Trail Overview
This route travels through a heavily wooded section of the forest, surrounded by mature hardwoods, pines, and dense understory vegetation. The surface transitions between gravel, native dirt, scattered rock, and sections covered by fallen leaves and pine needles. Natural erosion has created several washouts along the route, including uneven sections that will have the suspension articulating as the vehicle travels through them. Some of these washed-out areas contain exposed and loose rocks. Vegetation grows close to the roadway throughout much of the route, with brush and low-hanging branches extending into the travel path in places, so pinstriping and scratches to vehicle paint are possible. The dense forest canopy provides considerable shade, while occasional openings allow more sunlight onto the trail. Wildlife may also be encountered along or crossing the route. Please note that this portion of the Byway is restricted to highway-legal vehicles only.
History
The Mount Magazine area has a long history of transportation, forestry and recreation. During the Great Depression, federal programs including the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration developed roads and recreation infrastructure around the mountain. Cove Lake was constructed as part of the Mount Magazine land-use project and was completed in 1938, while CCC crews based at nearby Blue Mountain performed forestry work and improved roads throughout the area. Many of today's routes travel through the same national forest landscape that was extensively managed and developed during this period.
Offroad