Trail Overview
Tucked away just a stone's throw from Highway 22, FS 2200171 offers a beautifully secluded out-and-back drive through a lush, vibrantly green evergreen forest managed by the National Forest Service. Outdoor enthusiasts often utilize this convenient, short dirt spur to quickly escape the pavement for quiet backcountry exploration, woodland hiking, or to access primitive dispersed camping sites nestled among the trees. The entrance is incredibly easy to access, situated less than 100 feet from the highway and clearly marked by a brown vertical post displaying "171" alongside an open metal cattle gate. As you embark on the steady climb, you are immediately enveloped by a dense, thriving understory of ferns, maples, and broadleaf shrubs that heavily crowd the edges of the path. While some sections feel quite overgrown, the trail is wonderfully free of large boulders or downed trees, allowing for a peaceful, immersive drive deep into the woods before the track eventually dead-ends.
Difficulty
Earning a mild Grade 2 difficulty rating, this is a narrow, packed gravel and dirt out-and-back spur characterized by encroaching brush and moderate surface erosion. Drivers must carefully navigate several one-foot-tall water bars and deep, uneven rain ruts carved into the center of the track. Having elevated ground clearance is highly recommended to safely straddle these eroded trenches without scraping your undercarriage. Keep a slow, deliberate pace to manage the uneven terrain, which can become noticeably softer and more challenging after heavy rainfall, and be prepared for some light, unavoidable pinstriping from the vibrant branches crowding the narrow path.
