Longleaf Trail

Posted on November 11, 2015 by siteadmin

Longleaf Trail is in west-central Louisiana about 35 miles northwest of Alexandria. It begins about five miles south of Derry off LA 119 and travels west across the Kisatchie National Forest. It ends at the intersection with LA 117, south of Bellwood. Longleaf Trail follows FSR 59, a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. It remains open year-round and is 17 miles long.

The Longleaf Trail National Forest Scenic Byway travels across the Kisatchie National Forest through some of the most unique scenery in the state. The terrain along the byway is unusually rugged for Louisiana, with elevations ranging from 120 to 400 feet above sea level. The byway offers many scenic vistas of mesas, buttes, and sandstone outcrops set against the backdrop of longleaf pines. The trail was originally constructed as a single-lane road by the Civilian Conservation Corps around 1935.

The Kisatchie Hills Wilderness lies next to the byway and is known locally as the “Little Grand Canyon” because of its steep slopes, rock outcrops, and mesas. Hiking and horseback riding trails lead you into this wilderness area. The Longleaf Vista Picnic Area is surrounded on three sides by this 8,700-acre wilderness area. A 1.5-mile nature trail is located here as is a small visitor center. Restrooms and drinking water are also provided.

Wildlife observers will find white-tailed deer, foxes, opossums, squirrels, raccoons, and coyotes inhabiting the area. An occasional roadrunner can also be seen. Birdwatchers will delight in the numerous songbirds.

Most of the camping areas along the byway are primitive but do have drinking water or restroom facilities. Dogwood Campground is the most developed and has 20 RV and tent sites, drinking water, and flush toilets. Kisatchie Bayou has 17 walk-in sites and only one drive-in unit. Drinking water and vault toilets are provided. There is no water at Coyote, Cane, and Oak Campgrounds.

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Covered Bridge

Posted on November 6, 2015 by siteadmin

Covered Bridge scenic byway is in southeast Ohio east of Marietta. The byway begins at the junction of OH 7 and OH 26. It follows OH 26 northeasterly to Woodsfield. The highway is a narrow, two-lane paved road suitable for most vehicles. Covered Bridge is 47 miles long and is open all year.

The Covered Bridge scenic drive winds through the pretty hills and valleys of southeastern Ohio across Wayne National Forest. Little Muskingum River flows alongside much of the byway and provides good fishing and canoeing. Wildlife that may be seen along the byway includes white-tailed deer, turkeys, beavers, red foxes, raccoons, and minks. This scenic byway is especially beautiful in fall when the route is covered with brilliant colors of red, orange, and yellow. Before traveling the byway, pick up a brochure from the Forest Service office in Marietta. It highlights ten points of interest along the way.

Ohio once boasted of 2,000 covered bridges, more than any other state. You’ll come across three of these historical bridges. These bridges were covered with a roof, not to protect travelers from the elements of weather, but to keep the main structural timbers dry. If left exposed to rain, the timber would quickly rot.

There are two national forest campgrounds on the byway: Hune Bridge and Haught Run. The Hune Bridge area has only two campsites with picnic tables; Haught Run has three. No drinking water is available at either campground.

The many rivers and streams within the national forest provide excellent opportunities for fishing. Anglers will find a large variety of fish including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie. The rivers also provide pleasant canoe trips. Outfitters can provide you with all that you need to enjoy a leisurely float.

If you feel like stretching your legs a bit, you can catch the North Country National Scenic Trail from the byway. This portion of the trail winds through the national forest between Woodsfield and Hune Covered Bridge.

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Lassen

Posted on November 3, 2015 by siteadmin

The Lassen scenic byway is in northeast California, about 40 miles east of Redding. It forms a loop of 172 miles and follows California State Highways 36, 44, 89, and 147, which are two-lane paved roads suitable for all vehicles. Portions may temporarily close in winter, otherwise the roads are open year-round.

Lassen passes through a region known as the Crossroads. It is here that peaks of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains merge with the sagebrush of the Great Basin. The byway travels through Lassen Volcanic National Park for 30 miles. Lassen Peak erupted in May 1914, beginning a seven-year cycle of sporadic outburst. The national park gives interesting insight into the workings of active volcanoes. The rest of the byway travels through Lassen National Forest.

Lake Almanor lies along the byway’s southern portion and offers fishing for Chinook salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, and smallmouth bass. The lake is also popular for swimming, boating, and waterskiing. Surrounding it are several campgrounds and picnic areas.

Hikers, backpackers, and horseback riders will find over 460 miles of trails within Lassen National Forest. They range from wide, easy-walking trails to rugged, steep trails requiring more endurance. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail is also accessed from the byway.

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Fort Meade

Posted on November 1, 2015 by siteadmin

The Fort Meade byway is located in west-central South Dakota, just east of Sturgis. It begins at the intersection with SD 34 and travels south to I-90. The byway is a short five-mile route that follows Fort Meade Road, which is a two-lane gravel road suitable for all vehicles. The byway remains open year-round.

The Fort Meade Back Country Byway travels through rolling hills covered with ponderosa pine to the historic cavalry post of Fort Meade. Historically, this region of the Black Hills was home to Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe Indian tribes. Settlement of this area by pioneers generated disputes among the Native Americans and newcomers. By 1878, these conflicts prompted the government to establish this military post situated between Fort Laramie and the Montana forts. Many of the old buildings remain intact and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A museum contains exhibits and many historic artifacts.

In addition to the history of the area, the byway does offer outdoor recreation opportunities. The Centennial Trail can be accessed from the byway for those interested in hiking. This 111-mile trail extends from Wind Cave National Park to Black Butte State Park, about 12 miles north of the byway. Alkali Creek flows alongside the trail near the southern end of the byway.

Those interested in camping will find a six-site BLM campground near the southern terminus. A separate campground for riders and their horses is located adjacent to Alkali Creek Campground. Additional public campgrounds can be found in the Black Hills National Forest to the south. To the north of the byway is Black Butte State Park. There are fifteen sites for tents and recreational vehicles, however, no hookups are provided.

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Historic Route 66

Posted on October 29, 2015 by siteadmin

Historic Route 66 is located in western Arizona, just south of Kingman. The byway begins in McConnico off I-40 and travels southwest to Topock, returning to I-40.

The 48-mile drive follows a paved, two-lane road suitable for most vehicles. There are sharp curves along this route; it is not recommended for vehicles over 40 feet. The byway is usually passable all year.

The Black Mountains region of the original Route 66 is preserved here along this scenic drive. There are famous sites to be discovered or revisited, including the Sitgreaves Pass tri-state overlook, which provides a spectacular view into the states of California, Nevada, and Arizona. Also along this back country byway is the vintage Cool Springs Gas Station, which has been rebuilt and contains old photos and artist renderings.

Building foundations, rock formations, and mine shafts are all that remain of the once bustling gold mining community of Gold Road Townsite. In its heyday, thousands of people inhabited the area. The former townsite is privately owned, please respect the property owner’s rights!

Located midway along the scenic drive is the town of Oatman. Oatman was first settled in the late 1880s and once claimed a bustling population of 8,000. It is famous for the Oatman Hotel, the honeymoon hideaway of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. The hotel is now a museum. Among the town’s other attractions are wild burros, which freely wander through the streets.

Mount Nutt Wilderness lies to the north of the byway and Warm Springs Wilderness to the south. These wilderness areas are an invitation for hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Back country camping is permitted nearly anywhere within the wilderness. A number of rough, unmarked side roads along the byway serve as access points to the areas. There are no maintained trails; travel is cross-country.

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