FRONTIER PATHWAYS SCENIC & HISTORIC BYWAY
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- Photo courtesy of National Scenic Byways Online program
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Total distance: 103 miles
Suggested time: 3.5 hours
The city of Pueblo is steeped in Colorado history, and holds great importance to several past generations that inhabited this region. Fur traders and trappers used it as a convergence point, Ute Indians made their homes in the South Central region and Spanish conquistadores explored the area in search of precious minerals. It is a true crossroads of cultures, and now serves the same purpose, bringing visitors from all over to view the vast and endemic Colorado scenery.
In addition to the nowhere-else-but-Colorado scenery and history, wildlife is also a constant and welcome distraction throughout this trip. Gray fox, mule deer, elk and pronghorn are all residents of the area, and generally aren’t too shy to show off their elegant forms and graceful movements to travelers.
Start your journey the northern passage of the byway, which begins in Pueblo on Highway 96 West. Five miles into this route, it skirts the south side of Lake Pueblo State Park — a local favorite, complete with a 4,646 acres of water and almost any outdoor activity you can imagine, making it a complete outdoor playground. While not located directly on the byway, the park makes for an ideal spot to stop and explore on foot before continuing your car ride.
High plains first greet visitors along the first 20 miles of this byway, and sporadically situated buttes intermingle with the vast flatlands around them. In the distance, fighting for prominence on the horizon, stand the evergreens of the San Isabel National Forest, and beyond them, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
A short and scenic 25-mile drive along the byway leads to the town of Westmore. This town stands as an unofficial marker, separating the western reaches of the Great Plains from the edge of the Rocky Mountains. Here is where the vistas begin a dramatic change. As you ramble along this drive, you enter the San Isabel National Forest where the peaks of the Sangre de Cristos are noticeably closer and are quite often unveiled through the cover of lush evergreens.
At 35 miles into the trip, at the junction of Highway 96 and Highway 165, the byway breaks off along a route to the west and another to the southeast. Continue west along Highway 96 for 15 miles to the sister towns of Silver Cliff and Westcliffe. These small towns are tucked snuggly into the cradle of the San Isabel National Forest. Westcliffe is intriguing, as it seems as if no other town could be constructed closer to the looming Sangre de Cristo Mountains without actually being perched atop the pinnacles themselves.
Backtrack to the turnoff of Highway 165 South, and follow it along the southern arm of the byway, as it passes an oddly, interesting modern-day structure — Bishop Castle. This building is more of a piece of functional art than a functioning castle. Jim Bishop, its creator, has vowed never to call his castle complete, so long as he has strength to work on it. It currently stands 160-feet tall and includes everything from a grand ballroom to a fire-breathing dragon. As of 2006, the castle has been under construction for 37 years, with no end in sight. It’s open year-round and visitation is free, although Jim accepts donations to help with his never-ending endeavor.
If you’d like to pitch a tent and enjoy what you’ve been driving through for a bit longer, this section of byway is ideal. Choose from a variety of tent-camping sites dispersed throughout the area. There aren’t any facilities available, so be sure to bring everything you need to stay comfortably.
The vistas along this route end as they started, with sweeping views of the Great Plains, where buttes dot the landscape. The small town of Colorado City anchors the southern leg of the byway, and is a good place to get out and stretch your legs after your drive, or enjoy a bite at the local establishments.
updated: 07/17/06
