Trail Ratings.  Let's see, everything is rated, whether it be a television show, a restaurant, a football game or a hurricane.

The trail rating that I use is based on the "Mitchell Scale," a scale devised by a long-time four wheeler and author Roger Mitchell.  He has written many excellent books about California and Nevada four wheeling.  One of the things that I like about his publications is that he includes pertinent facts, geological information and history.  His books are available from Track and Trail Publications and freely distributed on Amazon.com.

Like Roger, I rate the trails with Class 1 being the easiest to Class 6 being the most technical and difficult.

Class 1-  A Class 1 trail is really only a somewhat graded, dirt road that is usually wash boarded.  In good, dry weather, you could drive a passenger car over it, but you'd be much happier driving a stock, S.U.V..

Class 2-  The first notch up the ladder in difficulty, is a Class 2 trail, but it can be negotiated by any stock four wheel drive vehicle.  If the weather is good, an all-wheel drive vehicle might make it, but you'd rather have a low-range transfer case.  The road gets narrower, the center gets higher and there may be rocks or potholes to dodge. Under good conditions, you may not need four wheel drive, but you wouldn't want to be without it if there has been a good rain storm or two.

   

Left:  A typical Class 1 dirt road, this one is in Adobe Valley in California's Mono County.   Right:  My Bronco negotiates the steep and narrow Class 2 trail to Chloride City, in Death Valley National park.

Class 3- This is the absolute limit for a stock four wheel drive truck with a low-range transfer case.  All-wheel drive vehicles need not apply.  On a Class 3 trail, low-range, four-wheel drive is absolutely necessary as you will encounter obstacles such as rocks, stair-steps, steep grades, snow or mud (in season) and possible off-camber sections. Aggressive-tread, aired-down tires are a plus, and maybe at times a necessity, on these trails.  Oh yes, driver experience is highly recommended.

Class 4-  Here's where the fun really begins.  Your rig must be lifted and have oversize tires and you defiantly will need to air down your tires to successfully traverse the trail. Skid plates are a must.  You must be an experienced driver and it would be very helpful to have a passenger that can act as a spotter, as you will encounter many difficult situations.  If you don't have lockers, you can expect to be winched or strapped by one of your buddies.  You can expect many "technical" sections of the trail that may require a spotter. Don't go on the trail alone as vehicle damage is a probability!

   

Left:  Steep, narrow grades, water and poor traction  make the trail in Dead Ox Canyon, in western Nevada,  a poster child for a Class-3 trail.  Right:  During the Crawdad Poker Run, near Gold Lake, CA in 1998,  an awesome FJ-40 encounters a Class-4 hill climb.  Note that he's winching a Toyota truck up the hill, as the hill climb would be more comfortable if the towed truck was equipped with lockers.

Class 5-  Class 5 trails are only for highly-modified vehicles that have lots of special equipment and only attempt the trail when traveling in a group.  What really makes a Class 5 trail, in addition the requirements for a Class 4 trail, is that the vehicle must have front and rear lockers and a winch.  On a Class 5 trail, vehicle damage is a reality and courage is a necessity.

Class 6-  There aren't that many of 'em around, but they do exist.  Only very highly-modified vehicles should attempt a trail of this nature.  You must have lots of spare parts, tools and be an automotive technician that can fix anything.  Did I mention a strong heart and a deep pocket book?  Vehicle damage most likely will happen.  Travel only in groups.  Good luck!

   

Left:  Where's the trail?  What there is of it has become steep, off-camber and whatever else Mother Nature can throw at a rig or a trail, for that matter.  This photo was taken on one of the more knarly spots climbing "Locker Hill" on California's infamous Rubicon Trail.  Right:  You can drive up this..?  Well, maybe if winch is spelled like drive... Waterfall number 1, on the trail to Panamint City, now, unfortunately closed by the Sierra Clubbers and other radical left-wing environmentalist groups.  Thanks, Jonathan Dolan, for the photos.

Well, there you have it, as for the way that I rate the trails.  By the way, the toughest trail that I will take my F-250 on, even though it is highly modified, is a Class 3.  Anything else, I travel with my buddy Jonathan in his jeep.  Someday, when my wife lets me, I plan to buy a jeep and trailer, and then, watch out for me, as I'll join you on the Class 5 trails!