Stephen Mather Memorial Parkway

Posted on June 25, 2015 by siteadmin

Stephen Mather Memorial Parkway is in west-central Washington 40 miles southeast of Seattle. It begins in Enumclaw and travels southeast to Naches. It follows WA 410, a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles, and is about 90 miles long. The byway is usually open year-round; temporary closure is possible in winter.

Stephen Mather Memorial Parkway travels across portions of Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests. It crosses 5,430-foot Chinook Pass and alongside Mount Rainier National Park. Traveling east from Enumclaw, the byway climbs through old growth forests and is accompanied by the White River. At Chinook Pass the byway descends dramatically through Wenatchee National Forest and is accompanied by the American River. From Cliffdell, the Naches River flows beside the byway as you enter the fertile agricultural valley of Yakima County.

Two national forest campgrounds are located along the byway between Enumclaw and Chinook Pass. The Dalles Campground has a total of 44 RV and tent sites; Silver Springs has 55 sites. Both campgrounds are open May through September. There are no hookups. Numerous public campgrounds are located between Chinook Pass and Naches. A side trip down Bumping Lake Road yields even more national forest campgrounds.

Stephen Mather Memorial Parkway also provides access to Mount Rainier National Park, which contains Washington’s highest peak. Mount Rainier is 14,410 feet high and supports the largest glacial system in the lower 48 states. There are 27 named glacier encompassing 35 square miles. The park has six campgrounds with a total of 600 campsites. Two hotels, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places, are also within the park.

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South Bighorn / Red Wall

Posted on June 21, 2015 by siteadmin

South Bighorn / Red Wall is 13 miles northwest of Casper in central Wyoming. The 101-mile byway follows a series of Natrona County Roads that are a combination gravel and dirt roads. Although the roads are well maintained, a two-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle is recommended. The byway is usually open May through November; portions may become impassable after periods of rain.

The byway takes visitors across sage-covered plains to lush open pastures of the southern Bighorn Mountains. Portions of the byway follow the original path taken by early livestock pioneers. They would use the trail to move cattle and sheep to the higher mountain pastures during summer. A monument stands in recognition of these early pioneers. Elk and mule deer are likely to be seen in these high mountain pastures.

Byway travelers are also treated to scenic views of the Bighorn Mountains rising to the north. As you descend from the higher elevations, you’ll be traveling alongside a portion of the Red Wall. North of here is Hole-in-the-Wall and Outlaw Cave where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid once hid out. If you decide you would like to hide out also, you’ll find two BLM campgrounds with several sites. Picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets are provided but there is no drinking water.

Roughlock Hill sits 6,200 feet above sea level and provides scenic views of the surrounding countryside. Here pioneers would lock their wagon wheels with thick branches and skid down the steep rocky slope. If you look closely, you may see the evidence left behind.

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Little Cottonwood Canyon

Posted on June 20, 2015 by siteadmin

Little Cottonwood Canyon is 18 miles south of downtown Salt Lake City in north-central Utah. It begins at the junction of UT 209 and UT 210 and travels east to the road’s end, three miles east of Alta. The 12-mile route follows UT 210, which is a narrow two-lane paved road to Alta and thereafter is graveled. All types of vehicles can safely drive the byway. The paved portion is open year-round; the graveled section is closed November through May.

Little Cottonwood Canyon is a scenic journey through the narrow, sheer-walled canyon of Little Cottonwood Creek. Near the mouth of the canyon is a site where Mormon pioneers quarried huge granite blocks used to construct the Salt Lake Temple. Today, the canyon is used by those in pursuit of outdoor recreation. The area attracts downhill and cross-country skiers during winter and hikers, campers, and photographers during warmer months. A beautiful display of colorful wildflowers reward byway travelers that reach the end of the road.

Wildlife observers will want to be on the lookout for mule deer, elk, and moose. Golden eagles and hawks can sometimes be seen riding the wind currents above the canyon walls. If you decide to camp among the stars, hooting of the great horned owl may break the nighttime silence. During the day, numerous songbirds will be heard speaking to one another in a language known only to them. Other wildlife inhabiting the area but rarely seen includes coyotes, mountain lions, and bobcats.

For a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and wilderness areas, be sure to take the Snowbird Tram to the top of 11,000-foot Hidden Peak. There are two wilderness areas along the byway. Twin Peaks Wilderness to the north protects 11,796 acres of the rugged landscape and separates Big Cottonwood Canyon from Little Cottonwood Canyon. To the south is 30,088-acre Lone Peak Wilderness. Both wilderness areas invite back country exploration for experienced hikers. Tanners Flat Campground has 36 sites suitable for tents and RVs. Albion Basin Campground is set 9,500 feet above sea level and has 21 campsites.

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Jemez Mountain Trail

Posted on June 20, 2015 by siteadmin

Jemez Mountain Trail is in north-central New Mexico just west of Los Alamos. It follows NM 4, NM 126, and US 550 for a total of 132 miles. New Mexico Highway 126 is a narrow, unpaved road. The other highways are two-lane paved roads suitable for all vehicles. New Mexico Highway 4 is heavily used by bicyclists; be on the lookout for them. New Mexico Highway 126 is generally closed in winter; the others remain open year-round.

This scenic byway travels through the Jemez Mountains, alongside clear streams, and across large meadows. The Jemez River flows beside much of the byway along NM 4. Near the byway’s eastern end is Bandelier National Monument, which contains numerous cliff houses and pueblo style dwellings. Most of the park’s 32,727 acres is preserved in a designated wilderness area. Juniper Campground is within the park and has 94 sites available mid-April to October. Near Jemez Springs are many hot springs and pools.

A portion of the byway travels through the Santa Fe National Forest. Several national forest campgrounds are along or near the byway. All the campgrounds are usually open May to October. The largest campgrounds are: Redondo (59 sites), Jemez Falls (47 sites), and San Antonio (36 sites). None of the campgrounds have sites with hookups. Camping is also available in Fenton Lake State Park. It has 40 developed sites on the shores of 35-acre Fenton Lake; six have electric hookups. The state park is open year-round.

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Missouri Breaks

Posted on June 18, 2015 by siteadmin

Located in north-central Montana, Missouri Breaks lies about 40 miles north of Lewiston. Eastern access is in the Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge at US 191. It forms a loop drive back to US 191 with four side trips to scenic overlooks along the Missouri River. The 73-mile route follows Lower Two Calf and Knox Ridge Roads, which are mostly two-lane gravel and dirt roads that can be negotiated by passenger cars in dry weather. Large RVs and vehicles pulling trailers should not attempt the Two Calf Creek Crossing nor the side roads off Lower Two Calf Road. Missouri Breaks is generally passable May through October.

The Missouri Breaks Back Country Byway crosses a ruggedly beautiful landscape alongside portions of the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River. A 149-mile segment was designated in 1976 as a wild and scenic river to preserve the river and its natural surroundings. Much of the river is the same today as Lewis and Clark saw it in May of 1805 on their journey to the Pacific Northwest.

Several side trips off the main route lead to scenic overlooks on the Missouri River. Woodhawk Trail takes you to Sunshine and Deweese Ridges where the river flows almost directly beneath you. Woodhawk Bottom Road will take you down to the banks of the river. A BLM campground here has five sites with picnic tables for those interested in staying overnight.

A variety of wildlife inhabits the area. Some 60 species of mammals, 233 species of birds, and 20 species of amphibians and reptiles may be found here. Wildlife observers will want to be on the lookout for antelope, white-tailed deer and mule deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. Prairie dogs, beaver, pheasant, sage grouse, and a large variety of song birds may also be seen.

Camping is available at the Woodhawk Campground and at James Kipp Recreation Area in the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. The James Kipp Recreation Area has 28 sites with picnic tables and fire rings. A boat ramp provides access to the river. Pit toilets and drinking water are also available.

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