Seaway Trail

Posted on September 22, 2015 by siteadmin

Seaway Trail follows the shoreline of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario as it travels from southwest New York to Rooseveltown. The byway is 454 miles long and follows a series of two-lane paved roads that are suitable for all types of vehicles. For detailed directions, please refer to “Following the Seaway Trail” below. The byway is open year-round.

Seaway Trail travels along the shores of New York’s Great Lakes, the Niagara River, and Saint Lawrence River, connecting quaint villages, historic sites, picturesque bays, and rolling farmland. The route is part of the National Park Service’s National Recreational Trail system and is the longest such trail in the United States. Several scenic overlooks offer spectacular views of the Great Lakes.

During the months of September and October, the Seaway Trail is ablaze with fall colors of red, orange, and gold. Fall foliage tours can be taken by car, boat, floatplane, and train. Farmer’s markets and roadside stands offer autumn’s harvest of fruits and vegetables, or you may desire to pick your own.

The winter months bring cross-country skiers and snowmobilers to the trail. Miles of well groomed trails are found all along the route. Niagara Falls celebrates the season with its Festival of Lights illuminating the majestic waterfalls. In February, visitors can enjoy a frosty hot air balloon ride at the Thousand Island Winter Balloon Festival in Clayton. Farther north along the trail, the Ogensburg “River Shiver” reenacts its War of 1812 battle history.

Fishing opportunities are plentiful along the scenic drive. Both warm and cold-water fish make their home along the Seaway Trail. Fishermen will find bass, walleye, muskellunge, Atlantic and Pacific salmon, brown and rainbow trout, northern pike, and a variety of exotic species. Guides are available for hire that will take you on Lake Erie or Lake Ontario.

For those interested in camping, many state parks and privately owned campgrounds along the byway can accommodate all types of camping interests: tents, recreational vehicles, cottages, and cabins. New York’s state parks also offer hiking trails and picnic areas in addition to fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. Some state parks offer interpretive sites of historic significance. History buffs will find 42 historical markers along the route providing information of events that occurred along the trail in the War of 1812. Historic lighthouses can also be found.

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East Mojave National Scenic Area

Posted on September 22, 2015 by siteadmin

These eight scenic drives are in southeast California, east of Barstow between Interstates 15 and 40. The roads travel through the East Mojave National Scenic Area and are interconnected. All are usually open year-round. Severe thunderstorms can cause the roads to become impassable.

East Mojave National Scenic Area is a unique 1.5 million acre desert region full of scenic, historic, and natural wonders. Table Mountain is a flat-topped mesa visible from many of the routes as are the Providence Mountains. The scenic drives travel through pinyon-juniper woodlands, sage-covered hills, cactus gardens, and colorful volcanic cinder cones and lava beds.

Old mining roads in the New York, Castle, Clark, and Providence Mountains provide opportunities for hiking and mountain biking. Several developed trails are also in the area. Two off-road vehicle trails cross the region: Mojave Road and East Mojave Heritage Trail. Mojave Road is a 130-mile historic Native American trade route that was later developed into a wagon trail. Mojave Road travels east-west through the heart of the National Scenic Area. The East Mojave Heritage Trail, a 700-mile loop beginning and ending in Needles, runs through much of the East Mojave region.

The BLM manages two campgrounds in the National Scenic Area. Hole-in-the-Wall Campground features 37 campsites; some are pull-through. A dump station is also available. Mid Hills Campground has 26 sites. RVs larger than 26 feet may have difficulty maneuvering in the campground. Both campgrounds provide water, restrooms, and picnic tables.

1. Black Canyon Road

Black Canyon Road is 20 miles long and follows a graded dirt road. Normal passenger cars can travel the route as long as caution is used on the rough or sandy segments.

2. Cedar Canyon Road

Cedar Canyon Road is 25 miles long and follows a graded dirt road. Passenger vehicles can safely travel the route as long as caution is used on the rough or sandy segments.

3. Cima Road

Cima Road is 17 miles long and follows a paved road that is suitable for all types of vehicles.

4. Essex Road

Essex Road is 16 miles long. It follows a paved road suitable for all types of vehicles.

5. Kelbaker Road

All but five miles of this 60-mile route follow a paved road. The byway is suitable for travel by all types of vehicles.

6. Kelso-Cima Road

Kelso-Cima Road is 20 miles long and follows a paved road that is suitable for all types of vehicles.

7. Lanfair-Ivenpah Road

This 55-mile route follows a combination of paved and graded dirt road suitable for all vehicles.

8. Wild Horse Canyon

Wild Horse Canyon is 12 miles long. It follows a dirt road that can safely be driven in a two-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle.

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Galice – Hellgate

Posted on September 20, 2015 by siteadmin

Galice – Hellgate is in southwest Oregon about four miles northwest of Grants Pass. Travelers can access the byway from I-5 at Exit #61. The byway travels west to the Siskiyou National Forest. A small segment travels north to Grave Creek, which is the beginning of the Grave Creek to Marial Back Country Byway. Galice – Hellgate is 39 miles long and follows Merlin-Galice Road, Hellgate Road, BLM 34-8-36, and FSR 23. The roads vary from single-lane to two-lane paved roads, which are suitable for passenger vehicles. Forest Service Road 23 is closed in winter; the rest of the byway remains open all year.

The Galice – Hellgate byway begins off I-5 and travels through forested hills and open pastures filled with grazing cattle, until it reaches the Rogue River. Here the landscape changes dramatically as the National Wild and Scenic River cuts through a rugged canyon bordered by forested slopes. In Galice, you can continue the drive for eight miles north with the Rogue River keeping you company. If you decide to head west, you’ll begin climbing away from the river canyon into the heavily forested Siskiyou Mountains.

Rogue River provides some excellent river rafting opportunities. Outfitters in the area can provide everything you need to enjoy a rafting trip on this scenic river. If you’re more interested in pulling fish from the water, you’ll find Chinook salmon, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout among others. The BLM operates a visitor center north of Galice; the folks here are happy to provide information on the river and its recreational opportunities.

There are two developed campgrounds along the byway, both situated on the banks of the river. Indian Mary Campground provides 95 sites with picnic tables, drinking water, full hookups, shower facilities, and access to the river. The Almeda Park is smaller with 25 campsites, drinking water, and a boat ramp.

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Black Hills

Posted on September 19, 2015 by siteadmin

The Black Hills Back Country Byway is in southeast Arizona, east of Safford near the New Mexico border. Eastern access is south of Clifton off US 191 (milepost 160). The byway travels southwest back to US 191 (milepost 139) near US 70 and Safford.

Black Hills is a 21-mile drive along the Old Safford-Clifton Road, an unpaved, narrow, and winding road. The byway is generally open year-round although sections may become impassable during and after heavy rain. Travelers should not attempt to drive the byway if pulling a trailer or in an RV longer than 20 feet. Motorhomes and trailers can be left at parking areas located on each end of the byway.

The Black Hills Back Country Byway passes through the historical territory of the Chiricahua and Western Apache, who arrived in southeast Arizona around 1600. Some Apaches used the area as a local travel route and hideout prior to the surrender of Geronimo in 1886. In 1540, Coronado passed through the area as he led Spanish conquistadors in search of gold and the Seven Cities of Cibola.

Each end of the byway begins in a desert shrub plant community and travels up through bands of desert grassland and then higher into stands of juniper, pinyon pine, and oaks. The Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area preserves 21,000 acres of scenic desert canyons surrounding perennial rivers and creeks. The byway crosses the conservation area near the Old Safford Bridge.

Near the byway’s western end are rock piles marking prisoner grave sites. This road was originally built by prisoners between 1914 and 1920. In 1916, a prisoner was killed by a guard while attempting to escape.

Near the east end of the byway is the Old Safford Bridge. Originally designed to be made of steel, it was constructed of concrete due to limits on the use of steel during World War I. The bridge was completed in 1918 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Picnic areas at each end of the bridge serve as launch points for those interested in floating the Gila River.

Recreation along the byway is diverse and plentiful. Many primitive side roads invite off-road-vehicle users and challenges the experienced mountain biker. Rock collectors will want to visit the Black Hills Rockhound Area near the byway’s western end. Anglers may wish to spend some time fishing in the Gila River. In early spring, snowmelt enables rafts, kayaks, and canoes to float through the Gila Box to Bonita Creek, 19 miles downstream.

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Glade Top Trail

Posted on September 17, 2015 by siteadmin

Glade Top Trail is in southwest Missouri about 55 miles southeast of Springfield. To reach the northern terminus from Ava, follow MO 5 south to MO “A.” Follow MO “A” to CR 409 and take CR 409 to the national forest entrance, where the byway officially begins. Glade Top Trail is 23 miles long and follows FSR 147 and FSR 149, which are two-lane gravel roads suitable for most vehicles. The roads usually remain open year-round; caution is needed during winter.

The Glade Top Trail cuts across the Mark Twain National Forest traveling through narrow ridge tops above the surrounding rolling countryside. Numerous scenic vistas of the Springfield Plateau to the west and the Saint Francis and Boston Mountains to the south reward the traveler of this byway. The changing seasons paint the area with brilliant colors of red and orange in autumn. Dogwood, serviceberry, redbud, and wild fruit trees make their presence known in the spring.

Wildlife observers will delight in the numerous species inhabiting this region of Missouri. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, bobwhite, quail, squirrels, rabbits, and many varieties of songbirds are among the wildlife seen along the byway. The glades also provide a home for wildlife not often encountered in the Ozarks, such as the roadrunner.

Developed recreational facilities are limited. There are no public campgrounds along the byway, however, the Caney Picnic Area provides a nice spot for taking a break and enjoying lunch. A short hiking trail here leads to a small but interesting cave. The nearest national forest camping facilities are 30 miles northwest on MO 125.

The Mark Twain National Forest provides other recreational pursuits in addition to picnicking. Numerous side roads make for a pleasurable drive, taking you farther into the national forest. They also offer a challenge to those interested in bicycling. The Hercules Glades Wilderness to the west of the byway has several trails for hiking or horseback riding. Many rivers and streams running through the forest provide anglers with the opportunity to catch bass, bluegill, catfish, or crappie.

Branson lies approximately 30 miles west of the byway and offers music shows, a scenic train ride, and opportunities for outdoor recreation.

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