Bighorn

Posted on October 27, 2015 by siteadmin

Bighorn scenic byway is in north-central Wyoming 21 miles west of Sheridan. It follows US 14 between Dayton and Shell, a distance of 58 miles. US Highway 14 is a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. Temporary closure by snow is possible in winter, otherwise the byway remains open year-round. Forty miles are officially designated a National Forest Scenic Byway.

From Dayton, the Bighorn National Forest Scenic Byway begins at an elevation of 3,926 feet and climbs to over 9,000 feet at Granite Pass. Between these two points, the byway twists and turns up switchbacks as it makes the ascent up the Bighorn Mountains. From Granite Pass, the byway begins its descent of nearly 5,000 feet to pass through Shell Canyon and the byway’s end in Shell. Accompanying you for this portion of the byway are the babbling waters of Granite and Shell Creeks. All along the byway wildflowers display their beautiful colors from spring to autumn. Joyful songbirds sing, telling you of the marvelous scenery they live among. Byway travelers will pass through forests of ponderosa pine, alpine fir, Engelmann spruce, and lodgepole pine in addition to wide open grassy meadows and valleys.

Wildlife observers will delight in small and large creatures that inhabit the area. Of the smaller variety are porcupines, gophers, and beavers. Mule deer and white-tailed deer may be seen with elk grazing along rivers and streams or among the grasses of open meadows. Moose, black bears, bobcats, and coyotes also inhabit the area but are more secretive. Bighorn sheep have been transplanted into the area and may also be spotted occasionally. Anglers may want to spend some time trying to pull rainbow, brown, and brook trout from the forest’s many rivers and streams.

Be sure to stop and view the beautiful Shell Falls. Walking trails provide closer examination of the waterfalls. An information center here has some information on the area. Stay awhile and read a good book, talk with others, or enjoy a picnic. By all means, take some pictures!

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Blue Ridge Parkway

Posted on October 23, 2015 by siteadmin

Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile drive between Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. This 252-mile segment is in western North Carolina and travels between the Virginia state line and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Blue Ridge Parkway is a two-lane paved road that is suitable for most vehicles. Portions of the byway pass through small tunnels cut into the rock and may prohibit trailer traffic. The byway is generally open year-round but portions may temporarily close during winter.

The Blue Ridge Parkway follows the Appalachian Mountain chain, twisting and turning through the beautiful mountains. From the Shenandoah National Park, the scenic drive travels along the Blue Ridge Mountains for 355 miles. Then, for the remaining 114 miles, it skirts the southern end of the Black Mountains, weaves through the Craggies, the Pisgahs, and the Balsams before finally ending in the Great Smokies. The Blue Ridge Parkway was authorized in 1933 and became a unit of the National Park Service in 1936.

This portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful drive across western North Carolina. Cumberland Knob is the first stopping point when traveling the route from north to south. This is a good place to walk through fields and woodlands on a loop trail to Cumberland Knob or enjoy a picnic lunch. A longer trail here will take you into Gully Creek Gorge. Allow two hours to complete the walk. A visitor center is also located here and has information on the parkway.

Doughton Park, near the northern end of the byway, is a 7,000-acre recreation area with miles of hiking trails. Those interested in staying overnight will find camping facilities for tents and trailers in addition to a lodge, complete with food service and gasoline. Picnicking facilities can also be found here.

Another large re-creation area is the 4,344-acre Julian Price Memorial Park. Camping, picnicking, fishing, and hiking are among the recreational opportunities here. Located just north of this park is Moses H. Cone Memorial Park which has many miles of horse and carriage trails. The historic Cone Manor House and Parkway Craft Center are also located near here.

The National Park Service has also developed several smaller recreation areas along the byway. At Linville Falls Recreation Area, visitors will find a walking trail that leads to scenic overlooks. The falls plummet through a dramatic, rugged gorge; an area that was donated by John D. Rockefeller. A visitor center, campground, and picnic facilities are also available.

Crabtree Meadows is a 250-acre recreation area that is painted a beautiful pink in the spring. A picnic area provides a pleasant setting for enjoying a lunch. Scenic waterfalls are reached by a short hiking trail. There is also camping facilities.

The Blue Ridge Parkway ends at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which preserves over 500,000 acres of heavily forested Appalachian Mountain land. For hikers, the Appalachian Trail runs through the park as do numerous other trails. Visitors will also find short, self-guided nature trails. There are ten developed camping areas in the park. The campgrounds have tent sites, limited trailer space, drinking water, fire rings, picnic tables, and restrooms. No hookups or shower facilities are provided.

Fall is a special time of the year to be traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway. Dogwood, sourwood, and blackgum turn a deep red in late September. Tulip-trees and hickories turn bright yellow, sassafras a vivid orange. The various oak trees add russet and maroon while the red maples proudly display their fall colors. All of this vivid color is set against a back-drop of the evergreen Virginia pine, white pine, hemlock, spruce, and fir.

Wildlife is abundant along the route. Woodchucks, chipmunks, raccoon, and opossum are the more commonly seen among wildlife. White-tailed deer and black bears are also present in the woods.

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Hualapai Mountains

Posted on October 17, 2015 by siteadmin

Hualapai Mountains Back Country Byway is located in western Arizona, near Kingman. The byway’s northern access is at the corner of Stockton Hill Road and Andy Devine Avenue in Kingman. The byway can also be accessed from the south off I-40 near Yucca.

Travelling from the northern access point, the byway is divided into four road type segments. The first segment is Hualapai Mountain Road, 13 miles of paved two-lane road suitable for passenger cars. The next segment of road is mostly one-lane with an unpaved surface that can be negotiated by passenger cars when the road is dry and free of ice. This segment is approximately four miles in length. The third segment is 21 miles of unpaved single-lane road that requires a high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle. The final segment is 12 miles of unimproved two-lane dirt road that is suitable for passenger cars from Boriana Mine to its terminus at I-40. Hualapai Mountains Back Country Byway is 50 miles long. You may want to inquire locally about the current road conditions before traveling the byway.

Hualapai Mountains Back Country Byway crosses a diverse landscape, from the open Mojave Desert near Kingman, up through foothills covered in pinyon pine and juniper, to an oak and ponderosa pine forest. Travelers begin at an elevation of 3,500 feet and climb to 6,500 feet in the Hualapai Mountains. Descending from the crest, travelers are given breathtaking views of pinyon and juniper woodland extending into the desert vegetation below.

Wildlife observation opportunities are plentiful, as the area is home to more than 80 species of birds, including hawks, owls, whippoorwills, and hummingbirds. Mule deer and elk also inhabit the area and share the region with coyotes and bobcats, among other wildlife.

Recreation along the byway is in the form of hiking, backpacking, off-road vehicle pursuits, and camping. The very popular 2,320-acre Hualapai Mountain County Park offers emergency first aid, campgrounds, water, hiking trails, rental cabins, and picnicking facilities. A smaller, less developed recreation site is managed by the BLM, the Wild Cow Springs Campground. The recreation area is only partially developed but provides camping and restroom facilities, grills, fire pits, and picnic tables. No potable water is available. The campground has 20 RV and tent sites. There is an RV length limit of 20 feet. The campground is generally open May through October.

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Outback Scenic Byway

Posted on October 15, 2015 by siteadmin

Outback Scenic Byway begins near La Pine in central Oregon. It follows OR 31 and US 395 south to New Pine Creek. A small segment follows CR 5-10 to Fort Rock. The roads are two-lane paved roads suitable for all vehicles. Outback Scenic Byway is 165 miles long and remains open year-round.

Oregon’s Outback Scenic Byway travels through a diverse landscape, from lush green forests to arid desert. A portion of the byway travels through the 1.2 million acre Fremont National Forest where visitors will find abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Forest offices are located in Silver Lake, Paisley, and Lakeview; information and maps are available. Wildlife observers will want to check out the Summer Lake State Wildlife Area. The 18,000-acre area is home to over 250 species of birds. Bald eagles, peregrine falcon, western snowy plovers, greater sand hill cranes, and trumpeter swans can be seen using the habitat.

Goose Lake State Park contains the byway’s only public campground. It is south of Lakeview and has 48 campsites with electric and water hookups. The sites can accommodate RVs up to 50 feet long. Among the facilities are restrooms, a dump station, drinking water, and showers. The park is usually open April to October. Fremont National Forest contains numerous public campgrounds but none are located directly on the byway.

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George Washington Memorial Parkway

Posted on October 12, 2015 by siteadmin

George Washington Memorial Parkway is in northeast Virginia and south-central Maryland. Portions of the scenic drive pass through Washington, D.C. This portion begins in Mount Vernon and travels north to I-495. The byway is 24 miles long and is primarily a four-lane divided highway suitable for all vehicles. In Alexandria, the byway follows Washington Street. George Washington Memorial Parkway is generally open year-round.

The parkway preserves the natural scenery along the Potomac River, connecting historic sites from Mount Vernon to the Great Falls of the Potomac. Many historic sites are complemented by the scenic countryside. The banks of Potomac River are covered with willows, elders, and birches. Fall brings vibrant colors to the parkway as the red maples, oaks, sumacs, and hickories proudly display their autumn attire.

Mount Vernon, the parkway’s southern terminus, is the home of George Washington. The Washington mansion, beautifully situated on a hill, was built in 1743 by Washington’s half brother, Lawrence. George Washington inherited the home in 1752. Both he and his wife are buried in an ivy-covered mausoleum not far from the house.

The parkway passes through historic Alexandria, which was founded in 1749. Some historical sites of interest include: Christ Church, where George Washington worshipped; Gadsby’s Tavern, frequented by Washington and other patriots; and the boyhood home of Confederate general Robert E. Lee.

Besides being an historical route, the byway also offers recreational opportunities. Dyke Marsh is home to over 250 species of birds and is a nice spot for fishing or hiking. Fort Hunt Park offers 156 acres for picnicking, hiking, or bicycling. A boat ramp can be found in Daingerfield Island as well as picnicking facilities.

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