Top of the Rockies

Posted on June 29, 2015 by siteadmin

Top of the Rockies is about 75 miles west of Denver in central Colorado. It’s 82 miles long and follows US 24 and CO 91. A seven-mile segment to Twin Lakes follows CO 82. All the roads are two-lane paved roads suitable for all types of vehicles. The byway is usually passable year-round but extra caution should be used in winter.

Top of the Rockies crosses the Continental Divide twice and traces the Arkansas River nearly to its source in the area of Fremont Pass. Mount Elbert and Mount Massive rise over 14,000 feet and dominate the landscape between Granite and Leadville. Leadville is the highest incorporated community in the United States. Just north of Leadville, the byway splits. The western route follows US 24 through the White River National Forest. The eastern route follows CO 91 and crosses Fremont Pass near Climax.

The national forests surrounding the byway offer extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation. Several campgrounds are situated around the Twin Lakes area with a total of 213 RV and tent sites. The campgrounds are usually open spring to fall. There are no hookups available. Off US 24 near Redcliff is the Hornsilver Campground, managed by the national forest. It offers 12 campsites and has an RV length limit of 16 feet.

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Historic Columbia River Highway

Posted on June 27, 2015 by siteadmin

Historic Columbia River Highway is in northwest Oregon, east of Portland. The byway is divided into two segments. The western portion begins near Troutdale at Exit #18 on I-84 and follows Crown Point Highway for approximately 21 miles. It rejoins I-84 at Exit #35. The eastern segment begins at I-84 Exit #69 and follows US 30 to I-84 Exit #83 near The Dalles. The byway is a total of 37 miles long and follows two-lane paved roads suitable for all types of vehicles. Historic Columbia River Highway usually remains open year-round.

Historic Columbia River Highway rewards the traveler with beautiful overlooks of the Columbia River and tumbling waterfalls. The western segment travels through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The gorge is a spectacular river canyon cutting the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountains. Perhaps the highlight of this segment of the byway is Multnomah Falls, which drops 620 feet. A paved one-mile trail takes you to the top of the falls. Nearby is the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge, which was built in 1925 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Inside the lodge is an information center, a restaurant, snack bar, and gift shop.

There are numerous state parks along the byway. Most have only day-use facilities such as hiking trails and picnic areas, but offer the chance to stop and enjoy the rich beauty of the area. Many of the hiking trails will guide you to waterfalls. Camping facilities are available in Ainsworth and Memaloose State Parks. Ainsworth State Park is on the western segment of the byway and has 45 RV sites with electric, water, and sewage hookups. The park is usually open March through October. Memaloose State Park is off I-84 eleven miles west of The Dalles. It is open April through October and has 43 RV sites and 67 tent sites.

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White Mountains Trail

Posted on June 26, 2015 by siteadmin

White Mountains Trail is in central New Hampshire. It begins in North Woodstock and heads north to Twin Mountain. From Twin Mountain it travels south to Conway. The byway is approximately 70 miles long and follows US 3, I-93, US 302, and NH 16. The roads are two- and four-lane paved roads suitable for all vehicles. White Mountains Trail is usually open year-round.

White Mountains Trail travels across central New Hampshire among the beautiful White Mountains. Travelers are treated to views of mountains, valleys, gorges, waterfalls, and unique rock formations. Several turnouts provide scenic views of the surrounding mountains. In Bretton Woods, visitors can take the historic Mount Washington Cog Railway to the summit of the highest mountain in the Northeast. Rail excursions of varying length are offered from the Conway Scenic Railroad in Conway.

The byway is never far from the White Mountains National Forest where outdoor recreation opportunities abound. Hikers can access the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Numerous other trails accessed from the byway range from short, easy walks to wilderness adventures. There is only one national forest campground located directly along the byway. Zealand Campground, between Twin Mountain and Bretton Woods, has a total of 11 campsites. The small campground is open May to October.

White Mountains Trail passes through two state parks: Franconia Notch and Crawford Notch. Franconia Notch State Park is 6,440 acres situated between Franconia and Kinsman mountain ranges. It contains several interesting natural features including “Old Man of the Mountain.” The campground here has 97 sites. Crawford Notch State Park is 5,775 acres and contains two beautiful waterfalls, among other natural features. It has a primitive, 30-site campground. Both campgrounds are open May through October.

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Sylamore

Posted on June 26, 2015 by siteadmin

Sylamore scenic drive is 25 miles southeast of Mountain Home in north-central Arkansas. The byway begins in Calico Rock and travels south to Allison and then west to Blanchard Springs Caverns. It follows AR 5, AR 14, and FSR 1110 for a total of 26 miles. All the roads are two-lane paved roads suitable for all types of vehicles and are usually open year-round.

Sylamore scenic byway travels through a beautifully scenic portion of the Ozark National Forest, through a forest of oak and hickory with stands of shortleaf pine, and across rugged, rocky outcrops. Portions of the byway follow the banks of the White River, popular for canoeing and fishing.

Blanchard Springs Recreation Area is perhaps the main attraction of the byway. Within this recreation area are the Blanchard Springs Caverns. Cavern tours depart from the visitor center daily throughout the year except on some holidays. One guided tour is accessible to the handicapped.

Also found in the recreation area is a 32-site campground on the bank of North Sylamore Creek. Picnic tables, drinking water, restrooms, and a sanitary dump station are provided. The day use area has 32 picnic tables, restrooms, and a swimming area with bathhouses and showers. The North Sylamore Trail can be accessed in this area. During the summer months, evening programs about the many facets of the national forest are presented at the Shelter Cave Amphitheater.

Wildlife observers should be on the lookout for white-tailed deer and wild turkey. Birdwatchers can look for more than 150 species of birds, including bluejays, robins, cardinals, warblers, and finches. During the winter months, bald eagles can occasionally be seen soaring overhead.

The Leatherwood Wilderness lies to the west of the byway. This area offers seclusion in a hardwood forest setting. The area also provides opportunities for back country camping and hiking.

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Sunrise

Posted on June 26, 2015 by siteadmin

The Sunrise scenic byway is about 45 miles east of San Diego in southwest California. It begins one mile east of Pine Valley off I-8 and travels north to end at the junction with CA 79. The byway follows County Road S1, a two-lane paved road safe for all types of vehicles, and is 24 miles long. Temporary closure is possible during winter, otherwise the byway is open year-round.

Sunrise crosses the Cleveland National Forest, traveling through mountain meadows and forests of oak and pine. Wildlife observers need to be on the lookout for black-tailed deer and red-tailed hawks. The huge 600,000-acre Anza Borrego Desert State Park lies east of Sunrise. Views of this vast desert region can be seen from vantage points some 6,000 feet above sea level. A national forest visitor center, open weekends through summer, is in Mount Laguna. Information about the byway and national forest are found here.

Those interested in staying overnight will find two national forest campgrounds: Burnt Rancheria and Laguna. Both campgrounds are in the Laguna Recreation Area. Burnt Rancheria has a total of 108 campsites; 11 are tent-only. The campground is set among pine and oak trees and is open mid-May through October. Laguna is open year-round and has 103 campsites, of which 23 are for tent campers only. There are no RV hookups at either campground. Additional camping facilities are available in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, near the north end of the byway.

In addition to camping, Laguna Recreation Area attracts hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. There are several trails ranging from under one mile long to more than ten miles. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail crosses the recreation area. Trails can also be found in the state park.

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