 Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway | |
|---|---|
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| Route information | |
| Maintained byCDOT | |
| Length | 40 mi[1] (64 km) |
| Existed | 2002–present |
| Major junctions | |
| North end |  US 6Golden |
| South end |  SH 74Golden |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| Counties | Jefferson |
| Highway system | |
| |
TheLariat Loop National Scenic and Historic Byway is aNational Scenic Byway and aColorado Scenic and Historic Byway located inJefferson County, Colorado, USA. The byway is a 40-mile (64 km) loop in theFront Rangefoothills west ofDenver throughGolden,Lookout Mountain Park,Genesee Park,Evergreen,Morrison,Red Rocks Park, andDinosaur Ridge. The Lariat Loop connects to theMount Blue Sky Scenic Byway at Bergen Park.
The byway includes portions ofState Highway 93 between Golden and Morrison,State Highway 74 from Morrison to Evergreen via Bear Creek Canyon, and the same road north toInterstate 70, which bisects the loop. TheLariat Trail connects Golden with the top ofLookout Mountain andLookout 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 theMount Blue Sky 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 fromDenver. Along the route are dozens of historic sites, scenic parks, and other attractions (see list below), many of which are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places. Although the Lariat Loop is not listed, it comprises two registered routes, theBear Creek Canyon Scenic Mountain Drive and theLariat Trail Scenic Mountain Drive.
The Lariat Loop encompasses parts of Denver’s original “circle drives,” within the uniqueDenver 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.
The entire route is inJefferson County.
| Location | mi | km | Exit | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Rancho |     I-70 east /US 40 east | ||||
   US 40 west toI-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 | ||
| | 253 | Chief Hosa | |||
| | 252 | I-70 west | |||
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi | |||||
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