Riser Ford

Total Miles
3.2

Elevation

481.99 ft

Duration

0.5 Hours

Technical Rating

5

Moderate

Best Time

Summer, Fall

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Riser Ford 7

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.

Photos of Riser Ford

Riser Ford
Riser Ford

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

5

Status Reports

Sean M
Jul 20, 2024
2010 Nissan Xterra
Open
Rough/Deteriorated
Dusty
Zach Layte
Jun 28, 2024
2013 Ford F-Series Super Duty
Open
Rough/Deteriorated
Trail wasn't too bad. Pretty much a gravel road with some ruts. Water crossing was pretty low but haven't had a good rain in awhile. Suitable for most 4x4 vehicles. Gets a little narrow for a superduty but made it through with minimal pinstripes.
Aamir Jalal
Jun 17, 2024
2007 Toyota 4Runner
Open
Normal
The trail was essentially unmaintained, paved roads. A couple potholes, patches of gravel, and a small water crossing towards the end that was ankle level deep. Barely made a splash going through. Not much needed to go through that trail. Stock Subaru or even a Camry could possibly go through
Mateusz Lenart
Jun 17, 2024
4x4
Open
Normal
This should be rated much lower than it is. Mostly paved road and gravel road. I would be comfortable taking any 2 wheel economy car through this trail. The only spot that had a “challenge” is a bit of a rut before the creek. The creek most likely does not go more than a foot of still water. The whole thing took about 13 minutes. There is even a by pass by rut.

Access Description

Coming from Route 40, there is a very sharp bend in the road (almost 180-degree hairpin). The road almost appears to be a driveway, but it is a marked road. Coming from the bottom, there is an easy drive in to the creek crossing.

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