Mountain Road Gets 'America's Byways' Designation for its Breathtaking Sights.
LARRY COPENHAVER
Tucson Citizen
Federal officials finally have officially recognized something folks in southern Arizona have known all along.
The road that carries people from the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains to Summerhaven is one of the most scenic drives in the nation.
It's official, thanks to the U.S. Department of Transportation, said Mindee Roth, manager of the recreation staff for the U.S. Forest Service's Santa Catalina Ranger District.
Tuesday, Roth announced that the route, commonly called the Catalina Highway but officially named the Gen. Hitchcock Highway, has been named one of "America's Byways" by the federal government.
In the declaration, the Transportation Department calls the route the Sky Island Scenic Byway, she noted. The highway, recently emerging from 17 years of reconstruction, is among 45 new routes named to the list.
The highway winds into the mountains from about 2,500 feet above sea level to around 8,000 feet. It crosses through a diverse series of ecological treasures, from distinctive saguaro and cholla cactuses to cork-bark conifers and quaking aspen.
"Now that the construction is done, it has some good sights. I like it," said Jacob Jirschele, a firefighter with the Mount Lemmon Fire District. "I drive up and down two or three times a week for the past four years. It's always been a beautiful road."
The long spell of construction sometimes left motorists a bit frustrated, added Roy Lundstrom, a resident of Summerhaven. "It's a lot better now. There are some pretty overlooks along the way, very pretty places. It's a very nice drive."
Other Arizona highways designated as national scenic routes include Red Rock Scenic Road near Sedona, Historic Route 66, Coronado Trail from Clifton to Springerville and Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway.
The National Scenic Byways Program was established in 1991 to recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads in the United States, Roth said. The national collection of such roadways is promoted around the world.
Because of that, the designation is expected to stir up interest as well as funding for such things as signage and interpretation projects, said District Ranger Larry Raley. Also, the new status will heighten awareness of forest ecology and forest fires while helping community efforts to restore the vitality of Summerhaven and forest-dependent businesses.
The state recently received a large grant from the Federal Highway Administration to educate visitors about fire in the ecosystem by developing interpretive brochures, signs and exhibits, Roth noted.
www.bywaysonline.org
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