotter
combination required to avoid excessive body damage.
Lockers front and rear, hydraulic assist steering, 38+"
tires needed. Narrow is better. Great approach and
departure angles needed. |
Coyote, Upper Helldorado,
Britney Spears, most of Area BFE
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