Flexy Ditch (NFS 5187)

Trail Overview

Forest Service Road 5187 is a fun off-road trail in Western Michigan. This trail is located just off West 4 Mile Road. Although a vast majority of this trail is very easy, there are a few obstacles along the way, giving it a Technical and Difficulty Rating of 5. You will encounter a section of trail personally dubbed the "Flexy Ditch" section, which does have a bypass around it. It's a mostly washed-out off-camber part of the trail between a couple of trees that will flex out your suspension a bit and make you pay a little closer attention to your driving skills than the rest of the trails nearby. This washout can get extremely deep. You'll also encounter a decently large mud hole as well. There are 3 options to take, with the center being the deepest. The eastern side option is the shallowest, with the western side option being slightly deeper and a bit more challenging since you have to make a turn while in the mud hole. Most of the trail is a combination of sand and dirt and weaves through a beautiful forest with great fall foliage, especially with a blanket of snow covering it. This trail isn't traveled as often and has some sections that can get a bit tight with overgrowth. Please use caution if you're wary of pinstripes. This trail also has a spur trail, NFS 5185. Like most Michigan trails, conditions are dependent on the weather. Recent rainfall can cause mud/water holes that can get rutted out quickly. This trail has probably the most elevation change for the trails in the area. Please use caution in the off-camber section, but it is a really fun section of trail to conquer. Enjoy this trail responsibly!

Photos of Flexy Ditch (NFS 5187)

Want to see more?

Login

Difficulty

Multiple rutted hill climbs with tree roots can make these climbs more challenging, especially during or after inclement weather. There's a washed-out hilly section that is very off-camber personally dubbed the "Flexy Ditch" section. There is a bypass around this obstacle, but during or after inclement weather, this section could become steeper, more off-camber, and all-around more challenging. Midway through the trail is a mud hole section. There are 3 options to take with the center being the deepest. The eastern side option is the shallowest, with the western side option being slightly deeper and a bit more challenging since you have to make a turn while in the mud hole. The rest of the trail besides these 3 obstacles would be rated at a 2 due to it only being wide enough for 1 to 2 vehicles.

Technical Rating