Crags 4x4 is actually needed to access?

Upgrading the rig, trying to decide if it is worth it to drop the extra coin (and future reduced gas mileage) for something that has real four wheel drive (low).
Was trying to think of the crags where it's actually needed and the likelihood I'll spend much time there but am kind of blanking on where it's actually needed (as opposed to just some good tires and high clearance). I live in the western US and travel around a bit, but generally mostly in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and California. Don't really care about skiing/ice climbing where I might use the 4x4 more to access things in the snow.

Off the top of my head I can think of only a few spots:

• Various Moab areas and towers
• The Homestead, AZ
• Clark Mountain, CA (never been but I think I've heard you need a big lift in addition to 4x4?)
• Wolf Point, WY
• Fins, ID (upper part only)
• Enchanted Tower, NM
• I'm sure there are a few more I'm forgetting but can't really think of any major areas.

Without asking anyone to reveal their secret goods (please do remind me of the areas that are already firmly on the radar) are there really that many awesome (ie worth travelling to) crags flying under the radar that would help justify the expense?

Parts of Cochise are much better with 4x4 although it's likely not necessary.

Unless it’s a local/home crag for you, it’s probably not worth it.  

With the exception of some areas in Moab, I feel like I was able to take my FWD van with shitty clearance everywhere in the US.   Every time I thought a road was sketchy, and thankful I made it, there was a Tesla that also made it. 

Unless you are in deep snow, or straight up Muddin’ it’s really not necessary for US climbing crags.  Maybe invest in some good shocks instead, to make long rutted roads, more comfortable?

Best of luck.  Be safe and have fun.

Idk myself I don't care about the side effects of owning a 4WD, I like being able to go almost wherever and whenever I want. Guess there's a freedom in that. Subarus don't count either

I heard the Totem proto area near Tempee is cool and probably requires high clearance. Dunno about 4x4

I do like my 4wd, mostly because my wife feels better with it. However, I ran into a guy who swore that he got into Homestead with a stock Impreza (not an Outback), and I know for a fact that a Toyota Yaris and a Honda Fit made it into the Enchanted Tower. 

I'd say the question is how long do you want your season to be? If you're willing to wait for things to be entirely snow-free, dry, and cleared of deadfall, then 4WD may not be worth it.

Some of the best bouldering I've ever done was off the Rubicon Trail in Tahoe. I needed 4-lo for that. I did it in a stock Tacoma. There were a couple other areas around Tahoe were it seemed like having 4wd was nice. It's all in guidebooks, but if you are traveling around the US and at all like to boulder, I would recommend checking it out.

There were a couple spots in the Utah Hills that having 4wd was nice but not a necessity. I've only needed 4-lo in the spring when its very muddy or for snow. So like everyone else - probably not worth it. I have a rear diff lock and only had to use that once. 

From a friend of a friend - you don't need 4-lo for Clark mountain. Having more clearance would help. If you are deciding between 4-lo and extra clearance I would probably choose clearance, although getting more clearance isn't cheap if you do it right. Oh and a larger topper. The aero topper is nice but it would be nice to have more space in the bed.

Dave K wrote:

Whenever I drive in to a crag feeling thankful that I have a 4WD truck with high clearance, there's usually a Prius in the parking lot.

Excellent observation. It really comes down to driving skill confidence or just a patriotic duty to spend $. Either way the cash is spent though, the 2wd may get the crap beat out of it and need to be fixed/towed, the 4wd costs significantly more and may need to be fixed/towed as well.

4WD isn’t so much necessary to get up to a crag as it is the conditions one might encounter while traveling to it. If you do any amount of traveling beyond your immediate area to climb, you’ve no doubt encountered adverse weather at some point in your career. The ability to flip a switch and be in 4WD while you pass others who are pulled off to the side of the road, out in the mushy elements wrestling with rusty wet chains is near priceless in the moment. The piece of mind in knowing a small wash of deep sand or a spot of slick clay on a slope won’t be the ruin of ones day is worth something as well. Jus sayn’! 

Not many “need” a 4x4 but if you want to get away from the crowds and explore new areas it sure helps.  

Lots of remote places I explore in the Mojave Desert are totally doable in 2wd, except for when its not.  The biggest killer is sand.  You'd be shocked how little sand it takes to totally hose you.  And lots of the roads change on a weekly basis as to how sandy they are at any given time.  Sure you might be able to go down that wash but can you stop and turn around?  Good luck in 2wd if the sand is deep.  

Frank Stein wrote:

I do like my 4wd, mostly because my wife feels better with it. However, I ran into a guy who swore that he got into Homestead with a stock Impreza (not an Outback), and I know for a fact that a Toyota Yaris and a Honda Fit made it into the Enchanted Tower. 

That said, and although the above is true, I do need to disclose the following.

1. I got a borrowed AWD Hyundai Tucson stuck on the last crux to Homestead.

2. I had to turn around in a 2WD truck going to The Tower after a rain storm.

3. I spent almost a whole night digging same truck out of a sandpit in the Doña Anas.

Frank Stein wrote:

That said, and although the above is true, I do need to disclose the following.

1. I got a borrowed AWD Hyundai Tucson stuck on the last crux to Homestead.

2. I had to turn around in a 2WD truck going to The Tower after a rain storm.

3. I spent almost a whole night digging same truck out of a sandpit in the Doña Anas.

What the hell is a 2WD truck?

BigCountry wrote:

What the hell is a 2WD truck?

You can rent one at the Phoenix airport and it will not make it to the Homestead.

You needed a 4x4 to make it to several crags at Shuteye, but that fact is going to be irrelevant for a while.

Nkane 1 wrote:

You can rent one at the Phoenix airport and it will not make it to the Homestead.

This is true, and why I borrowed the Tucson. Unfortunately that did not end well either. I am ashamed that the dude in the Impreza actually made it. 

Get the 4WD (a proper part-time, user-selectable transfer case type 4WD). Drive almost everywhere in 2WD and use 4WD when needed. Now that said, unless you're seeking out mud, sand, or crawling type fun, some good tires and decent clearance will go a loooong way, if you know how to drive in adverse conditions.

Another reason for 4WD is for increased access to more than just climbing areas. There's some incredible terrain/scenery to discover out there. Overlanding ftw.

Nkane 1 wrote:

You can rent one at the Phoenix airport and it will not make it to the Homestead.

Lmao you shouldn't make it anywhere in whatever that is 

Its not a matter of can you make it. Its more of how long will your car last?  I don't think they make 'em to last forever anymore.  So the 76 VW Square Back could handle it without falling apart.  On the other hand, one year, not too long ago, on the road up to S Ridge in Idyllwild, I came across a Prius front bumper and passenger side fender.  Right at the first sharp left, just past that bivy spot that has a great view of Lilly Rock.  Low and behold, there was the Prius parked right next to the Parking Lot boulder at the S Ridge trailhead.  Damn thing was only a couple years old.  

Too much of that and you won't have the car too long.

Maybe it’s already been mentioned but many AWD cars do great in the snow but suck off highway unless the road is flat.   Many of these AWD cars transmissions will start to overheat and burn up if doing any steep hill climbing. I nearly burned out the transmission on an AWD Honda Pilot on a hill my truck and Jeep could drive all day long.  If it’s not geared low you could be looking at some costly repairs from burning out the transmission.   The Honda Pilot was a champ in the snow but a complete dog in the dirt.