Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway

infobox road
marker_

state=UT
highway_name=Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway
maint=UDOT
length_mi=79.558
length_round=3
established=1988
counties=Uintah
Daggett
direction_a=South
starting_terminus=jct|state=UT|US|40 in Vernal
direction_b=North
ending_terminus=Wyoming state line
jct|state=UT|SR|43 in Manila

The Flaming Gorge - Uintas Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway in the state of Utah. It spans approximately 80 miles as it travels from Vernal, Utah northward through the Ashley National Forest and the Uintah Mountains to the area around Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area in the northeastern corner of the state.

Route description

The south end of this route starts out in Vernal, Uintah County at the intersection of US-40 and US-191. From there, it travels north on US-191, enters Ashley National Forest, and passes Steinaker State Park and Red Fleet State Park as it starts to climb into the Uinta Mountains. It continues north on its climb, encountering several switchbacks before topping out close to 8400 feet in elevation. As it gradually starts to descend it enters Daggett County before it enters Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Just inside the recreation area boundaries, the route splits in two.

Taking the right branch continues on US-191 to the northeast, passing over an inlet to Flaming Gorge Reservoir via a suspension bridge, before crossing Flaming Gorge Dam, and passing by the town of Dutch John. From here the route curves back around the southwest portion of Flaming Gorge reservoir, travelling northwest to Dutch John Gap, turning north through the gap, and turning to the northeast again after exiting Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, continuing until the Wyoming state border.

Taking the left branch, the route follows SR-44 westward, which forms the sourthern boundary of the recreation area in this area, roughly following the southern rim of Flaming Gorge, passing a turnoff to the Red Canyon Overlook and Visitors Center. As SR-44 approaches the western edge of the recreation area, it starts to turn in a northerly direction overall, descending in a series of turns as it approaches the southwestern tip of Flaming Gorge Reservoir and passes through Sheep Creek Gap. From this point, the route turns north, exits the recreation area, and continues a few miles further before it ends at the intersection of SR-43 in Manila.

History

For the histories of this route's constituent highways prior to its scenic byway designation, refer to:
* US-191
* SR-44

The scenic byway was formed in 1988cite web | title=Flaming Gorge - Uintas Scenic Byway | publisher=Utah Travel Industry | url=http://www.utah.com/byways/flaming_gorge.htm | accessdate=2008-07-06] as Utah's first Forest Service Byway. It was added to the National Scenic Byways system on June 9, 1998.cite news | title=Transportation Secretary Slater Announces All-American Roads, Scenic Byways in 19 States | publisher = Utah Department of Transportation | location=Washington, DC | url=http://www.dot.gov/affairs/1998/fhwa2498.htm | date=1998-06-09 | accessdate=2008-08-21]

Major intersections

outhern portion

jcttop|length_ref=cite web | title=Highway Reference US-191 | url=http://www.udot.utah.gov/main/uconowner.gf?n=6661804748160399 | format=pdf | publisher=Utah Department of Transportation | date=2008-05-01| accessdate=2008-09-04] jctint
state=UT
county=Uintah
cspan=4
location=Vernal
mile=0.000
road=jct|state=UT|US|40|name1=Main Street
notes=Southern terminusjctint
state=UT
location=
lspan=3
mile=5.558
road=jct|state=UT|SR|301 to Steinaker State Parkjctint
mile=10.120
road=Access road to Red Fleet State Parkjctint
mile=17.083
road=Route enters Ashley National Forestjctint
state=UT
county=Daggett
cspan=2
location=
mile=32.535
road=Route leaves Ashley National Forest; enters Flaming Gorge National Recreation Areajctint
state=UT
location=Greendale Junction
mile=34.695
road=jct|state=UT|SR|44
notes=Route splits in two at this point

Northeast branch (US-191)

jctint
state=UT
county=Daggett
cspan=4
location=Greendale Junction
mile=34.665
road=jct|state=UT|SR|44jctint
state=UT
location=
lspan=3
mile=40.744-40.959
road=Overpass over Flaming Gorge Damjctint
mile=48.454
road=Route leaves Flaming Gorge National Recreation Areajctint
mile=51.557
road=Wyoming state line
notes=Northern terminus

Northwest branch (SR-44)

jcttop|length_ref=cite web | title=Highway Reference SR-44 | url=http://www.udot.utah.gov/main/uconowner.gf?n=7007301676238144 | format=pdf | publisher=Utah Department of Transportation | date=2008-05-01| accessdate=2008-09-04] jctint
state=UT
county=Daggett
cspan=4
location=Greendale Junction
mile=34.665
road=jct|state=UT|US|191jctint
state=UT
location=
lspan=2
mile=38.117
road=Access road to Red Canyon Visitors Centerjctint
mile=58.114
road=Route leaves Flaming Gorge National Recreation Areajctint
state=UT
location=Manila
mile=62.660
road=jct|state=UT|SR|43|name1=Center Street
notes=Northern terminus

References