Ford

From Trail-Finder -- Dedicated to getting you outside

A ford is a river crossing where there is no bridge. Basic fords, the most common type you'll encounter in backcountry, are nothing but a solid river bottom which you walk across. Fords normally are relatively shallow, but do have some current. Horses just walk across. Hikers with waterproof boots may also just walk across. Those without waterproof boots often remove boots and socks and cross, or look for nearby logs and/or rocks to cross. Occasionally, fords will include a hand line to make it safer to cross in strong currents.

Old fords which were once roads may have either laid stone or poured concrete beds. Be sure not to accidentally fall of the upriver side of these fords, as there may be considerable undertow due to pipes under the roadbed used to reduce water flow over the top.

If you cross a ford and soak your socks, you should change into dry socks as soon as possible to avoid blisters.