The Blue Ridge Parkway - Mile 303.9

The Blue Ridge Parkway - Mile 303.9 - Yonahlossee Overlook

The Yonahlossee Overlook sits about 800 feet north of the iconic Linn Cove Viaduct. The name of the overlook pays homage to the former Yonahlossee Road which was one of North Carolina's first tourist roads and also helped to begin to end the High Country's isolation from the rest of the state. The 20 mile Yonahlossee Road which was built in 1890 would eventually evolve to today's US 221 which runs below the overlook.

Yonahlossee is Cherokee for "trail of the bear", and black bear are very common around the area.

The overlook is a popular stop for those wanting an up close look at the iconic Linn Cove Viaduct. From the overlook, there is a simple trail that runs inside the guard rail to the bridge.

Although the overlook doesn't provide access to the extremely popular overground shot of the viaduct - that can be accessed via the Linn Cove Visitor's Center on the other side of the viaduct - stopping here will still offer amazing views of this impressive structure and the surroundings.

All photos taken by post author - July 2019.

Navigation:

North - Mile 302.1 - View of Wilson Creek Valley
South - Mile 305.25 - Beacon Heights Overlook

Sources & Further Reading:

Johnson, Randy. "The Little Parkway: Driving Down Memory Lane Along The High Country's First Scenic By-Way." WNC Magazine. May/June 2019.
Hardy, Michael. "Yonahlossee Road, Black Bear Trail & Crest of the Blue Ridge Highway Roads." Avery Journal. May 16, 2008.
Ballard, Scott. "The Cherokee Legacy is still with us today." Appalachian Memory Keepers.

Comments

California State Route 232

This past month I drove the entirety of California State Route 232 in Ventura County. CA 232 is an approximately 4 miles State Highway aligned on Vineland Avenye which begins near Saticoy at CA 118 and traverses southwest to US Route 101 in Oxnard. The alignment of CA 232 was first adopted into the State Highway System in 1933 as Legislative Route Number 154 according to CAhighways.org. CAhighways.org on LRN 154 As originally defined LRN 154 was aligned from LRN 9 (future CA 118) southwest to LRN 2/US 101 in El Rio. This configuration of LRN 154 between CA 118/LRN 9 and US 101/LRN 2 can be seen on the 1935 California Division of Highways Map of Ventura County. 1935 Ventura County Highway Map According to CAhighways.org the route of LRN 154 was extended west from US 101/LRN 2 to US 101A/LRN 60 in 1951. Unfortunately State Highway Maps do not show this extension due to it being extremely small. During the 1964 State Highway Renumbering LRN 154 was assigned CA 232. Of n

Former US Route 101 and California State Route 1 in San Luis Obispo

Originally US Route 101 upon descending Cuesta Pass southbound entered the City of San Luis Obispo via Monterey Street. From Monterey Street US Route 101 utilized Santa Rosa Street and Higuera Street southbound through downtown San Luis Obispo. Upon departing downtown San Luis Obispo US Route 101 would have stayed on Higuera Street southward towards Pismo Beach and Arroyo Grande. Notably; beginning in 1934 US Route 101 picked up California State Route 1 at the intersection of Monterey Street/Santa Rosa Street where the two would multiplex to Pismo Beach. Pictured below is the 1 935 Division of Highways Map of San Luis Obispo County depicting the original alignments of US Route 101 and California State Route 1 in the City of San Luis Obispo. Part 1; the history of US Route 1 and California State Route 1 in San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo lies at the bottom of the Cuesta Pass (also known as the Cuesta Grade) which has made it favored corridor of travel for centuries. Cuesta Pass

Former California State Route 1 over Old Pedro Mountain Road

California State Route 1 in western San Mateo County traverses the Montara Mountain spur of the Santa Cruz Mountains. In modern times California State Route 1 passes through Montara Mountain via the Tom Lantos Tunnels and the highway is traditionally associated with Devils Slide. Although Devils Slide carries an infamous legacy due it being prone landslides it pales in comparison to the alignment California State Route 1 carried prior to November 1937 over Old Pedro Mountain Road. Old Pedro Mountain Road opened to traffic in 1915 and is considered one of the first major asphalted highways in California. Old Pedro Mountain Road clambers over a grade from Montara towards Pacifica via the 922 foot high Saddle Pass. Pictured above an overlook of Old Pedro Mountain Road facing southward towards Montara as it appears today. Pictured below it the same view during June 1937 when it was part of the original alignment of California State Route 1. Today Old Pedro Mountain sits abandoned a

Gribblenation

Search This Blog