Trail Overview
FS 2973 Navigates from its intersection with Jack Pine Road FS 2301 to its intersection with FS 2086B. This is a rugged two-track trail which runs east to west in the southeastern portion of the Nicolet National Forest. The trail has a sandy base throughout most of its length and navigates through mature pine forests, as well as areas with mature hardwoods. Several portions have been logged off, leaving only small saplings behind or open plains. The terrain through most of the trail is small rolling hills with moderate grades. There is a small water crossing of about 6-10 inches deep located on the western end of this trail. It has a sandy base and should be easily navigable by most vehicles. Cell service in this area is acceptable for the most part; however, downloaded maps are never a bad idea since the towers in this area can become crowded from summer tourists, leading to slow service. Most forest roads in this area have some amount of snowmobile trail traffic on them in the winter months. It is best to avoid them when there is snow on the ground.
Difficulty
This trail can be completed by all experience levels of riders. 4x4 or a winch is recommended for the water crossing. While the water crossing base is sand, after repeated crossings, the base can become soft and very sticky. The trail is a narrow two-track with areas spread throughout that allow for vehicles to pass. Small trees and plants overhang the trail, so small scratches can be expected in the summer months as plants green up. This trail is unmaintained for the most part, so seeing a tree down or debris on the trail could be expected after severe weather.
