Lets face it, the good stuff is hard to get to. Rare is the incredible view / wildlife / camping spot / or fishing hole that is a few quick turns past some easy land marks. When you do find this rare location, it is quickly rendered un-incredible because everyone else found it too.

The turn will be on your left past two big rocks.

Enter the fine art of navigating back country roads.

Let me say up front that neither Garmin nor Google will give you all the answers on this quest. These devices or services may have accurate maps but if you need a voice giving you turn by turn directions (my favorite is Mr. T) you won’t even leave your driveway.

The best way to find the best spots is to go with someone who knows. Not only will you get there quickly but if you volunteer to drive, you are more likely to remember how to get there the next time.

The next best way to find your way there is to consult a good guide. (Shameless Plug Alert) I tend to think the directions on our guides are pretty good, we give you a map too and a map of the trail. But we aren’t everywhere you might want to go so I won’t be jealous if you pick up another trail guide.

The third way is to just knuckle down and do your own research. By this I mean pulling out all the 1/24,000 USGS maps and marking them up with places that look good and places you’ve heard about.

The fourth way is to rely only on word of mouth. This is by far the least recommended since you usually end up working with phrases such as: “turn left past the old wooden stump and then drive for a ways till you get to the old road, go between two of the fence posts on the left and then around the small hill.”

Each way has its rewards. I guess it depends on whether or not you want to explore the incredible places or explore on your way to the incredible places.

Rejected titles for this blog include:
-Turn Where
-Intersections with no signs and other spooky tales
-Up the road a ways and turn when you see three trees with one of em bigger than the others.