Lockwood Creek (Down) to Miller Jeep Trail

[Shahram]

I've been invited to do this trail next weekend with a group of friends. My friend said that he and his buddy did it last weekend, in his buddy's lifted Chevy 1500 (no lockers, 35" mudders), and it was "hairy, but totally doable" in the Cruiser. What would you rate the trail at currently (1 to 10)?

As far as it's been described, we're going "down" Lockwood to Miller Jeep Trail. I could have sworn that I did this trail a few years ago in my Xterra, and it was a solid 5, but people are saying I'm totally mistaken, and that I did some other trail.

Is this something upon which I can bring my 2 year old son with me, and have a reasonable expectation of safety? Or is this off-camber, perched on a cliff, leave the kid at home and pray to God you don't end up buzzard food kind of 'wheeling? 'Cause I've been hearing it described both ways.

(My sig line shows my mods. My lockers work great, in case you were wondering.)

Thanks for any and all info.

 

[bpenn1980]

Charles Wells' book describes its difficulty like this:

"Difficult. Very hilly, steep and rocky. Not recommended for stock SUV's. Tough section at beginning of trail is fairly typical of conditions all along the route. Last few miles of Miller Jeep Trail are toughest part of trip. Lockers and oversized tires recommended. Don't drive alone."

Sorry, that doesnt help much

 

[DirtyRice Joe]

I did it about three years ago in an almost stock FJ62. No lift, springs sagging a little, 31 inch tires aired down to about 18 lbs, no lockers - but I do have a limited slip diff. The only hairy part was one rocky hill. I banged up my rocker panels and ripped off the rocker panel trim. I've given all this detail because I'm not sure if a "5" to me is the same as a "5" to you.

Now, my 80 is still stock (except for the Kaymar rear bumper I just got done installing ) and I wouldn't take it on Miller-Lockwood without sliders because it's just too expensive to risk. From a safety perspective, unless the trail has changed drastically I wouldn't worry. I don't remember any ledges or bad off-camber spots. I don't have a map of the trail so I can't tell you if I went "up" or "down", but we ended up in the RV park at the end of the trail. I had my 8 year old son with me.

Hope that helps!

Take care,
JR

 

[Shahram]

I've given all this detail because I'm not sure if a "5" to me is the same as a "5" to you.

Thanks for the info.

Backcountry Adventures describes 5's and 6's as the following...

Rating 5. High Clearance 4WDs are required. These trails have either a rough, rutted surface, rocks up to 9 inches, mud and deep sand that may be impassable for inexperienced drivers, or stream crossings up to 18 inches deep. Certain sections may be deep enough to cause traction problems, and you may encounter very narrow shelf roads with steep drop-offs and tight clearance between rocks or trees.

Rating 6. These trails are for experienced four wheel drivers only. They are potentially dangerous, with large rocks, ruts, or terraces that may need to be negotiated. They amy also have stream crossings at least 18 inches deep, involve rapid currents, unstable stream bottoms, or difficult access; steep slopes, loose surfaces, and narrow clearances; or very narrow sections of shelf road with steep drop-offs and potentially challenging road surfaces.

 

[Slomo]

I haven't run Lockwood Creek/ Miller Heep Trail in awhile but I ran it numerous times in my 86 4Runner with IFS and one locker back when the first 1 1/4 miles were literally run down Lockwood Creek and then after they rerouted it up the hillside and over to bypass the creek driving when the Runner was SAS, Marlin blah, blah, blah. The point is having done it in both vehicle types I found it very doable, even with IFS. The only thing would be to drive with your brain and your right foot connected and keep an eye on your rockers and you will be fine. It is a fun challenging trail, not a dangerous challenging trail. I would take my son on it without hesitation in a rig set up like yours.

 

[PKP80]

I've done it stock, open diff, with running boards and on 31" tires. You will be FINE Shahram. Gorboonet. Have fun I wish I had an Fing truck to run.

 

[e9999]

done it a coupla times.
It's pretty easy except for one spot at the top of Miller, where you can get some damage (as in quarter panels, underbody, rocker panels) if you're not careful or if you're unlucky. There was no real "dangerous" spots. Of course, many places where the trail is on the side of the hill.

I'm surprised it's open, though. It's normally closed until Spring. Are you sure it is indeed Lockwood / Miller?

 

[Shahram]

Thank you, guys, for the info. Thanks, Slomo, for the following words: "It is a fun challenging trail, not a dangerous challenging trail. I would take my son on it without hesitation in a rig set up like yours." That makes me feel much better.

 

[smittycrusher]

I also did it two years ago with no lift, 285 ATs, sliders, and a slee t-case skid. I made it through with no issues using the lockers and armor. I was also with stock, saggy, lexus springs.

Smit

 

[Ian Rogers]

i have run the trail a few times.... since the fire when through there and the fire crews it is like a dirt road! Miller will be closed until spring june 15th at the latest. Last year it was open by may 15th when i ran it, it is always a good idea to call the ranger first to confirm its open.

 

[Shahram]

Well, we couldn't run Lockwood, as it is still closed. The creek was raging pretty hard, but I'm sure we could have driven through it. The snow line was also pretty low, and it appeared that the mountains got a pretty good dusting. We ended up playing around in Hungry Valley, which was kind of fun in the rain.

Here are some pics...

 

[bluto]

Good pics of the 80 in action! How did the Tire Jockey take the dip in pic#3? When did you go?
I was hoping by chance to see you last Sunday.

 

[Slomo]

Looks like some fun, pretty rare to see a Cruiser on the end of a tow strap. Must be why we hate mud.

 

[e9999]

pulled by a Chevy???


shame on ya!

 

[Shahram]

Good pics of the 80 in action! How did the Tire Jockey take the dip in pic#3? When did you go?
I was hoping by chance to see you last Sunday.

My friend came up to the window and said "Your whole back end is basically using the tire carrier latch as a shovel. You're gonna rip it off." Nope! It held together like a champ.

I went Sunday morning, arrived in Hungry Valley around 10:00, left around 15:00. I was disappointed that exploring the area was out of the picture, but I also got an idea on how the 80 would handle on the Sluice with the lift, so the day wasn't entirely wasted.

 

[Shahram]

pulled by a Chevy???


shame on ya!

It took a dozen tries and the world's stupidest lines to get stuck, but it finally happened. That Chevy performed surprisingly well. It's got 35" mudders, lockers front and rear, 3" lift. The lockers make a massive difference on a vehicle like that, because it lifts a wheel at mild articulation. And oh, that bumper has got to go. The stock bumpers on those things are real draggers.

 

[SOCALFJ]

hahahahha right on. I pulled someone out over in that spot one time. Dont feel bad, i've broken a axle shaft in the rock garden there screwing around before