5 Spectacular Mountain Scenic Drives in US that you not want to miss
By: Luci

Mount Baker Scenic Byway, Washington

PhotoBy smlevy24

PhotoBy smlevy24

This drive has much to soothe and excite traveler’s eyes all at once. Nooksack River travels alongside much of the byway. Its clear, swift waters create one of the most majestic views at the thundering Nooksack Falls. Towering trees crowd along the byway harboring shady glades for the perfect picnic area. The culmination of the byway offers the tremendous experience of gazing up at the sparkling light as it plays upon the glacier-encased slopes of Mount Baker.

Info: http://www.byways.org/

Trail Ridge Road, Colorado

PhotoBy FarFromPerfect

PhotoBy Fort Photo

Covering the 48 miles between Estes Park on the park's east side and Grand Lake on the west, Trail Ridge Road more than lives up to its advanced billing. Eleven miles of this high highway travel above treeline, the elevation near 11,500 feet where the park's evergreen forests come to a halt. As it winds across the tundra's vastness to its high point at 12,183 feet elevation, Trail Ridge Road (U.S. 34) offers visitors thrilling views, wildlife sightings and spectacular alpine wildflower exhibitions.

Info: http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

The Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana

PhotoBy Rebecca Latson

PhotoBy sth475

The Going-to-the-Sun Road was completed in 1932 and is a spectacular 52 mile, paved two-lane highway that bisects the park east and west. It spans the width of Glacier, crossing the Continental Divide at 6,646-foot-high Logan Pass. It passes through almost every type of terrain in the park, from large glacial lakes and cedar forests in the lower valleys to windswept alpine tundra atop the pass. Scenic viewpoints and pullouts line the road, so motorists can stop for extended views and photo opportunities. The road is well worth traveling in either direction, as the view from one side of the road is much different than from the other. In 1983 Going-To-The-Sun Road was included in the National Register of Historic Places and in 1985 was made a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Info: http://visitmt.com/

San Juan Skyway, Colorado

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PhotoBy Paraflyer

The sheer cliffs and rugged terrain of the Skyway boast some of the most dramatic scenery on the planet. See crashing waterfalls in the spring as the snow melts in the higher mountains. Wildflowers garnish the alpine forests in the summer months, where the gilded amber, bronze, and gold of the aspens delight autumn visitors. Winter brings a glistening blanket of snow to the byway, perfect for quiet admiration or more active recreation.

The San Juan Skyway promises a fiesta for the senses any time of year. Skiing is one of its premier winter activities, filled with fresh powder and quality resorts. After the thaw, enjoy four-wheeling, bicycling, kayaking, dirt-biking, and motorcycle-touring with friends, or indulge in solitary backpacking, hunting, fishing, and photography in the lush landscape. There's rest and relaxation, too. You can browse town shops, soak in historic hot springs, stay in a Victorian lodge, or sleep under the stars in a forest campground. This playground in the sky promises something for everyone in every season.

Info: http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2101/index.html

Snowy Mountain Range Road, Wyoming

PhotoBy AndreJenny.com

The Snowy Range Road, Hwy 130 from Laramie to the Upper Platte River Valley, was designated the Second National Forest Scenic Byway in the United States. Begun in 1920, it took 6 years to complete and was called the "Great Skyroad". This route is a popular recreation attraction with many picnic, camping, observation and interpretive facilities. The mountain ranges of Colorado can be seen from the Libby Flats Observation Point. The Krummholz vegetation associated with the alpine zone is located in this area, and a beautiful array of wildflowers can be seen from early June through July. A self-guided tour is available at the Ryan Park Campground which was the site of a WWII Prisoner of War camp. Medicine Bow Peak, at 12, 013 feet, the highest point on the Medicine Bow Forest, is immediately adjacent to the Byway. There are several hiking trails accessible from the Byway, including a trail up to Medicine Bow Peak. A trip along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway is a must when you visit southeastern Wyoming!

Info: http://www.byways.org/explore/