Angeles Crest

Posted on February 27, 2015 by siteadmin

Angeles Crest is in southwest California, northeast of Los Angeles. The byway’s western access is in La Canada off I-210. It travels east to the junction of CA 138, northeast of Wrightwood. The 70-mile route follows CA 2, a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. Angeles Crest is open year-round except a small segment that is closed from late December to early April.

Angeles Crest crosses the San Gabriel Mountains within Angeles National Forest. The byway offers city dwellers an escape from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Panoramic views of Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, and Catalina Island, on clear days, reward the byway traveler.

Several campgrounds are along or near the byway. Chilao has over 100 campsites and is open year-round. RVs up to 40 feet can be accommodated. Buckhorn is a smaller campground and has 38 sites. It is open May to November and has an RV length limit of 20 feet. Table Mountain Campground is near the eastern end of the byway. It is operated by a concessionaire and is open May to November. There are 115 campsites; RVs up to 32 feet can be accommodated. Side roads lead to other national forest campgrounds and picnic areas.

San Gabriel and Sheep Mountain wilderness areas surround the byway, providing excellent opportunities for back country hiking. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail is also accessed from the byway.

A side trip on Mount Wilson Forest Road leads to the famous, 100-inch telescope at Mount Wilson Observatory. The observatory is open to the public on weekends.

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Teton

Posted on February 26, 2015 by siteadmin

This scenic drive is in eastern Idaho about 50 miles east of Idaho Falls. It follows ID 31, ID 32, and ID 33 between Ashton and Swan Valley. The state highways are two-lane paved roads suitable for all types of vehicles. Six percent grades and sharp curves are encountered at Pine Creek Pass. The byway usually remains open year-round. Twenty miles are designated a National Forest Scenic Byway; the rest is a state scenic byway.

Teton scenic byway begins in Swan Valley with views of the Snake River and Caribou Mountains to the south. It then begins climbing through the Targhee National Forest along Pine Creek to the 6,764-foot Pine Creek Pass. Spectacular views of the Teton Mountains in Wyoming can be seen from here.

Several national forest campgrounds are along or near this portion of the byway. Near the byway’s southern terminus is Falls Campground with 24 sites, drinking water, and pit toilets. Just beyond Pine Creek Pass is a small national forest campground. Pine Creek Campground has 11 campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, toilets, and drinking water. About six miles southeast of Victor is another public campground named Trail Creek; it has 11 campsites.

A variety of wildlife inhabits the mountains and valleys of the national forest. Elk and mule deer may be seen grazing in the fields; the best time to view them is early in the morning or evening. Other wildlife includes black bear, coyotes, and moose. Hawks can often be seen gliding on the wind currents.

After traveling through the national forest, the byway continues north across rolling agricultural land through the communities of Victor, Driggs, and Tetonia. The byway ends near Ashton where the Mesa Falls scenic byway begins.

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Cloud Peak Skyway

Posted on February 22, 2015 by siteadmin

Cloud Peak Skyway is 35 miles south of Sheridan in north-central Wyoming. It begins in Buffalo and travels west to Ten Sleep. The byway is 67 miles long and follows US 16, a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. Temporary closure by snow is possible in winter, otherwise the byway is open all year. Wyoming has officially designated 47 miles as a state scenic byway. The US Forest Service designated 43 miles as a National Forest Scenic Byway.

Cloud Peak Skyway begins at an elevation of 4,645 feet in Buffalo and heads west across the forested Bighorn Mountains. It crosses Powder River Pass at an elevation of 9,666 feet and then drops down through Ten Sleep Canyon to end in Ten Sleep at 4,206 feet. Several viewpoints provide expansive vistas into Cloud Peak Wilderness and the surrounding mountain scenery. Wildlife observers need to be looking for mule deer or elk among the rivers and grassy meadows. Wildflowers bloom from spring through autumn, providing a splash of color against the green of ponderosa pine.

If you’re interested in hiking, backpacking, or horseback riding, you’re in the right place. To the north of the byway lies the pristine land of the vast Cloud Peak Wilderness. The area protects 195,000 acres of the Bighorn Mountains. Trails leading into this beautiful wilderness can be accessed from the byway. Hikers and backpackers will find trails that will take them several days to hike.

Those less interested in hiking the back country but want to enjoy an evening around a campfire can do so at the many campgrounds found along the byway. Meadowlark Recreation Area offers over 100 campsites in five nearby campgrounds. The lake here is popular during summer with anglers and boaters. Middle Fork, Circle Park, South Fork, and Tie Hacks Campgrounds provide a total of 43 sites. Trailheads found here can take you into the wilderness area.

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Highway 101 – Pacific Coast Scenic Byway

Posted on February 22, 2015 by siteadmin

This scenic byway is a journey along Oregon’s coast from the California state line to Washington’s state line. The byway is 363 miles long and follows US 101, which is a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. The byway is generally open year-round.

Travelers of this byway are rewarded with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and dense forests. There are many state parks with day use facilities for enjoying the scenery while picnicking or walking the beach.

Between North Bend and Florence is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area where sand dunes average 250 feet high. There are trails for hiking, horseback riding, and off-road vehicle use. The area also has several campgrounds and picnic areas. A visitor center is in Reedsport and has displays and a movie about the formation of sand dunes. Midway between Reedsport and Florence is the Oregon Dunes Overlook that has dune observation platforms, picnic areas, hiking trails, and restrooms.

A portion of the byway travels through the Siuslaw National Forest. South of Tillamook is the Sand Lake Recreation Area, which has three public campgrounds. A total of 240 RV and tent campsites are available. Between Waldport and Florence are four more national forest campgrounds: Tillicum Beach, Cape Perpetua, Rock Creek, and Sutton Creek. Tillicum Beach is open year-round and has 60 campsites. Cape Perpetua is open mid-May through September and has 38 sites. Rock Creek has 16 RV and tent sites available mid-May through September. Sutton Creek is also open mid-May through September and has 80 campsites; 20 have electric hookups. Besides camping, the national forest also offers numerous picnic areas, hiking and equestrian trails, and great spots for fishing.

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Avenue of Pines

Posted on February 21, 2015 by siteadmin

Avenue of Pines is 15 miles northwest of Grand Rapids in north-central Minnesota. The byway begins near Deer River and follows MN 46 northwest to the junction with US 71 in Northome. Minnesota Highway 46 is a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles and usually remains open year-round. Avenue of Pines is 46 miles long.

The Avenue of Pines scenic byway travels through Leech Lake Indian Reservation and Chippewa National Forest, crossing low rolling hills covered with red and white pines and numerous lakes. The scenic byway passes Lake Winnibigoshish, Minnesota’s fifth largest lake that offers excellent fishing and boating opportunities. Bald eagles may also be seen circling around the lake. Other wildlife inhabiting the region include osprey, white-tailed deer, black bear, gray wolf, and numerous waterfowl.

Cut Foot Sioux Visitor Center is located midway along the byway and offers information and displays on the natural resources of the area. Films and presentations are given throughout the summer months. The Cut Foot Sioux National Recreation Trail is located near here. This trail follows the approximate location of the early fur trade routes and overland portages used by Indians. Also near the visitor center is the Cut Foot Sioux Ranger Station, which was constructed in 1904. The original log cabin is listed as a National Historic Site.

Chippewa National Forest was the first national forest established east of the Mississippi. It offers over 600,000 acres of land for a variety of recreational uses. Several national forest campgrounds have been developed along the byway, with more available throughout the forest. A large number of lakes and rivers provide excellent canoeing opportunities. Fishermen will find excellent fishing for muskie, walleye, northern pike, bass, and sunfish. Numerous trails cross the national forest providing opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling.

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