Utah - How much risk are you willing to take on a trail?

Going to try to use this as a guide to help decide on what type of trails would be acceptable for the group.

Just to make it clear, for the Rock trails, this is based more on your own vehicle and less about rock size (but had to do something as a reference point).

For Small Rock, you would have very low chance of hitting your diff, skid, or sliders, but there is the chance. (for me, that would be about like Forest Lake in American Fork)

For Medium Rock, you would have a high chance of touching, so with out sliders, that would mean panel damage. (for me, that would be about like Mineral Basin in American Fork)

For Large Rock, you would be on the rocks quite frequently. (for me, that would be about like Constrictor in 5 Mile Pass)

 

Well I'm not from Utah but I just went on a trail with 18"+ rocks and didn't get any damage with stock tires. So you guys should be okay with 12" rocks.


Just a few shots from are run.

 

I voted for rough dirt-no damage. I was also going to click on the "not from Utah" choice but those are the only meets I really go too!! Hey Greg are we taking this vote for Saturday? Or just in general?

 

Nice trail. Wish we had more like that around here.

Just so its clear for those yet to vote, from the looks of your pics, I would rate that as a medium on the list above based on your truck.

I'm kinda thinking along the lines of rock - medium would have a good chance of hitting sliders or frame, although very rarely, where large would require perfect spotting/path to get through, and even then you'd be touching at times. Of course all that varies from vehicle to vehicle, so its kinda hard to rate it with size of rocks, but I had to use some type of guide.

 

Back when I had my Cherokee I would go anywhere I could, even if that was between two trees that's width was less than that of my Jeep
Now I'm down to a 2 wheel drive 5-lugger and my 4 wheeling days are pretty much over. It was fun in high school, but now I just like the 4x4 look more than anything.

As far as my 5 lugger, I will test it's limits here and there because of property my family has, sometimes it can get pretty muddy. I'm not afraid to test my Taco, but not near as wreckless as when I had my Jeep

 

Well, both kinda.

I'm kinda under the impression that the majority here want zero risk for their vehicles, but Jan thinks I might just be over thinking it a bit and people are willing to do more than I think. So, instead of guessing what people are willing to do, I figure this will be a bit more definite. I'm hoping this can end up being a reference point for future trails as well, having the trail leader look to who signs up and match their name to how they voted (since it is a public poll).

 

X2 i would rate it as a medium as well there was some hard spots with 18" step ups and off camber situations but nothing a stock Tacoma couldn't do with careful spotting. the trail is rated at a 5 on a 1 to 10 scale.

 

I chickened out this week on the Klondike Bluffs road in Arches. I drove it this spring and enjoyed it. But after the heavy rains the past month or so and watching a Blazer and Expedition bottom out on the rocks and leave fluid at the very fist obstacle, I turned around and drove back into the main part of the park.

Also drove the Shafer Trail and out the White Rim a bit to Mussellman Arch. That was pretty cool. Fairly rough in spots, steep and with big penalty points if you can't stay on the road. There were plenty of signs of rain damage to lots of the off road areas.

 

I plan to go on the May trip and I plan to go on fairly nasty trails. My truck is lifted, large tired, and armored with heavy skid plates, sliders, and a rear bumper. I'll have the front bumper by the trip.

 

Not to be a party pooper but if you aren't intending to do some "real wheeling", why would you go to Moab with other people from a truck forum?

 

I like the medium risk. Only damage suffered so far was some from a retard kid hitting my bed with a four wheeler.

 

i'm also not from utah but i will still go on a trails that has medium rocks. put my rig to the test. well maybe not the hard but somewhere i know my rig can go. 4wd parts aren't cheap.

 

To all:
Well, last Sunday I managed to achieve a small dent in my Taco, partially due to over confident guidance (some young guys we met on the trail, good guides, but too acclimated their early 90's Toyota Pickup(?) with a massive lift and large tires), and partially due to my trust in them, despite my doubts, due to the formidable challenge of the rock garden that lay ahead, and my completely stock vehicle.

I think that some of the Taco owners here should attempt a challenge. I did Forest Lake a few weeks ago, and although some parts scared the shit out of me, by the time I was coming down through the scary parts, I was a million times more confident, and had a really great time in the process.

There some some things a stock Tacoma should not attempt, a heavy-duty rock garden with large diameter rocks being one of them. I learned this the hard way, but it just inspired me to get my rig set up correctly, and to be more cautious and observative when approaching new, and challenging obstacles. Going last, without watching others traverse the obstacles did not help.
...
Anyhow, that was my folly, and such trails are nothing that I (or Manlaan/Greg, or anyone) would ever suggest for Meet & Greets, especially gatherings that are composed of a variety of trucks and driver skill levels, most vehicles being daily drivers, meant to hold market value and look pretty, moreso than to be dedicated offroad vehicles.

So, in relation to Meet and Green #5: There is a very fun trail I would like the meet n greet group to consider on the next Utah meet; it features totally amazing scenery, and slightly challenging, but totally risk free obstacles to be had (one tight (but totally doable, and risk free) squeeze between rocks, and one tight switchback).
I really think the level of fulfillment felt by participants would be totally astronomical (amazing), and the view awarded by this route is out of this world, especially with the leaves still changing. (however, Pre-Runners without lockers might have more difficulty, though it would not be impossible).

If anyone is worried about scratching their paint, I will either buy, or request that another member brings clippers, and I will be happy to lead the group, trimming the few bushes/plants that may scratch my paint. You are really more likely to meet with bushes if you do not pilot your rig correctly.

Such things are also best discussed in person, as the forums do not provide 100% of information that is available, and all questions cannot be instantly answered, should they arise.

 

Jerry, was that the Norcal run to Eagle Lakes, off I-80/Highway 20? a week ago? I was on the Eastern Sierra the same weekend, and did some "medium" stuff: Laurel Lake near Mammoth, Silver Canyon outside Bishop, and Dunderberg near Bridgeport. First time since I replaced my suspension. All very fun, but I need to find some stuff closer to home.

OP, sorry to hijack, I'll knock it off.

 

Pin striping and small rock stuff is about it...thats just because I only have a locker...if I were 4wd I'd go anywhere I could

 

Honestly, I'd be hesitant to go up there again myself with out someone that knows the trail very well, and 33" tires. I know its only 2 inches more diameter, but when you're talking about rocks that size, I'll take the extra inch lift. I was on my sliders and skid plate quite a few times myself getting past the rock garden. I feel that trail is just a bit beyond my own abilities at this point though.

I assume you're talking about Major Evans Gulch. I think that's a good trail and I really dont remember there being much overhanging. As long as you dont try to take the sharp corner in one pass, that is. For those a bit more brave, they can check out a little bit of Milk Maid. For those that are really worried about it, there's plenty of room and a camp site people can hang out at the trail head.

It would also give people a chance to take some shots of their truck flexing on that large rock with the canyon in the background.

The other option is to check out the Pacific Mine Kiosk and go up Mineral Basin to the point it gives you a choice of easy or hard path. That way if someone really wanted to test their rig, they could try out the first obstacle or even take the harder path with no risk to the others.

And if someone wanted to head up to Forest Lake after the trail, I'd be more than happy to take them up. This seems to be a pretty good overview of the hardest parts of Forest Lake, although some of the lines have changed since then:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdQU-D-tRfE

 

What I suggest, manlaan, is to just make an executive decision. I planned a multi-day trip here and I made the decision it was going to be on nasty trails. See here if you're interested: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/south-west/86781-multi-day-four-corners-area-meet-7-10-10-a.html

Pictures here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/off-roading-trails/102163-four-corners-meet-pictures-2010-a.html

You may also get some planning ideas from my thread. I'm not saying its fantastic, but I can say that the trip was a success. Whether I decided it was going to be a scenery trip or a wheeling trip, people would have showed up. However, depending on my decision, different people would have showed up. What do you want in your trip? Make that decision and plan the trip as what you think would be ideal. Others will agree with you and show up. Others won't be interested and won't show up. No worries.

 

a stock taco is able to cover 10" rock if the diver has a reasonable amount of skill.

a mildly lifted taco on 33s can cover 14" rocks with a simlar level of driving skill

 

Just wondering what does being from Utah have to do with answering the question...? I mean a Tacoma in Utah is the same truck in California.

As for the truck, for my pure stock I would pick two answers... Narrow dirt and Medium rock... another catagory could be very steep grades.

 

I think Greg is just trying to get numbers on different trails only by Utahn's for future meets and trail runs so he can investigate more into certain areas then others. Am I right Greg?