Forest Road 75

You may love to hike along gravel Forest Service Roads, but I do not. Forest Road 75 runs along the eastern edge of Dolly Sods from Bear Rocks to just northeast of Laneville. It can make a loop out of several trails, but why would you want to?

Starting at Red Creek Campground

On one April trip, we started hiking south on FR 75. If you look out at the horizon, you will see where the road disappears over a distant hill. I hiked to that location and snapped the next photograph. I repeated this procedure untill we reached the gate at the south end of FR 75.

Hiking on Gravel Roads

Whenever I hike on a gravel road, I always get a stone in my boots. This is where the first stone got in my boot. Of course, I didn't stop to take it out because I would only be disappointed about how small the pebble really was. Instead I walked along and mentally visualized the jellybean sized stone that must be grinding a monstrous blister into my heal. When I finally remove the stone, it turns out to be the size of a pinhead.

Why so Straight?

I think the engineers that built this road must have been homophobic. How could anyone build something so straight?

Forest Roads are Dusty

It seems like the forest roads are far dirtier than the backcountry. God help you if someone speeds past you in a pickup truck. ...cough...cough.... Come to think of it, more urban settings are dirtier than the wilderness. Forest roads are the path to the urban wasteland of the cities.

"Oh, there is a beer bottle. I must be getting closer to civilization."

Forest Roads are Hard

I always have sore feet after hiking on a gravel road. It is nothing like hiking across a pleasant meadow or pine needle-covered forest.

On that thought: Each Christmas I go shopping at the mall and my feet ache more than they do after 10 miles of hiking in the wilderness. I assure you that the distance between Victoria's Secret and the Pepridge Farms stand does not exceed 1/2 mile.

Boring

Did you remember that these pictures were each taken from the horizon of the last picture. .....yawn.....

Trip...Stumble

When I hike on a forest road, I grow careless and stop paying close attention to the placement of my feet. This can be very dangerous with a 40 pound backpack on. I always stumble more on forest roads.

The Trappings of Civilization

Could my dislike of forest roads arise out of my reluctance to renter 'civilized' society after a retreat into nature. What could be more depressing than a good old clearcut gravel road after a glorious journey into nature.

Hypocrisy in a Sport Utility Vehicle

As I climb into my SUV, I recollect that a soft seat and comfortable bed are good things.

As for forest roads, how would I get to the backcountry places that I love without them? ( i could walk. )

Actually, FR75 is a reasonably pleasant road that can be an effective way to make a loop, especially with trails in the North region of Dolly Sods. If you are hiking or backpacking on a summer weekend stay off FR 75. It can have a surprising amount of siteseeing traffic. You will eat a lot of dust kicked up by speeding motorists.