These rules are designed to ensure a safe, respectful, and enjoyable experience for all participants. Your cooperation helps us maintain access to trails and keep the club strong.

Before the Ride

• Know the Requirements: Ensure your vehicle meets trail requirements (e.g., low-range transfer case, proper tires, recovery gear, spare tire; see below for specifics).

• Come Prepared: Bring a snack, water, and essential tools - fire extinguisher, tow strap, shackles, gloves, first aid kit, shovel (see below for specifics).

• Understand Spotting: Learn and review standard hand/arm signals before the ride.  Jim Allen’s The Four-Wheeler’s Bible is an excellent reference book for all things 4wd, and this online guide has great spotting tips. 

At the Staging Area

• Be On Time: Arrive with your vehicle and its occupants fueled, stocked, and ready at the staging area.

• Introduce Yourself: Build the community - say hello!

• Be Honest: Tell the trail leader your driver experience and vehicle capabilities.  Not knowing something is ok - there are no dumb questions.  

• Driver Meeting: Attend the pre-run briefing. Know the plan, trail difficulty level, and group size.

On the Trail

• Tread Lightly!:  We promote the principles of the Tread Lightly! program. Respect the property and trails we travel on. Vehicles shall only travel on marked trails and pack out all litter. Any participant found off trail, in an otherwise restricted area, causing damage to the property, or otherwise causing a disturbance will be asked to leave. No warnings will be issued.

• Respect Others: Yield to hikers, bikers, and equestrians. Always stop and shut off your engine near horses.  Be a good steward of the trails, and respectful of property owners and those using them recreationally.  Don’t be the “jerk in a Land Rover” - you could give yourself and the club a bad name, putting our use of the trails at risk.

• Trail Etiquette:

• Keep speeds as slow as possible, as fast as necessary.

• Maintain a safe distance between vehicles, allowing the vehicle in front enough room to clear the obstacle.

• Watch for the vehicle behind you - keep them within your line of sight, and stop and wait for them.

• Communicate via radio clearly and respectfully (no unnecessary chatter).  Acknowledge communications from the trail guide.

• When passing others, use hand signals to indicate how many vehicles are behind you (e.g., 3 fingers = 3 vehicles left, fist = last vehicle).

• Obstacle Navigation:

• Drive over, not around, obstacles.  Differential locks can be helpful to overcome difficult obstacles, mud, and other situations with limited traction.

• Only proceed when the vehicle ahead has cleared the obstacle.

• Follow your designated spotter’s instructions only.  Understand their hand signals, and let them know if you can’t see/hear them.

• Right of Way:

• Uphill traffic has the right of way.

• Slower vehicles should yield to faster ones.

• Always yield to horses, mountain bikers, and pedestrians.

Vehicle Requirements

(Varies by trail level — guides have final authority)

• Rovers Only: We appreciate and respect all types of vehicles. However, one of the primary goals of our club is to promote enthusiasm for Land Rovers. The final decision on allowing any non-Land Rover vehicle to participate in a club event rests with the directors.​

• All vehicles must be licensed and insured. We reserve the right to require proof of insurance along with a signed club waiver in order to participate in an event.

• All vehicles must have a GMRS radio, either mounted or handheld.  Nowadays the equipment is affordable, and getting a license is completely online, simple, and inexpensive.

• Recovery points:

• We do not recover from a tow ball, ever.

• All vehicles on easy/beginner trail rides should have a solid rear recovery point.

• All vehicles on moderate trail rides shall have solid front and rear recovery points. All-terrain tires, winch, and some body armor is preferred.

• All vehicles on advanced trail rides should have body lifts, body armor, a winch, multiple recovery points, and oversized tires.

• All vehicles should have the following tools at a minimum:

• Fire extinguisher​

• Work gloves

• First Aid Kit

• Tow strap or recovery strap with associated shackles

• Shovel / Pick 

• Tree straps and winch accessories (recommended for moderate and advanced).

• All vehicles shall have road legal tires, with good tread depth, and be suitable for the respective trail level. All-terrain or mud tires are required for moderate/advanced groups, and mud tires may be required when dictated by trail conditions.  A spare tire and/or appropriate repair kit and suitable knowledge in its use is required.

• Winches are encouraged for moderate groups and required for advanced groups.

• Body protection (heavy bumpers and sill protection) is encouraged for moderate groups and required for advanced groups.

• Lockers and traction aids are encouraged for moderate groups and required for advanced groups.

Alcohol, Drugs & Behavior

• No drugs or alcohol while driving or recovering vehicles. Offenders will be removed from the event.

• Camping: Responsible drinking is allowed if it doesn't lead to disruptive behavior.

• Illegal substances are prohibited at all times.

• Seatbelts: Vehicles must be fitted with seat belts and be worn at all times.

• Respect fellow members.  Abusive or reckless behavior will not be tolerated.

Failure to Follow Rules

Violation of these rules may result in immediate dismissal from the event at the discretion of the club leadership—no warnings or refunds.