Trail Overview

Williams Branch Forest Road 1157 is a narrow-overgrown trail that varies in elevation between pine forests on the ridges to thick hardwoods in the lower areas. Passing by the marked campsite the trail becomes narrower and more overgrown. Expect pinstripes on a full-size rig. 4Low is highly recommended to climb in and out of some of the rutted-out trails. This trail was obstructed by a widow maker of trees. A chainsaw and winch will be needed to clear the trail. This is a through route back to 76 highway if the fallen trees are removed.

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Difficulty

Steep grades with washed out sections of trail creating deep off camber ruts. Very narrow trail for full size rigs with lots of large logs lining sections of trail. Downed trees are common, bring a chainsaw if you want to make it all the way through.

Technical Rating

Iam MSG

May 11, 2026

Open

Good trail with some technical sections for a stock 26 Wrangler Willys. Went south to north. Completed the full loop. One downed tree has created a bypass into the creek bed with a good little drop off that may be an issue for anything with lower clearance.

Jake Horner

Mar 05, 2025

Open

We took a 4 door wrangler and a gladiator both with small lift and 35” tires without any issues. 4x4 was used a couple times mainly for precaution. If you follow the trail all the way through and out the other side you can expect some pin striping on your rig. There is about 100 yards of washed out gully down the middle of the trail at one point. We startled it and went up it in 2wd. Stock 4 door jeeps and gladiators may struggle on clearance. It was a fun little ride.

Joe C

Aug 28, 2024

Open

Trail wasn’t too overgrown, nor did I drive into any difficult spots. A couple of small downed trees on the trail, but nothing a base vehicle couldn’t go over. Trail is a bit narrow so expect to leave with some pin stripes! It does not go all the way through, so don’t drive into Williams Branch Trail (which is very overgrown) as it will not lead you back out to a main road.

Shannon Brown

Oct 16, 2023

Open