Island4x4.com - Offcial Trail Rating System

Island4x4's Official Trail Rating System

Trail Rating Guide

The rating system below is the one adopted by the COHVC and is used for Colorado trails:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Severe conditions. Extreme caution recommended. Impassable by stock vehicles. Winching required. Trail building necessary. May be impassable. Impassable under anything but ideal conditions. Vehicle damage probable. Personal injury possible. Extreme caution necessary.

Administrator's notes:

Water Crossings

It is advisable to stay clear of creek crossings or any water crossings for that matter. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has made it clear that they are prepared to press charges against those who are caught crossing bodies of water with motorized vehicles. Island4x4 does not allow the posting of pictures depicting water crossings on the message board.

Trail Invites

In order for others to understand what kind of trail you are inviting them to run, and for them to be able to make a determination as to whether they and/or their vehicle is prepared for it, I recommend that you use this trail rating system in your invites. Use a rating number (or copy&paste the description) that best describes the trail(s) you plan to run, and make any notes that differ from the rating's description.

Preparation

*All vehicles traveling in the backcountry should have the following:

First Aid Kit
Warm clothes
Appropriate clothing and footwear for the season
Food and water
Survival kit (may include matches, survival blanket, fishing line and hook, flashlight, etc.)
Spare tire, an appropriate jack (48"-60" Jackall, Tiger Jack or High-Lift) and tire iron
Spare parts
Tools
Tug strap
Tow strap
Recovery Chain
Adequate fuel and spare fluids etc.
CB
FSR (optional)
Flares
Winch (recommended)
Come-a-long

*Look for a complete list of must-haves and recommendations coming soon...

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Please contact me at admin@island4x4.com for any inquiries regarding the use of material obtained from this site.