Russell – Brasstown

Posted on March 30, 2015 by siteadmin

Russell – Brasstown is in northeast Georgia about 90 miles north of Atlanta. The byway forms a loop beginning and ending near Helen. It follows GA 75, GA 180, and GA 348 for a total of 38 miles. The state highways are two-lane paved roads suitable for all vehicles. The roads are usually open year-round; extra caution should be exercised in winter.

The Russell – Brasstown scenic byway crosses Chattahoochee National Forest winding through forested hills, mountains, and valleys. The headwaters of the Chattahoochee River are completely encircled by the byway.

Brasstown Bald is Georgia’s highest mountain and is adjacent to the byway. The view from the 4,784-foot high mountain is spectacular. A visitor center here offers slide programs and interpretive exhibits. Picnicking facilities along with restrooms and drinking water are available. A short quarter-mile walking trail from the parking lot leads to the summit.

Of interest to hikers and backpackers is the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which crosses the byway. Several wilderness areas also provide opportunities for hiking and backpacking in a secluded, primitive setting.

A short side trip off the byway worth taking is GA 356 to the Anna Ruby Falls Scenic Area. In this 1,600-acre area, twin waterfalls merge to form Smith Creek. It is necessary to walk a half-mile trail to reach the falls. Five scenic waterfalls can be seen within the 170-acre High Shoals Scenic Area. A one-mile hiking trail will take you to the waterfalls.

Andrews Cove is the only developed national forest campground along the byway. The campground is situated on Andrews Creek and has 11 units available to campers. Restrooms and drinking water are also provided.

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Mount Rogers

Posted on March 28, 2015 by siteadmin

Mount Rogers is 30 miles east of Bristol in southwest Virginia. It begins in Damascus and follows US 58 east to Volney. Another segment follows VA 603 between Konnarock and Trout Dale. Both highways are two-lane paved roads; US 58 is not recommended for vehicles longer than 35 feet. The byway is 56 miles long and usually remains open all year.

The Mount Rogers scenic byway winds through hardwood forests and rural countryside as it crosses Jefferson National Forest and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Mount Rogers stands proudly at 5,729 above sea level and can be seen at various points along the drive. It also has the honor of being Virginia’s highest point.

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area encompasses 114,000 acres and is part of the Jefferson National Forest. Visitors will find numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation. Mount Rogers National Recreation Trail is found here as is the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Enjoy walking a short distance on either of these trails or plan a more extensive backpacking adventure. Either way, you’ll be treated to hardwood forests, numerous songbirds, and trickling streams. You might even spot a deer or two. Altogether there is over 400 miles of trail available to the hiker, mountain biker, backpacker, and horseback rider.

Those interested in a more passive activity will find numerous places to pull over and enjoy a good book or picnic. Grayson Highlands State Park is also a good place to find lots of picnic areas. The 4,754-acre park also offers camping opportunities. There are nearly 100 campsites available to tent campers and RVers. It also has comfort stations, shower facilities, and hookups at some campsites. Jefferson National Forest also has several campgrounds but none of the sites have hookups.

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Santa Fe Trail

Posted on March 28, 2015 by siteadmin

Santa Fe Trail is a 300-mile byway traveling throughout northeast New Mexico. The byway follows a series of US Highways and State Highways, all of which are two-lane paved roads suitable for all vehicles. Much of the byway follows the frontage road of I-25. Santa Fe Trail remains open year-round.

The Santa Fe Trail was the first of America’s Trans-Mississippi routes. The portion running through New Mexico travels across the grassy plains of the northeast corner into the mountainous region around Santa Fe. Numerous sites of historical significance are located all along the byway.

Near Watrous is Fort Union National Monument. Fort Union was established in 1851 as a guardian of the Santa Fe Trail. Three forts were built during its 40-year history; a self-guided tour path takes you among the remains of two. The largest visible network of Santa Fe Trail ruts can be seen here.

East of Santa Fe is Pecos National Historical Park, which preserves the ancient pueblo of Pecos, two Spanish Colonial Missions, Santa Fe Trail sites, and the site of the Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass. A self-guided trail takes you through Pecos pueblo and the mission ruins.

Public campgrounds are available in four state parks near the byway: Sugarite Canyon, Clayton Lake, Storrie Lake, and Hyde Memorial State Park. Sugarite Canyon State Park is east of Raton off NM 72. It has 40 RV and tent sites; 11 have electric hookups. Clayton Lake State Park is about eight miles north of Clayton. It has a total of 37 campsites, seven with hookups. Storrie Lake State Park is located along the byway north of Las Vegas. It offers 50 primitive campsites and 37 developed sites. Hookups are available at 18 sites. Hyde Memorial State Park is located along the Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway. It has 45 campsites, some with hookups. All the parks are open year-round.

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Mount Magazine

Posted on March 28, 2015 by siteadmin

Mount Magazine scenic byway is located in west-central Arkansas about 40 miles east of Fort Smith. The northern access is just south of Paris off AR 109. It travels southeast to Havana and ends at the junction with AR 10. The byway is 30 miles of two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. It follows AR 309 and FSR 1606 and is open all year.

This scenic byway travels across the Ozark National Forest through areas of small farms and forests of shortleaf pine, red oak, white oak, and hickory. The byway winds its way through the forest to the top of Mount Magazine, the highest point in Arkansas at 2,753 feet above sea level. The overlook from the top of the mountain offers sweeping vistas of the timber-covered mountains, rugged rock bluffs, and sparkling mountain lakes. Mount Magazine is not only the highest point in Arkansas, but is considered the highest mountain between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains.

The Mount Magazine recreation area consists of the Cameron Bluff Campground and Brown Springs picnic area. The campground offers 16 campsites, chemical toilets, and drinking water. A hiking trail is located here that goes to Cove Lake, a 160-acre mountain lake offering boating, swimming, and fishing. The Cove Lake recreation area also has 29 camping spots for tents or RVs, drinking water, restrooms, and shower facilities.

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River Road

Posted on March 22, 2015 by siteadmin

This byway is in northeast Michigan about 90 miles north of Saginaw. It travels alongside the AuSable River between Oscoda and Hale. From Oscoda the byway follows River Road to MI 65, which it follows into Hale. The byway is 30 miles long and is open year-round. The roads followed are two-lane paved roads safe for all types of vehicles.

The River Road scenic byway travels across the AuSable River Valley, following a portion of an early Indian trail along the AuSable River. The trail connected a Chippewa village at the mouth of the Riviere aux Sables (River of Sand) with the main north-south trails of interior Michigan. There are several platforms on the high banks above the river that provide panoramic views of the river and the surrounding forest.

Four dams constructed on the river have created thousands of acres of tree-lined lakes that offer excellent fishing and boating opportunities. Anglers will find northern pike, bass, walleye, and muskie in the lakes.

Those interested in prolonging their stay will find several campgrounds. Old Orchard Park is a highly developed park on the banks of the AuSable River with 500 campsites. Hookups are available at 200 of the campsites. The park also has restrooms, showers, picnic areas, swimming beach, and drinking water. Rollways and Monument Campgrounds provide a total of 40 campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water, and restrooms. Two other national forest campgrounds are located a short distance off the byway that provide an additional 45 campsites to choose from.

Midway along the byway is Lumbermens’ Monument. This nine-foot bronze statue was erected in 1932 as a memorial to Michigan’s logging era. A visitor center has information on the monument and the surrounding area. Guided walks of the grounds are given.

Farther west on the byway is the Iargo Springs Interpretive Site. The Chippewa once used this site for pow-wows with as many as 500 gathering at one time. They believed the springs held mystical or curative powers. An overlook provides views of the AuSable River Valley.

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