Created in 1973, Wisconsin's Rustic Roads Program set out to preserve and identify lightly traveled country roads for the enjoyment of bikers, hikers and motorists. Since its inception, the state has marked 108 Rustic Roads, all identified with a unique brown and yellow sign. To avoid confusion with standard signage each sign begins with the letter R, such as R50 or R108.
   Here in Price County, in the northwest section of the state, byway travelers will find that Rustic Road 105 is one of the most recent Rustic Road additions. Located in Wisconsin's northwoods and the immense Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Rustic Road R105 follows FR 148 (Smith Rapids Road) and FR 144 (Shady Knoll Road), forming a loop with Route 70 and FR 535. Both paved and gravel roads make up this convenient loop-style byway covering 13 miles.
   Some of the highlights of this backcountry road include Smith Rapids, a modern glue-lam covered bridge, and a popular hiking trail. The Town truss system, supporting the bridge, is named after its designer, architect and engineer Itheil Town. The early 19th century design features a familiar diamond shaped truss pattern on the sidewalls. The West Trail, built for an odd mix of ATVs and equestrian riders, follows along the South Fork of the Flambeau River. Another byway point of interest is the one of a kind Round Lake logging dam. Built in 1878, the dam stored up water to boost the river level enough to carry logs downstream.
   While this scene captures the trees in early spring, this section of the national forest gets the most attention in the fall. Covering over a million and a half acres and eleven counties, the Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest puts on a real show of color when nature’s reds and golds contrast with the forest evergreens.

     Byway Map