Pioneer Mountains

Posted on June 9, 2015 by siteadmin

Pioneer Mountains scenic byway is in southwest Montana. It begins in Wise River, which is about 35 miles southwest of Butte, and travels south to Polaris. The byway is 40 miles long and follows FSR 484, which is primarily a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. A portion of FSR 484 is a narrow, gravel road that requires slow speeds. This segment of road is near Elkhorn Hot Springs and is not recommended for motorhomes and vehicles pulling trailers. The byway is usually open mid-May to mid-November.

The scenic byway crosses Beaverhead National Forest through lodgepole pine forests and across numerous parks and meadows. Outstanding views of the Pioneer Mountain Range are provided as the byway ascends the divide separating the Wise River and Grasshopper Creek drainages. Both Wise River and Grasshopper Creek flow alongside the byway.

The national forest offers nearly unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation. The forest’s many rivers and creeks provide excellent fishing for grayling, rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout. Many hiking trails are accessible from the route and range from short, easy walks to longer, more strenuous hikes. The Pioneer Loop Trail is a strenuous 35-mile National Scenic Trail that will take you along the western peaks of the Pioneer Mountains.

Those wishing to prolong their stay will find several national forest campgrounds from which to choose. Lodgepole and Willow Campgrounds provide a total of 12 campsites set among pine trees along the Wise River. Little Joe offers four sites on the river, while Mono Creek Campground has five sites set back about one mile from the byway. Grasshopper is the largest of the campgrounds; it has 24 campsites. All of the campgrounds except Little Joe can accommodate recreational vehicles up to 16 feet long.

A short side trip off the byway will take you to the ghost town of Coolidge. This historic town was built in the 1920s to provide a home base for miners who worked in the Elkhorn silver mine. Remnants of the Elkhorn Mill remain for inspection by visitors.

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Pony Express

Posted on June 9, 2015 by siteadmin

Pony Express is in west-central Utah beginning about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City. It travels between Lehi and Ibapah and follows UT 73 and Pony Express Road, which is marked with stone pillars. Utah Highway 73 is a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. The rest of the byway is a gravel and dirt road requiring a two-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle. Periods of heavy rain can cause flash flooding and wash out sections of the road. Travelers in a motorhome or pulling a trailer should inquire with the BLM about current road conditions. The BLM has designated 133 miles, from Fairfield to Ibapah, a Back Country Byway.

Byway visitors will be retracing the path followed by the historic Pony Express Trail. This mail route lasted only eighteen months from April 1860 to October 1861. The trail was made obsolete when the first transcontinental telegraph system was completed. The byway travels across the arid desert landscape of the Great Salt Lake Desert. No gas is available between Faust and Ibapah.

Visitors may wish to begin their journey back in time at the Stage Coach Inn State Park. The adobe inn, built in 1858, was an overnight stop for riders of the Pony Express Trail. Nearby is Camp Floyd State Park, which was originally established in 1858 as a military post.

The Simpson Springs Station was one of the most dependable watering points in this desert region. A stone building has been restored and closely resembles the original that was built around 1860. A BLM campground is located just east of the station and has fourteen campsites. Boyd Station has only a rock wall remaining from the building that once housed the station keeper, a spare rider, and a blacksmith. Canyon Station was originally located northwest of the present site and consisted of a log house, a stable, and a dugout where meals were served.

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Connecticut State Route 169

Posted on June 6, 2015 by siteadmin

This scenic byway follows CT 169 through eastern Connecticut. It begins a few miles north of Norwich and heads north 34 miles to end at the Massachusetts state line. The byway follows a two-lane paved road that is suitable for all types of vehicles. It usually remains open year-round.

Connecticut State Route 169 takes the traveler through gently rolling New England hills covered with corn stalks and apple orchards. Small farms dot the countryside; their livestock pastures enclosed with stone fences and grain elevators standing proudly. Fall strikes this area ablaze with brilliant colors of orange, red, and gold. Each town you pass through seems to proudly display its various architectural styles, teaming with history.

In Canterbury, you’ll discover the Prudence Crandall House, New England’s first school for black women. The museum, listed as a National Historic Landmark, features changing exhibits, period furnishings, a research library, and gift shop. In Woodstock is the Roseland Cottage, circa 1846. This was built by publisher Henry Bowen for use as a summer home. Listed as a National Historic Landmark, the landscape has the original 1850 boxwood parterre garden.

For those interested in extending their stay in the area, the 916-acre Mashamoquet Brook State Park offers 55 campsites for tents and recreational vehicles. The park also offers opportunities for fishing, swimming, hiking, and picnicking.

Hopeville Pond State Park is located to the east of the byway’s southern terminus. This 554-acre park also offers camping and picnicking facilities. There are 82 campsites available, many with electrical hookups. You can also enjoy hiking, swimming, fishing, and boating.

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San Juan Skyway

Posted on June 6, 2015 by siteadmin

Beautiful San Juan Skyway is in southwest Colorado. It forms a 236-mile loop that follows US 160, US 550, CO 62, and CO 145. The highways are two-lane paved roads suitable for all types of vehicles. Winter driving conditions can be hazardous and require extra caution. Portions may temporarily close for snow removal.

The San Juan Skyway scenic drive passes through millions of acres of the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests, offering views of cascading waterfalls in spring, fields of wildflowers ablaze with color in summer, mountain sides glistening a brilliant gold in autumn, and a wintry wonderland. The historic toll road, “Million Dollar Highway,” is traveled across along this route, winding through the Red Mountains, along the sheer sides of the Uncompahgre Gorge, and through tunnels above scenic waterfalls.

There are three wilderness areas accessed along the byway. These areas provide excellent opportunities for hiking, backpacking, or horseback riding in the wild San Juan Mountains. Numerous other trails found all along the byway range from short, gentle walking trails to more rigorous hiking trails leading deep into the national forests.

Campgrounds are in no short supply along this byway. Whether you’re searching for a highly developed campsite with the amenities of home or a small, secluded spot to pitch a tent, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. Many camping areas are situated along streams or lakeshores offering excellent opportunities for trout fishing.

The town of Cortez is located south of Dolores and is known as the “Archeological Center of the United States.” To the east of Cortez is the Mesa Verde National Park, showcasing the cliff dwellings once inhabited by the Anasazi Indians. Guided tours, a museum, camping, and lodging are available here. To the southwest is the famous Four Corners Monument where you can stand in four states at once.

Durango was founded in 1880 and served the once booming mining industry. Many restored historic landmarks line the streets of downtown. Also found here is the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad. Visitors can ride the train, from May through October, for a unique sight-seeing trip through the rugged mountains. The station is located downtown at the south end of Main.

The town of Telluride is a Victorian mining town founded in the late 1800s and is now an international ski resort. Butch Cassidy’s first bank robbery took place here. Located in the area are four-wheel drive roads that lead to other historic mining towns within the forest.

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Palms to Pines

Posted on June 4, 2015 by siteadmin

Palms to Pines scenic byway is in southern California near Palm Springs. The byway follows CA 74 and CA 243 for 67 miles between Banning and Palm Desert. Both state highways are two-lane paved roads suitable for all types of vehicles. Both are generally open year-round.

The byway travels through San Bernardino National Forest and the San Jacinto Mountains. The mountains are isolated from others in southern California and are a drastic contrast to the surrounding desert. Byway travelers are taken from a desert oasis to snow-capped mountains. Among the wildlife inhabiting the area are bald eagles, usually seen around Lake Hemet in the winter, and bighorn sheep.

Two wilderness areas can be accessed from the byway: San Jacinto and Santa Rosa. Trailheads into San Jacinto are located near Idyllwild. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail is also accessed from the byway. In all, over 150 miles of trails run throughout the national forest.

Those interested in camping have several campgrounds to choose from. Fern Basin is a national forest campground with 24 RV and tent sites. It is open May through October and limits the size of RVs to 18 feet. Hurkey Creek is a county-operated campground with over 100 sites. Mount San Jacinto State Park has several developed camping areas.

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