Rating System
This rating system is based on good weather and driving conditions.
Poor weather can turn a easy road into a challenge.


Easy 1: Passenger cars.
These trails are mainly back country dirt roads. Expect washboard, gentle grades and shallow water crossings.

2: High-clearance vehicles are preferred.
Passenger cars will make it if you drive slow and are carefull.
These trails are graded dirt roads that passenger cars may find difficult.
Expect embedded rocks, loose rocks, small ruts, gentle grades and shallow water crossings.

3: High-clearance 4WD with low range are preferred.
High-clearance 2WD with rear locking differential will also make it.
These trails are dirt roads that 2WD vehicles may find difficult or impassable.
Expect embedded rocks, small rocks, shallow mud, small ruts, shallow water crossings, sand, shelf roads and moderate grades.

Moderate 4: High-clearance 4WD with low range is preferred.
High-clearance 2WD with rear locking differential may find these trails difficult or impassable.
These trails are good for people that have a stock 4WD and are just getting started.
Expect rocks up to 6 inches, loose dirt, shallow mud, shallow sand, moderate ruts, 9 inch deep water crossing, narrow shelf roads with limited room to pass, tight clearances on trees and rocks, small rock ledges and steep grades.

5: Modified high-clearance 4WD with low range, 14 inches of clearance and 33 inch M/T tires is preferred.
High-clearance 4WD with Low Range, 10 inches of clearance and 31 inch A/T tires is required.
These trails are good for people that have a stock 4WD and are just getting started.
Expect rocks up to 9 inches, loose dirt, mud, deep sand, moderate ruts, 12 inch deep water crossing, narrow shelf roads with limited room to pass, tight clearances on trees and rocks, 9 inch rock ledges, off-camber areas and steep grades.

6: Modified high-clearance 4WD with low range, 14 inches of clearance and 33 inch M/T tires is preferred.
High-clearance 4WD with low range, 10 inches of clearance and 31 inch A/T tires is required and may find trails challenging.
These trails are good for people that have a stock 4WD and want a challenge.
Expect rocks up to 12 inches, loose dirt, mud, deep sand, deep ruts, 18 inch deep water crossing, narrow shelf roads with limited room to pass, tight clearances on trees and rocks, 12 inch rock ledges, off-camber areas, steep grades and airing down tires may be required for traction.
Roll over, body damage and mechanical failure is possible but not likely.

Difficult 7: Modified high-clearance 4WD with low range, rock armor, 14+ inches of clearance, good wheel travel and 33 inch M/T tires is preferred.
High-clearance 4WD with low range, 12 inches of clearance and 31 inch A/T tires is required and may find these trails difficult or impassable.
These trails are pushing the limits of stock 4WDs.
Expect rocks up to 18 inches, loose dirt, mud, deep sand, deep ruts, 18 inch deep water crossing, narrow shelf roads with limited room to pass, tight clearances on trees and rocks, 18 inch rock ledges, off-camber areas, steep grades and airing down tires may be required for traction.
Roll over, body damage and mechanical failure is possible but not likely.

8: Modified high-clearance 4WD with low range, low gearing, rock armor, 14+ inches of clearance, rock armor, good wheel travel, locking rear differential and 35 inch M/T tires is preferred.
High-clearance 4WD with low range, 12inches of clearance, locking rear differential and 31 inch M/T tires is required and may find these trails difficult.
These trails may be challenging for modified 4WDs.
Expect rocks up to 24 inches, loose dirt, mud, deep sand, deep ruts, 30 inch deep water crossing, narrow shelf roads with limited room to pass, tight clearances on trees and rocks, 24inch rock ledges, off-camber areas, steep grades and airing down tires may be required for traction.
Roll over, body damage and mechanical failure is possible. Be prepared with spare parts and recovery gear.

9: Modified high-clearance 4WD with low range, low gearing, rock armor, 14+ inches of clearance, good wheel travel, locking front differential, locking rear differential and 35 inch M/T tires is preferred.
High-clearance 4WD with low range, 14inches of clearance, rock armor, locking rear differential and 33 inch M/T tires is required and may find these trails very difficult.
These trails may be challenging for modified 4WDs.
Expect rocks up to 30 inches, loose dirt, mud, deep sand, deep ruts, 30 inch deep water crossing, narrow shelf roads with limited room to pass, tight clearances on trees and rocks, 30 inch rock ledges, off-camber areas, very steep grades and airing down tires may be required for traction.
Roll over, body damage and mechanical failure is possible. Be prepared with spare parts and recovery gear.

Hard 10: When you no longer care about the sheet metal on your truck and rolling it over might be considered fun, then this is your trail.


This rating system is to be used as a base for the average driver. I have seen a very good driver in a 2WD truck with a rear locker complete the Red Lake trail which is a rating 8. Modified 4WD vehicles have gotten stuck and rolled over on moderate trails because the driver was careless or didn't know what they were doing.

This rating system was upgraded from (Easy, Moderate, Difficult, Hard) to a (Easy[1-3], Moderate[4-6], Difficult[7-9], Hard[10]) system. This was done to further separate the difficulty of the trails so that you will know more about what you are getting into.
This system was developed from a combination of Backcountry Adventures rating system and Toyota Territory Off-Roader's Association rating system. I did not copy either rating system, but credit is still due.