burnoil
Member
CHANGED TO CLEGHORN TRAIL....Planning a dirt trip on MAY 16 to Cactus Flats which runs along the back side of Big Bear and dumps out on highway 62 (29 Palms Highway) in Yucca Valley. Starting at 10am at the trailhead on the map...running north to south.
Lots of details originally posted here: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=6597.45
I wanted to start a new thread since the other one was originally a "check-in" thread for SoCal riders.
Map details of the trail: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.1791807,-116.4993105,48847m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!6m1!1sz-xSUg_E-sNI.kTczkIRtYZG0?hl=en
My helmet cam video of the trail I did solo from early last year: http://youtu.be/ukkn1ZdE3oE
Difficulty rating (Depending on weather):
What's everyone's dirt experience? I would rate this trail anywhere from a 2.0 to 3.5 depending on weather and various parts of the trail.
[list type=disc]
[*]1 - Graded dirt trail but suitable for a normal passenger vehicle. Normally with gentle grades, fairly wide track, and very shallow (if any) water crossings.
[/list] [list type=disc]
[*]2 - High clearance vehicles are preferred but NOT necessary. These are dirt roads, but not suitable for normal passenger vehicles due to rocks, grades, water crossings or ruts. Passing and mud are not a concern under normal weather and circumstances.
[/list] [list type=disc]
[*]3 - High clearance 4WDs are preferred but any high clearance vehicle is acceptable. Rough road surface is expected, mud and sand are possible but passable. Rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, loose surface, shelf roads wide enough for passing or pull-offs.
[/list] [list type=disc]
[*]4 - High clearance 4WDs are recommended, though most stock SUVs are acceptable. Rough road with rocks greater than 6 inches but with a reasonable driving line is expected. Negotiable mud patches, deep sand requiring lower tire pressures, up to 12 inch deep stream crossings, substantial sections of single-lane shelf road, moderate grades and sections of moderately loose surface are all possible.
[/list] [list type=disc]
[*]5 - High-clearance 4WDs are required. Rough, rutted surface, rocks up to 9 inches, mud and deep sand requiring experienced driver, 18 inch stream crossings are expected. There may be traction problems on steep sections, and shelf roads with steep drop-offs or tight clearance (for an SUV width vehicle) between rocks or trees.
[/list] [list type=disc]
[*]6 - Trail is for experienced drivers only and are potentially dangerous due to large rocks, ruts, terraces, stream crossings greater than 18 inches involving rapid currents or unstable bottoms or difficult access. There are also steep slopes, loose surfaces, narrow clearances, narrow shelf-roads with steep drop offs and possibly challenging surfaces.
[/list] [list type=disc]
[*]7 - Skilled, experienced 4-wheel drivers only. Very difficult trails with steep grades, loose surfaces, large rocks, deep ruts, and/or tight clearances. Winching over mud, sand or ruts is not unexpected.
[/list] [list type=disc]
[*]8 - 10 - There is likely damage to stock vehicles at this level and the trail may be impassable. Highly-skilled, experienced driver is required.
[*]I recommend a tire at least as good as a K60.
[/list] Be self-sufficient! Bring any tools, food, water, etc with you. It is fairly remote and help won't be there in a short time-frame. I've been on this trail where I don't see anyone all day long. I have never seen a ranger back there, but I know they patrol. I do carry an ACR Electronics PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) for anything ultra-ultra serious as far as crashes/medical needs. I'm not paranoid, just like to be prepared as much as I can.
Lots of details originally posted here: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=6597.45
I wanted to start a new thread since the other one was originally a "check-in" thread for SoCal riders.
Map details of the trail: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.1791807,-116.4993105,48847m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!6m1!1sz-xSUg_E-sNI.kTczkIRtYZG0?hl=en
My helmet cam video of the trail I did solo from early last year: http://youtu.be/ukkn1ZdE3oE
Difficulty rating (Depending on weather):
What's everyone's dirt experience? I would rate this trail anywhere from a 2.0 to 3.5 depending on weather and various parts of the trail.
[list type=disc]
[*]1 - Graded dirt trail but suitable for a normal passenger vehicle. Normally with gentle grades, fairly wide track, and very shallow (if any) water crossings.
[/list] [list type=disc]
[*]2 - High clearance vehicles are preferred but NOT necessary. These are dirt roads, but not suitable for normal passenger vehicles due to rocks, grades, water crossings or ruts. Passing and mud are not a concern under normal weather and circumstances.
[/list] [list type=disc]
[*]3 - High clearance 4WDs are preferred but any high clearance vehicle is acceptable. Rough road surface is expected, mud and sand are possible but passable. Rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, loose surface, shelf roads wide enough for passing or pull-offs.
[/list] [list type=disc]
[*]4 - High clearance 4WDs are recommended, though most stock SUVs are acceptable. Rough road with rocks greater than 6 inches but with a reasonable driving line is expected. Negotiable mud patches, deep sand requiring lower tire pressures, up to 12 inch deep stream crossings, substantial sections of single-lane shelf road, moderate grades and sections of moderately loose surface are all possible.
[/list] [list type=disc]
[*]5 - High-clearance 4WDs are required. Rough, rutted surface, rocks up to 9 inches, mud and deep sand requiring experienced driver, 18 inch stream crossings are expected. There may be traction problems on steep sections, and shelf roads with steep drop-offs or tight clearance (for an SUV width vehicle) between rocks or trees.
[/list] [list type=disc]
[*]6 - Trail is for experienced drivers only and are potentially dangerous due to large rocks, ruts, terraces, stream crossings greater than 18 inches involving rapid currents or unstable bottoms or difficult access. There are also steep slopes, loose surfaces, narrow clearances, narrow shelf-roads with steep drop offs and possibly challenging surfaces.
[/list] [list type=disc]
[*]7 - Skilled, experienced 4-wheel drivers only. Very difficult trails with steep grades, loose surfaces, large rocks, deep ruts, and/or tight clearances. Winching over mud, sand or ruts is not unexpected.
[/list] [list type=disc]
[*]8 - 10 - There is likely damage to stock vehicles at this level and the trail may be impassable. Highly-skilled, experienced driver is required.
[*]I recommend a tire at least as good as a K60.
[/list] Be self-sufficient! Bring any tools, food, water, etc with you. It is fairly remote and help won't be there in a short time-frame. I've been on this trail where I don't see anyone all day long. I have never seen a ranger back there, but I know they patrol. I do carry an ACR Electronics PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) for anything ultra-ultra serious as far as crashes/medical needs. I'm not paranoid, just like to be prepared as much as I can.
