Roads for Adventure

Roads for Adventure. . , The Changing Decades , In the decades between the 1930s and 1950s, travellers along Historic Route 66 changed markedly … along with their hopes and dreams, their vehicles and accommodations, and their perspective of the Black Mountains. , Dust, Depression, and the Promised Land , A half-million people migrated from the Dust Bowl states to the fertile California fields during the Depression Era of the 1930s. Carrying all their worldly possessions in their Model A or Model T Fords, these hearty migrants feared the steep, winding grades of Route 66 over the Black Mountains. Many even hired local residents to drive or tow their car over the dreaded Sitgreaves Pass in the cool of the evening before crossing the Colorado River into the Mojave Desert. , Glamour, Convertibles, and Adventure , As prosperity followed World War Il, military convoys were replaced by convertibles and the glitz of Hollywood. Movie stars joined other travellers on Route 66 seeking the adventure of the open road, and the roadside camps of the 1930's grew into businesses to serve the new fun-seekers. Their view of the Black Mountains changed from an obstacle of nature to an adventurous challenge. Here too, crossings were not only east to west, but also west to east – and back again! , Gateway to the Southwest , The 1950s brought a surge in that new American phenomenon – the family vacation. Route 66 enticed travellers to and through the heartland of the scenic Southwest. Although improvements in the family station wagon made mountain driving easier, drivers also wanted faster roadways through flatter landscapes. In 1953, Route 66 was officially rerouted through Yucca and away from the Black Mountains – one less obstacle to cross-country travel. , A New Vision , While the popular television program “Route 66” ran its course, the view of the Black Mountains shifted from winding barrier to one of scenic beauty and valuable resources. The mountains still hold visions of America's past, such as remnants of the mining community of Gold Road and the nostalgic flavor of Oatman. But the mountains also house 150,000 acres of wilderness and the largest herds of wild burros and desert bighorn sheep in Arizona. Clearly the Black Mountains have remained a constant in a changing world. , Get Your Kicks … , Whatever brings you here – scenic beauty, history, or nostalgia - follow the Main Street of America through the Black Mountains. Witness the striking beauty of the mountains at sunrise, hear the bray of a distant burro, spot a bighorn on a rocky crag. Whatever you want, you'll likely find it … on Route 66. , Rediscover the West … , Back Country Byways open doors to new experiences. Following a Byway can take you back in time, allow you glimpses of things you've never seen, and provide you with a variety of recreational opportunities. Each Byway has exceptional values, whether scenic, recreational, or historical, and provides a unique encounter with the land. , The Bureau of Land Management's Back Country Byways Program is a national effort to open up the less traveled corridors of the western public lands, to provide access to the treasures of our rich heritage, and to enhance opportunities for scenic driving. The public lands exhibit such a diversity of resources and uses – they can provide an enjoyable experience for almost anyone! , … And Respect the Lands , The western lands are special places. These public lands, as well as the lands in private ownership surrounding them, require grant care. The resources must be preserved, not only for the wildlife that inhabit the lands, but also for future visitors. Please be considerate of others you encounter in your journey, leave gates as you found them, pack out trash, and value the rights of private landowners/