Guanella Pass Scenic Byway

Posted on August 22, 2018 by siteadmin

Guanella Pass is in central Colorado, 45 miles west of Denver. The byway’s northern access is in Georgetown and its southern in Grant. It is 22 miles long and follows Guanella Pass Road. The first ten miles from Georgetown is paved; the remaining is gravel. Large RVs or vehicles pulling trailers are not recommended on the byway. Guanella Pass is usually maintained year-round except for days following heavy snow. Caution should be exercised if traveling the byway in winter.

From an elevation of 8,500 feet in Grant, Guanella Pass climbs through Geneva Creek Canyon, passes Scott Gomer Creek Falls, and enters the large mountain meadow of Geneva Park. The park is surrounded by mountains exceeding 13,000 feet. Just beyond the park is a side trip worth taking. A rough road (recommended only for high-clearance vehicles) leads to the townsite of Geneva City. The remains lie in a basin near the headwaters of Geneva Creek where cabins and mills dot the landscape. The townsite is on private property; take only pictures. Also, the road to the townsite is popular with mountain bikers; please use caution!

Perhaps the highlight of the byway is the summit of Guanella Pass where travelers are rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Hiking enthusiasts gather here to begin their exploration of nearby Mount Evans Wilderness. It also attracts cross-country skiers in winter. Once beyond the summit, the byway descends into Georgetown with South Clear Creek flowing alongside.

Gold mining lured prospectors to Georgetown in 1859, but silver became the town’s claim to fame. Georgetown was known as the “Silver Queen” and once boasted of more than 5,000 residents. Over 200 Victorian structures were built during the silver mining boom. The Georgetown Silver Plume Mining District is a National Historic Landmark.

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Leslie Gulch – Succor Creek Back Country Byway

Posted on August 21, 2018 by siteadmin

This scenic byway is 100 miles southeast of Baker City in eastern Oregon, near the Idaho state line. The 52-mile byway follows Succor Creek Road and Leslie Gulch Road, which are a combination of dirt and gravel roads. A high-clearance, two-wheel drive vehicle is recommended to travel the entire byway. Large RVs and vehicles pulling trailers are strongly discouraged from traveling Leslie Gulch Road because of its sustained 11 percent grade. The byway is also steep and narrow within Succor Creek Canyon, the segment through the state recreation area. Leslie Gulch – Succor Creek is generally open mid-April through October. Severe summer rainstorms can cause the byway to become impassable.

Leslie Gulch – Succor Creek Back Country Byway travels through the beautifully rugged landscape of eastern Oregon. It first crosses sagebrush-covered hills and then descends into the rugged canyon carved by Succor Creek. The byway then climbs back out of Succor Creek Canyon to rolling stretches of open landscape. The side trip on Leslie Gulch Road is a neat drive through a narrow and winding canyon of steep cliffs and towering rock spires. This road ends on the bank of 53-mile long Lake Owyhee.

Those interested in staying awhile will find camping areas courtesy of the BLM and the State of Oregon. Located along the byway is Succor Creek State Recreation Area where you will find 19 primitive campsites with picnic tables. Lake Owyhee State Park offers 40 campsites; ten with electric hookups. The park also provides a dump station, shower facilities, and access to Lake Owyhee. The BLM campground at the bottom of Leslie Gulch has 12 sites and a boat ramp.

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Cedar Breaks

Posted on December 30, 2015 by siteadmin

Cedar Breaks is 14 miles east of Cedar City in southwest Utah. The short six-mile byway follows UT 148 alongside Cedar Breaks National Monument between UT 14 and UT 143. Utah Highway 148 is a two-lane paved road suitable for all types of vehicles. Cedar Breaks is closed during winter.

The Cedar Breaks scenic byway takes travelers through the stunningly beautiful Cedar Breaks National Monument. Turnouts along the byway provide panoramic views of this nature-made amphitheater. Byway travelers are treated to forests of pine, fir, spruce, aspen, and mountain meadows filled with wildflowers. The colorful display of wildflowers reaches its peak during July and August. In September, the aspen trees turn a bright gold. Byway travelers are most likely to encounter mule deer grazing in the meadows every morning and evening.

The visitor center near Point Supreme Campground offers exhibits on the plants and animals of the area as well as the formation of the amphitheater. Wasatch Ramparts Trail begins here and follows the rim for two miles, taking you to panoramic overlooks. Along the trail at Spectra Point is a stand of bristlecone pine, some trees being over 1,500 years old.

About midway along the scenic drive is the Alpine Pond Trail. This is a short, easy, self-guided trail that guides you to Alpine Pond where wildflowers grow along the shore. A stand of bristlecone pine is near the Chessman Ridge Overlook.

A campground and picnic area is located near Point Supreme. The campground offers 30 sites for tents and recreational vehicles. Drinking water and comfort stations are among the facilities available.

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California Trail

Posted on December 30, 2015 by siteadmin

The California Trail scenic byway is in northeast Nevada about 75 miles northeast of Elko. It can be accessed in either Thousand Springs or Jackpot on US 93. California Trail is 76 miles long and follows Elko County Roads C765, C763, C761, and C762. All the roads are gravel and are suitable for passenger cars except under adverse weather conditions. The byway is generally open May through October.

California Trail Back Country Byway follows the footsteps and wagon trains of settlers who used this route as the path to a better life in California. Trailmarkers along the byway identify the California Trail. Wagon wheel ruts made by the pioneers can still be seen at many places along the byway. The Mammoth Ruts site is located on private property, please respect the landowners’ rights and obtain permission before exploring this site.

As you travel this scenic byway, you’ll also be retracing part of the path of the old Magic City Freight Line. This route was once used by horse-drawn wagons to haul goods between Toana, Nevada and Magic City, Idaho (now known as Twin Falls).

Though this byway travels through isolated countryside, opportunities for outdoor recreation are plentiful. Photographers and wildlife observers will delight in the many opportunities for spotting mule deer or photographing nature’s work of art. Several streams and creeks, especially Rock Spring Creek and Thousand Springs Creek provide opportunities for the angler.

Although there are no developed campgrounds along the byway, the Bureau of Land Management does permit dispersed camping nearly anywhere on BLM land. It is best to obtain maps from the BLM that will delineate public lands from private property before setting up camp. Developed camping areas can be found in the Toiyabe National Forest, which lies to the west of the byway.

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Sherman Pass

Posted on December 28, 2015 by siteadmin

Sherman Pass is 80 miles northwest of Spokane in northeast Washington. The byway follows WA 20 between Kettle Falls and Republic. Washington Highway 20 is a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. The byway is 40 miles long and is usually open year-round; delays are possible in winter.

Sherman Pass National Forest Scenic Byway begins in Republic and takes you across the heavily forested Kettle River Range. The byway steadily climbs from Republic, crosses Sherman Pass at 5,575 feet above sea level, and then descends to Kettle Falls. Frequent turnouts are provided along the byway so you can stop and take in the beautiful scenery. The waters of O’Brien Creek will accompany you for much of the way to Sherman Pass. Once you cross the pass, Sherman Creek will guide you along the byway until it meets the Columbia River. You’re pretty much on your own after that but, not to worry, it isn’t difficult finding Kettle Falls. This same route was used by Native Americans long ago as they made their way to the Columbia River for fishing purposes. The trail later became a wagon route for miners. The route is now popular with byway travelers and bicycle riders.

Wildlife observers will be pleased to find many species inhabiting the area. Mule deer and white-tailed deer can be seen, especially in the morning or evening. Other wildlife one might enjoy seeing but not want to get close to is the black bear, coyote, or mountain lion. If you stop at one of the overlooks along the byway, the many songbirds in the area would be happy to sing a tune or two for you.

If you want to take some time to explore the area a bit, there are many trails that would be pleased to provide you access. Kettle Crest National Recreation Trail is one that invites the byway traveler. It can be accessed near the top of Sherman Pass. Other trails will take you among lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, and Douglas fir.

There are two national forest campgrounds located directly along the byway. Sherman Pass Campground has nine sites and an interpretive trail. Canyon Creek Campground has twelve sites. Other campgrounds can be found a short distance off the byway.

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