FS 742

Trail Overview

FS 742 connects FS 743 in the southeast with County Road 44 in the northwest. Only street-legal "plated" vehicles are allowed. Travelling northwest from FS 743, it begins as a well-graded gravel road, which gently runs through a forest of small pines mixed with a few small hardwoods. Things start off along a valley but eventually begin to gain a little elevation. After about 3 miles, at the top of a gentle ridgeline, the road abruptly changes from a well-maintained road into more of a trail. At this point, it's one vehicle wide with sporadic places to easily pass. Traffic seems to be very minimal, though. To start, the trail follows this ridgeline, gently flowing along the hilltops. Eventually, the trees get larger and more forest-like, and the trail becomes covered with pine needles. Ruts begin to develop longitudinally along the tire tracks. The section finishes down and back up a steeper, short hill through a fairly rutted and potentially muddy area. After this and moving further toward the northwest, the trail turns back into a well-maintained dirt road. It's very much like the entry road except there is more dirt and less gravel, surrounded by scrub. When dry, this section is good terrain with plenty of traction. When wet, it becomes extremely slick with cakey red clay mud. Cell service can be hit or miss, but it's generally decent. There aren't any stores for fuel or food anywhere within the national forest, but there are convenience stores in the surrounding towns. Centreville, which is the largest city in the area, is 10 miles to the northeast.

Photos of FS 742

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Difficulty

The main roads near the beginning and end of the trail are easy and would have a rating of 1 or 2 on their own. However, the section in the middle, which has no bypass, is more technical. There are some shallow mudholes that span the width of the trail. It has ruts no more than a foot deep and a short, steeper rutted climb at the end, which can be muddy when wet. This section also has more limited passing opportunities.

Technical Rating

FS 742 can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• Dirt Bike