Ohio River Scenic Route

Posted on March 21, 2015 by siteadmin

Ohio River Scenic Route crosses southern Ohio for 452 miles. It primarily follows US 50, US 52, and OH 7 from the Indiana state line to the Pennsylvania state line. The roads are primarily two-lane paved roads suitable for all vehicles. In eastern Ohio, OH 7 is a four-lane divided highway. Ohio River Scenic Route is generally open year-round.

Ohio River Scenic Route cuts across southern Ohio through hardwood forests and rocky hillsides. It travels through numerous historical towns and sites. In Steubenville is the restored Fort Steuben, a 1780s fort built under the command of Captain John Francis Hamtramck to protect the early land surveyors. The birthplace of Ulysses S. Grant is along the byway in Point Pleasant near Neville. The site contains a restored three-room cottage where the 18th President of the United States was born.

In addition to history lessons, Ohio River Scenic Route offers opportunities for outdoor recreation. A portion of the byway crosses Wayne National Forest where visitors will find trails, picnic areas, and camping opportunities. Vesuvius Recreation Area is north of Ironton and has two campgrounds situated on 200-acre Lake Vesuvius. The two campgrounds, Iron Ridge and Oak Hill, have a total of nearly 70 RV and tent campsites. They are generally open April through October.

Camping is also available in three state parks near the byway: Shawnee, Forked Run, and Beaver Creek. Shawnee State Park is open all year and has a total of 107 campsites with electric hookups. It also has a 50-room lodge and 25 family cottages. Forked Run State Park is on OH 124 and has nearly 200 campsites but none with hookups. The 917-acre park remains open all year. Near the byway’s eastern terminus is Beaver Creek State Park. It is 11 miles north of East Liverpool and has 55 RV and tent sites but none with hookups. It remains open year-round but facilities may be limited in winter.

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Gold Butte

Posted on March 17, 2015 by siteadmin

Gold Butte is in southeast Nevada about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas. It begins south of Mesquite off NV 170 and travels south to the ghost town of Gold Butte. The byway is 62 miles long and follows Gold Butte Road, splitting at Devil’s Throat. The first 24 miles follow a narrow paved road suitable for passenger vehicles. Traveling east of Devil’s Throat, the road is a relatively smooth gravel road that is also suitable for passenger cars. The segment heading west from Devil’s Throat is a lightly maintained dirt road that requires a high-clearance, two-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle. Gold Butte Back Country Byway remains open year-round.

Gold Butte Back Country Byway travels across a desert landscape among the foothills of the Virgin Mountains and red rock formations. The Virgin River is seen peacefully flowing alongside the first several miles of the byway. To the east you’ll see Virgin Peak towering 8,000 feet above the desert floor. Side roads can take you to the top of this mountain peak.

This area is rich in history. Three separate Native American cultures are known to have settled here. Their petroglyph carvings can be seen etched into the rocks. Early non-Indian explorers were followed by the Mormon colonizers who settled in the Mesquite and Bunkerville area in 1877.

Desert wildlife thrives along the byway. Wildlife observers will want to remain alert for the occasional bighorn sheep or mule deer. Mountain lions and the desert tortoise also make their home in this area. Patient observers may occasionally catch a glimpse of wild horses or herds of burro.

The byway passes colorful sandstone rock formations in the area of Whitney Pockets. This area was partially named for a local family and the pockets that have been etched into the cliffs by erosion. The remnants of a Civilian Conservation Corps projects can also be seen in this area.

The byway continues to a split in the road at Devil’s Throat, a 100-foot wide by 100-foot deep sinkhole that continues to expand. Whether you turn left or right at this point, you’ll end up at the historic mining town of Gold Butte. This town was established in 1908 to service the many mining operations in the area. The town once boasted of a store, hotel, stable, and post office.

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Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway

Posted on March 17, 2015 by siteadmin

Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway crosses northwest South Carolina. Travelers can access the byway from I-85 at Exit #1 and follow SC 11 east to Gaffney or rejoin I-85 at Exit #92. South Carolina Highway 11 is a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. The byway is about 120 miles long and usually remains open year-round.

Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway travels across the heavily forested foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The byway crosses numerous small streams and rivers. More than 50 scenic waterfalls can be accessed from the route. Anglers may wish to spend some time at Lake Hartwell or Lake Keowee near the byway’s western end. Among the fish inhabiting the lakes are bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie.

Near Chesnee is the Cowpens National Battlefield where General Daniel Morgan won a decisive Revolutionary War victory over British Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton on January 17, 1781. A three-mile auto tour route and a 1.5-mile walking trail mark sites of major action. A restored 1830 log cabin is also seen. The visitor center has displays and a presentation.

Public campgrounds are located in three state parks: Lake Hartwell, Keowee-Toxaway, and Table Rock. Lake Hartwell State Park is a 680-acre park that has 117 RV sites and 31 walk-in tent sites. Water and electric hookups are available at each of the RV sites. The lake itself was constructed by the Corps of Engineers and has a surface area of 56,000 acres. Keowee-Toxaway State Park is 1,000 acres and has one, three-bedroom cabin available for rent. The campground has ten RV sites with water and electric hookups and 14 tent sites. Trailside camping is permitted at designated sites on the Raven Rock Hiking Trail, which is a strenuous four mile loop. Table Rock State Park lies east of Sunset and has 100 RV and tent sites with water and electric hookups. The park also has 14 cabins, a restaurant, and gift shop.

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Lamoille Canyon Road

Posted on March 16, 2015 by siteadmin

Lamoille Canyon Road scenic byway is located in northeast Nevada approximately 20 miles southeast of Elko. The byway begins near Lamoille off NV 227. It travels south through the Humboldt National Forest to the Roads End Picnic Area. Travelers will need to retrace the route back to NV 227. Lamoille Canyon Road is 12 miles long and follows FSR 660, which is a two-lane paved road suitable for all types of vehicles. It is generally open May through October.

Lamoille Canyon Road travels through the canyon carved by Lamoille Creek, which flows alongside much of the byway. The canyon is a beautifully rugged canyon with three perennial streams, sheer rock cliffs, and scenic ribbon-like waterfalls. Two other canyons can be seen from the byway: Right Fork Lamoille Canyon and Thomas Canyon. These canyons and the rivers which carved them provide excellent fishing opportunities. A small stand of Bristlecone pine exists within Thomas Canyon.

Some of the wildlife seen along the byway includes mule deer, yellow-bellied marmots, red-tailed hawks, cottontail rabbits, and coyotes. Other wildlife inhabiting the region includes snow partridge, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep.

Byway travelers will find two national forest campgrounds in Lamoille Canyon. Thomas Canyon Campground offers 42 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. Terraces Campground is more primitive and has only nine tent campsites. Two picnic areas provide the perfect spot for enjoying an afternoon lunch. Powerhouse Picnic Area is located near the byway’s beginning and Roads End Picnic Area is, where else, at the end of the byway.

The Ruby Mountain National Recreation Trail can be accessed from the Roads End Picnic Area. This trail extends south for 40 miles through some spectacular scenery. There are eight lakes, with excellent opportunities for fishing, that can be reached from the Ruby Mountain Trail. Other hiking trails can be found along the byway for those interested in hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, or horseback riding.

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Transcontinental Railroad

Posted on March 16, 2015 by siteadmin

Transcontinental Railroad is 30 miles west of Brigham City in northwest Utah. It begins south of Promontory near Golden Spike National Historic Site and travels west to Lucin. The byway is 90 miles long and follows Transcontinental Railroad Road, which is a narrow gravel and dirt road. It requires a two-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle to complete. Vehicles longer than 30 feet are discouraged from traveling the byway. Inquire locally about current road conditions. Portions of the byway may become impassable after heavy rain, otherwise it remains open all year.

This back country byway takes travelers across the abandoned Central Pacific Railroad grade through the old town sites of Kelton, Terrace, and Watercress. The landscape today looks much the same as it did in 1869 when Central Pacific’s tracks met Union Pacific’s rails. The Golden Spike National Historic Site preserves the site where these two railroads joined their rails with a gold spike on May 10, 1869. A visitor center offers movies and exhibits of this historic event. Take your time to stop and read the more than 30 interpretive sites along the byway. Byway travelers will come across original trestles and culverts as well as remains of two railroad communities and several workers’ camps.

The byway crosses the northern reaches of the Great Salt Lake Desert. The eastern portion provides broad vistas of the northern end of Great Salt Lake. As you travel the western segment of the byway, you are rewarded with views of the Pilot, Newfoundland, Grouse Creek, and Raft River mountain ranges. Please be cautious as you travel this byway as portions of it may be used by bicyclists. Also, there are no services along the byway. Gasoline is available in Snowville, Brigham City, and Wendover.

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