Gold bar rim- only about 2 miles from town on paved roads, probably around 5-7 hours for the whole trip, this may be the best pick for the group. Fairly easy trail with lots of optional stuff for the bigger guys to play on and the newcomers to watch, plus it has an amazing view to eat lunch at. The only downfall is that this trail has one obstacle that cannot be bypassed and you will make contact with your front lower cladding and rear gas tank skid. (see below for pics)


Gold bar rim-
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Would bridging ladders work there ?
There's a variety of materials, strengths and prices for them:






BRIDGING LADDERS:

"During off road expeditions one occasionally comes across a ditch or washout that is too wide or deep to cross, or a vertical step that can't be negotiated. For these situations you need a ramp or bridging device that you can place across the gap and drive over. Some people (and even vendors) get confused between bridging ladders and sand ladders, and think they can use them interchangeably. Of course this is not the case, as a bridging ladder needs to be capable of supporting at least a quarter of the weight of the vehicle, while a sand ladder can be much more flexible and lighter (see below). Of course, you can use most bridging ladders as sand ladders if you wish, saving you from carrying both.
When it comes to choosing a set of bridging ladders, it does not pay to try skimp and cut corners. The Mantec are the best and strongest bridging ladders I've seen. They will accommodate the weight of a Range Rover with no problem.





Mantec Bridging Ladders (4-BRIDGYS) Aluminum alloy, 5 ft x 15.5", 20 lbs each, $450 pair
4mm high grade aluminium, and their strength folded into the designs of both products. Mantec Sand Tracks are tried and tested over years of use in the Sahara Desert. Standard dimensions are 60" x 18" weighing 20 lbs per pair. A stronger alternative to sandtracks/ladders.
Special mounting brackets for securing them to a roof rack are also available for $99 a set.


http://72.167.88.134/BPSite/landrove...ingLadder.html
http://www.rangerovers.net/outfittin...c/ladders.html
http://mantec.co.uk/productdetail.cf...6FC6100BEB80B#





Fiberglass offroad "bridging" ladders:
2500kg = 5500 lbs.
3000kg = 6600 lbs.
Overland Journal didn't like them, fiberglass splintered off on first use, expect they'd fail.
http://www.tracmat.com/index.php?opt...d=69&Itemid=73
http://www.tracmat.com/






SAND LADDERS:


Pierced Aluminum plated SAND ladders (don't think you can use them for bridging): $250 - $350/pair (60"x16" or 48"x12")
http://www.okoffroad.com/stuff-sandladders-aluminum.htm




HD pierced steel plating Expedition Sand Ladders, coated in bedliner..... only for traction, not bridging: ~$180/pair, (60"x16") weigh 25 lbs EACH
http://www.okoffroad.com/stuff-sandladders.htm






A GMC Forum thread where the different types are discussed:
http://forums.trailvoy.com/showpost....45&postcount=1