OnX trail rating guide - which ratings do you run?

[Bronco1971]

Plus, as mentioned, trail conditions change both seasonally and over time.

...and when someone decides to use a Cat to "improve" the trail.

A good many trails have bypasses on the truly difficult elements. So you could see a picture of a legitimately difficult spot on a 5 or 6 because you don't have to do the hard part.

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[swooshdave]

...and when someone decides to use a Cat to "improve" the trail.

A good many trails have bypasses on the truly difficult elements. So you could see a picture of a legitimately difficult spot on a 5 or 6 because you don't have to do the hard part.

I believe the guideline is that if there is a bypass you rate the trail on that and make notes on the obstacle.

 

[telenerd]

Can I use this google doc guide for my non profit?

 

[AZ_Craig]

My issue with 7s and up is you start to rely on skid plates and sliders as more tools to get over and around things, rather than emergency devices to protect things on an Oops-I-took-the-wrong-line.

Cool for those that are into it, and fun to watch, but slamming and beating the snot out of my rig makes me cringe, I won’t lie.

I have the same issue. Maybe if I relegate this thing over to being a 3rd car at some point I would worry a bit less about it, but as long as it is one of our daily drivers I really don't want to be tearing the underside of it apart on a regular basis.

I don't mind hitting stuff, but I'm not seeking it out either. I have never used OnX much, but it looks like I am probably generally most comfortable in stuff that's between a 3 and a 5 with my experience maxing out at about a 6 (Imogene and Black Bear are two rated there for instance I've done).

That being said, I definitely ran more stuff that was a 6 with my 2012 JKU than my 4Runners. I think the worst thing I maybe put my 4runner through ever was Imogene which is rated 6.

 

[B22-2023]

I agree. I am a bit conservative (reasons: much of the solo wheeling I do is quite remote, my bronco is my daily driver, I'm stock SAS, etc.) and have no trouble saying 5 on this ONX scale is my limit. level 6 includes 3 foot steps/drops, so unless/until I'm modified on 37's and bronco is not my daily I'm not risking the possible breakage no matter how good my line/driving i

Yea I was thinking the same thing - well it's "possible" but damage risk is not trivial. Modified on 37's + ok, but stock? Perhaps the shading of the photo is hiding some rocks where the tires are going to drop onto, or the traction is such you can crawl down real slow/easy.

It’s just a way of looking at that trail and saying, Hey, bud, let’s party!”

@crenca is where I am at. Me +1 passenger riding solo way out there in the Rockies or NM, pushing it hard and self-recoverable/survivable…..on 35s - gotta be mindful. I’ll never go to 37s but I can see on the SERIOUS trails where that really is a huge breakaway point in capability and the trail rating system, sometimes point out you need 37s which I have learned to appreciate. And also I’ve been in Gen1 crawlers on 40 million inch tires scraping boulders and is it fun? Yeah but not my daily rig. F Rubicon for me but I’ve broken stuff everywhere else up to that level.

My DD Bronco has to haul 85 mph out to and from trails, get abused (“that’s what the armor is for” we say as it crunches underneath us), and get me home and then limp to work. Realistically 6 is the limit but accidentally wind up on extremes, it’s a thing that trail ratings - and trail conditions - are variable. It’s like any wilderness outing - prepare for a level or two “worse” than you expect as a margin, build the truck and expectations accordingly.

 

[Felix808]

It’s just a way of looking at that trail and saying, Hey, bud, let’s party!”

Nice one Spicoli

 

[Buffalo_Rider]

I find myself in the tougher trails out of necessity the 6-7s (secluded fishing spot, getting to a honey hole during hunting season or finding a camp spot without people ) but for fun the 3-4 range is all I want to do alone ..

 

[kpb17]

I'm left a little confused by the pictures and the descriptions because that obstacle shown on the left for a "6" doesn't look passable by a stock Bronco or Jeep, and looks significantly more challenging than the photo on the right.

How does Onyx rate Top of the World and has the rating been updating to reflect the current conditions? That's about the max of what I will do (maybe I might try Golden Spike). The Moab Bible, Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails lists only about 10 trails harder than TotW out of over 90, so I don't feel like I'm missing out on much, and my Bronco's body is 100% prisine.

OnX has TotW rated as a 6 currently. Last year it was rated as a 5, but almost every trail report mentioned it should probably be higher due to erosion and so much use. The intended workflow is that a trail guide notices (or OnX notices and looks for a trail guide) to go and remap the trail, take new photos, and update the rating.

 

[timhood]

This is a statistician's dream.

 

[AZ_Craig]

OnX has TotW rated as a 6 currently. Last year it was rated as a 5, but almost every trail report mentioned it should probably be higher due to erosion and so much use. The intended workflow is that a trail guide notices (or OnX notices and looks for a trail guide) to go and remap the trail, take new photos, and update the rating.

The amazing thing about that trail is that it was ranked "moderate" and probably like a 3/4 back around 15 years ago before the UTVs started thrashing it.

I remember running it in my Wrangler in 2012 when Funtreks still had it ranked as "moderate" and being very surprised at how bad it already was (I remember I had to lock up both my differentials to get up the ledges on the loop at the top). Ended up banging a control arm mount on the way down and deforming the metal a bit. I can only imagine what it is like 13 years later.

I'm sure my I could get through it now, but after being "surprised" 13 years ago, probably not going back.

 

[SoCal]

This is a statistician's dream.

lol...It is 250% correct 1000% of the time

 

[broadicustomworks]

I've ran a lot of 6-7 and honestly, that (mid/high-7 range) is about the limit I want to test with the vehicle that gets me TO the trail and back home, and to work.
Often times I'll be leading a group of mostly new people or people who have no interest in anything above a 2-3. And that can be fun, too. Just because you can beat on it doesn't mean you have to.
Often times I'll hear stuff like "I'm sorry it's probably so boring for you." and such.
Nah.
It ain't.
No pavement to be seen, sun through the trees, bird song, and just having a good time with others who are expanding their sphere a bit? I'm good.
Just get out there. No shame.
Plus a little dirt will wash off, quit fretting about small stuff and live a little.

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