SFR 743/743A

Total Miles
1.4

Elevation

189.90 ft

Duration

0.75 Hours

Technical Rating

3

Easy

Best Time

Spring, Fall

Trail Overview

The SFR 743/743A branches off the Natural Bridge Road SFR 750 within Shawnee National Forest. The SFR 743/743A adds to the depth of the experience of going to the Natural Bridge, where the 750 gives you a scenic road and a hike, and the SFR 743/743A brings offroading and wildlife to the mix. Overall the trail slowly works its way down a hilltop going from gravel to natural dirt as it reaches the creek bottoms. Along the way you hit small water collections, that lead to the rutted downhill muddy section at the fork where the 743A picks up, then the grade drops quicker adding water erosion and off-camber sections to the mix, this ultimately leads you to the bottoms where a creek runs near the trail. If you continue, you'll lead to the power line clearing and the last stretch of the tree line. Turn around and head back out.

Photos of SFR 743/743A

SFR 743/743A
SFR 743/743A

Difficulty

Road slowly transforms from gravel to dirt, level maintained road to an uneven inconsistent downward grade. Trail includes ruts, mud, dirt, dirt mounds you have to climb over on the hills. It's a fun little adventure to get your tires dirty and thrill your inner offroader.

Technical Rating

3

Access Description

Using IL-127 Turn westward onto Pomona Road, travel .8 mile to the next stop sign, and turn right onto Natural Bridge Road, in 100 yards stay right to continue on the gravel road which is the beginning of the Natural Bridge Road Trail, there will be a "750" marker sign on the right at the entrance, follow the Natural Bridge Road for 2.1 miles, then at the fork hang right, you are on the SFR 743, roughly 37.64857, -89.34055.

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