Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway

Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway marker

Lariat Loop
Scenic and Historic Byway

Route information
Maintained by CDOT
Length40 mi[1] (64 km)
Existed2002–present
Major junctions
North end US 6 Golden
South end SH 74 Golden
Location
CountryUnited States
StateColorado
CountiesJefferson
Highway system
  • Colorado State Highway System

The Lariat Loop National Scenic and Historic Byway is a National Scenic Byway and a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Jefferson County, Colorado, USA. The byway is a 40-mile (64 km) loop in the Front Range foothills west of Denver through Golden, Lookout Mountain Park, Genesee Park, Evergreen, Morrison, Red Rocks Park, and Dinosaur Ridge. The Lariat Loop connects to the Mount Evans Scenic Byway at Bergen Park.

Route

The byway includes portions of State Highway 93 between Golden and Morrison, State Highway 74 from Morrison to Evergreen via Bear Creek Canyon, and the same road north to Interstate 70, which bisects the loop. The Lariat Trail connects Golden with the top of Lookout Mountain and Lookout Mountain Road completes the loop back to Interstate 70. This route formed the foundation for the surrounding 150-square-mile (390 km2) area’s designation as a Colorado Heritage Area in 2000; the Byway was so designated by the Colorado Dept. of Transportation and Governor Owens in April 2002. The Lariat Loop connects to the Mount Evans Scenic Byway via Mestaa'ėhehe Road (formerly Squaw Pass Road).[2]

The Lariat Loop Byway blends natural, cultural, and historic attributes in a route that has been promoted as a tourist destination since 1914 and can be enjoyed in a half-day’s drive from Denver. Along the route are dozens of historic sites, scenic parks, and other attractions (see list below), many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Although the Lariat Loop is not listed, it comprises two registered routes, the Bear Creek Canyon Scenic Mountain Drive and the Lariat Trail Scenic Mountain Drive.

The Lariat Loop encompasses parts of Denver’s original “circle drives,” within the unique Denver Mountain Parks system designed by F.L. Olmsted, Jr, in 1914. The diverse geography of the foothills setting offers dense forests, mountain vistas, winding roads, rocky outcrops and ridges, and historic “beauty spots.” Many of these scenic areas have become county or city parks and are accessible to the public.

All roads along the Lariat Loop Byway are accessible via passenger vehicle, with convenient services, year-round. Open Space and Mountain Parks are protected areas and all wildlife and plants are protected.

Attractions

Major intersections

The entire route is in Jefferson County.

LocationmikmExitDestinationsNotes
El Rancho

 I-70 east / US 40 east



 US 40 west to I-70 west
Morrison
 SH 74 east		Byway continues onto Hogback Road north
Golden
 US 40 west		Byway continues onto US 40 east

 US 40 east		Byway continues onto Heritage Road

 US 6 east		Byway continues onto US 6 west

 US 6 west		Byway continues onto 19th Street west
​
 US 40 east		Byway continues onto US 40 west
​254
 I-70 east		Byway continues onto I-70 west
​253Chief Hosa
​252
 I-70 west
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Gallery

See also

Notes

References

  1. ^ "Lariat Loop". Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  2. ^ Hgrapid (n.d.). "Mestaa'ėhehe Mountain". Summitpost. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.

External links

  • America's Byways
  • Bureau of Land Management Back Country Byways
  • Colorado Department of Transportation
    • Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways Commission
      • Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways
    • Colorado Travel Map
  • Colorado Tourism Office
  • History Colorado


39°43′44″N 105°14′15″W / 39.7290°N 105.2374°W / 39.7290; -105.2374 (Lookout Mountain, Colorado, USA)

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