Riser Ford

Total Miles
3.2

Elevation

481.99 ft

Duration

0.5 Hours

Technical Rating

Moderate

Best Time

Summer, Fall

Trail Overview

This seldom-traveled road is super fun road in either direction. A wide ford across Sideling Hill Creek near Swain Hollow is very fun, but beware it is at least 18 feet deep even in near-drought conditions. There is a gated seasonal road (out-and-back) approximately halfway that you can access when open, which is a dirt two-track trail.

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Difficulty

The difficulty rating is strictly for the Sideling Hill Creek water crossing, which will be at least 18 inches deep. You will need a capable 4x4 and know where your engine's air intake is to cross this creek! There are no other obstacles of any consequence on this track.

Technical Rating

Status Reports

David W

Sep 16, 2024

4x4

Open

Dusty

Great trail nothing crazy but very pretty. It hadn’t rained in almost 10 days and the water level was still pretty high. I would consider checking the forecast 5 days prior.

Brandman Two

Sep 15, 2024

2023 Jeep Gladiator

Open

Normal

Dusty

Trial was mostly gravel with some area of wash out. The thrill on this trail is the water crossing. Many have said that the water level is usually no less than 18”, but when I crossed it was a little lower due to the lack of meaningful rain. It was a beautiful run through the woods, however.

Phillip Kancianic

Aug 31, 2024

2023 Ford Bronco Sport

Open

Normal

Super easy and fun trail, entirely uphill or downhill, both if you can’t cross the stream. The water was murky and I saw a red truck bigger than me turn around on the other side so figured I should do the same. Crossing is at the end so can go down and back up like we did. Enough room to pass others if careful, we encountered just one truck on the route. No obstacles otherwise to speak of. About 20 min one way.

Tim Mcdaniel

Aug 06, 2024

4x4

Open

Normal

Needs rating lowered to a 2/10 due to it being a gravel road with a small water crossing at the end that could get water in stock vehicles. If not for the crossing 1/10 would be the difficulty rating I would give it.