Snake River – Mormon Basin

Posted on September 24, 2015 by siteadmin

Snake River / Mormon Basin is in northeast Oregon. It forms a loop drive beginning and ending in Baker City. The 150-mile byway follows OR 7, OR 86, OR 245, and a series of county roads marked with byway signs. The roads are a combination of paved, gravel, and narrow dirt roads. A high-clearance vehicle is needed to travel the entire route. Large RVs and vehicles pulling trailers should not attempt to complete the byway. Portions of the byway may become impassable during winter or after periods of heavy rain.

Beginning in Baker City, the byway heads east across the rural countryside before descending into the walled canyon of Powder River. Passing through Richland, the byway heads south along the Powder Arm of Brownlee Reservoir, onto the dirt Snake River Road. From here the byway travels through the Snake River Breaks with Snake River flowing alongside. The byway comes across the BLM Spring Recreation Site where you can pitch a tent and take in the scenery or continue driving. This campground does not have any designated campsites, but picnic tables and drinking water are available.

Continue driving north on old Highway 30 and then I-84 for a few short miles. Take the Rye Valley exit and head west. Through this portion of the byway you’re kept company by the waters of Dixie Creek as you travel through rangeland into pinyon juniper country. In Rye Valley the byway narrows and begins climbing the heavily forested slopes of ponderosa pine, juniper, and Douglas fir to the crest of Mormon Basin.

At a four-way intersection, the byway heads northwest up Glengarry Gulch alongside Clarks Creek through aspen, pine, and juniper forests. Cottonwood Creek will join Clarks Creek as you continue. Shortly, you’ll begin heading west along the Burnt River through Bridgeport Valley until you link up with OR 245.

You’ll want to head north on OR 245 where you will enter the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, taking numerous hairpin turns until you come to the OR 7 junction. Continue north on OR 7 through pine, aspen, and fir until you return to Baker City.

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Kancamagus Scenic Byway

Posted on September 23, 2015 by siteadmin

Kancamagus Scenic Byway is in central New Hampshire approximately 60 miles north of Concord. The 35-mile byway follows NH 112 between Lincoln and Conway. New Hampshire Highway 112 is a two-lane paved road suitable for all types of vehicles. It remains open year-round but driving the byway in winter calls for extra caution.

Kancamagus Scenic Byway climbs nearly 3,000 feet as it crosses the beautiful White Mountains. The waters of Swift River flow alongside the byway once you cross Kancamagus Pass. Several scenic vistas along the route provide panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

There are several hiking trails along the byway. Some trails are short walking trails while others are long and more strenuous. A pleasant walk along the Sabbaday Brook Trail, west of Passaconaway Campground, will lead you to the beautiful Sabbaday Falls. Other trails near here will take you to the top of 4,140-foot Mount Tripyramid. Several wilderness areas surround the byway. These pristine areas offer excellent hiking, back country camping, and horseback riding. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail can be accessed in the Pemigewasset and Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Areas.

White Mountain National Forest has many developed camping and picnicking areas along the byway. There are six public campgrounds from which to choose for an overnight stay. Jigger Johnson Campground is the largest and has 75 sites. Hancock Campground follows in size with 56 campsites. Forty-nine sites are available at Covered Bridge; Passaconaway has 33 sites; Big Rock offers 28 campsites; Blackberry Crossing has 20 sites. Facilities found in each campground include drinking water, picnic tables, and restrooms. None of the campgrounds have electric hookups for recreational vehicles.

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Ohio River Scenic Route

Posted on September 22, 2015 by siteadmin

Ohio River Scenic Route crosses southern Indiana from the Illinois state line to the Ohio state line. The byway is 302 miles long and primarily follows two-lane paved roads. The main routes followed are: IN 56, IN 62, and IN 66. For detailed directions, please see “Following the Ohio River Scenic Route” below. The byway usually remains open year-round.

The byway winds through southern Indiana’s rolling hills, forests, and farmlands, and at times it clings to the river’s edge. As you travel this route, you’ll pass through quaint towns with towering church spires, stately mansions, and historic buildings. You’ll pass cypress swamps and travel atop rock outcrops peering over the Ohio River, and leisurely pass through dense hardwood forests. At times you’ll be given sweeping views of the river, while other times you hardly know it’s there. Below is just a small sample of the many attractions and scenery you will discover along this route.

Something you wouldn’t expect to find in Indiana is a cypress swamp, complete with water lilies and rare birds. This makes for an interesting and enjoyable short side trip off the scenic drive. Just west of Mount Vernon in southwestern Indiana, you can take IN 69 south to the Hovey Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, a 4,300-acre wetland. Here, you can do some fishing or enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the waters of Hovey Lake. Next to the lake is the Twin Swamps Nature Preserve, a cypress swamp in Indiana!

North of Rockport on IN 162, just east of US 231, is Lincoln State Park and the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. It is on this farm that Abraham Lincoln lived from 1816 to 1830. During this time, he grew from a seven-year-old boy to a 21-year-old man. Log farm buildings are staffed by costumed interpreters during the summer months. Visitors are invited to participate in the daily chores that Abe and his family would have performed including breaking flax, splitting wood, or making butter.

The Ohio River Scenic Route passes through portions of the 80,000-acre Hoosier National Forest. The byway travels along the Ohio River in the forest’s southern portion before turning north, passing through stands of hardwoods, pine and cedar, springs, caves, and sinkholes. Several recreation areas are available throughout the national forest that provide camping (no hookups) and picnicking facilities.

Rock outcrops, forested hills, caves, and scenic waterways can be found in the most ruggedly scenic part of the byway, Harrison Crawford State Forest. This state forest encompasses the Wyandotte Woods and Wyandotte Caves State Recreation Areas. Visitors can tour the caves that were once used by prehistoric people for mining operations.

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White Pass

Posted on September 22, 2015 by siteadmin

White Pass is in west-central Washington about 20 miles northwest of Yakima. It follows US 12, a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles, between Naches and Packwood. The byway is 58 miles long and generally remains open year-round. Traveling the byway in winter requires caution, especially in higher elevations.

White Pass scenic byway travels across the Gifford Pinchot and Wenatchee National Forests. It winds through a mixed conifer forest, beautiful meadows ablaze with wildflowers, and passes pristine lakes and cascading waterfalls. The byway crosses 4,500 foot White Pass where the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail may be accessed. Several scenic turnouts and overlooks provide visitors with beautiful views of the surrounding wilderness. They also provide good opportunities for spotting deer, elk, eagles, hawks, or osprey.

Rimrock Lake and the numerous other lakes along the byway offer excellent fishing and boating opportunities. The rivers that feed the lakes also offer good fishing and rafting. Situated along the banks are campgrounds and picnic areas.

Near the byway’s western end is Mount Rainier National Park. Within the park is Washington’s highest peak, 14,410-foot-high Mount Rainier. This beautiful mountain peak is a dormant volcano supporting the largest glacial system in the lower 48 states. There are 27 named glaciers encompassing 35 square miles. Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile hiking trail that completely circles the mountain peak. To walk the entire trail takes anywhere between 10 and 14 days. Those interested in camping will find over 600 campsites within the park.

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Chimney Peak

Posted on September 22, 2015 by siteadmin

The Chimney Peak Back Country Byway is situated in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains of south-central California. The byway begins approximately 60 miles northwest of Bakersfield, off CA 178. This is the best point to begin the scenic drive.

Chimney Peak is a 39-mile, Type II Back Country Byway. Beginning from CA 178, the byway follows Canebrake Road north to Kennedy Meadows Road and then circles Chimney Peak on Long Valley Loop Road back to its junction with Canebrake Road. The roads are narrow, secondary roads that are washboard-like at times. Some sections may become impassable in winter and early spring. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended; normal passenger cars can usually complete the trip by using extra care.

Three wilderness areas surround travelers of the byway: Owens Peak, Chimney Peak, and Domeland. Trails, including the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, take hikers and backpackers into the wilderness areas. The remoteness of the byway lends a feeling of the rugged old west.

Two campgrounds are available to byway travelers: Chimney Creek and Long Valley. Chimney Creek has 36 sites with picnic tables and fire rings. No water or trash receptacles are provided. Long Valley has 13 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. A trail here will take you to the scenic South Fork Kern River. Pit toilets are available at both campgrounds. Bears do inhabit the area, so take necessary precautions with food and pack out all trash.

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