The Energy Loop: Huntington/Eccles Canyons Scenic Byway

The Energy Loop: Huntington/Eccles Canyons Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway in the state of Utah. It spans approximately 83 miles (134 km) as it travels from Fairview through the Manti-La Sal National Forest southeast to Huntington via Huntington Canyon, and northeast to near Colton via Eccles Canyon.

The Energy Loop: Huntington/Eccles Canyons Scenic Byway
Route information
Maintained by UDOT
Length82.882 mi[1][2][3] (133.386 km)
Existed1990[4]–present
Component
highways
Major junctions
West end US-89 in Fairview
East end SR-10 in Huntington (south)
US-6 near Colton (north)
Location
CountiesUtah, Carbon, Emery, Sanpete
Highway system
  • State highways in Utah

Route description
Huntington/Eccles Canyons Scenic Byway, June 2005

The route begins in Fairview at the intersection of US‑89 and SR‑31 following SR‑31 eastward and immediately connects with the north end of SR‑231. As it exits the city, it turns northeast to follow Cottonwood Creek towards and into Fairview Canyon, about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the beginning of the route. It follows the canyon for another 6–7 miles, entering the Manti-La Sal National Forest, until it climbs out of the top end of the canyon at about 8,800 feet (2,700 m) altitude. From this point, the byway splits in two.

The south branch continues to follow SR‑31, climbing up to over 9,600 feet (2,900 m) elevation before dropping down to the east-southeast as it passes Huntington Reservoir, Cleveland Reservoir, and turning to the northeast towards Electric Lake. At this point, the route turns to the southeast, following Huntington Canyon and Huntington Creek downwards, eventually exiting the national forest and the canyon and ending in the city of Huntington, a mile southwest of Huntington State Park.

The North branch turns onto SR-264, which travels eastward towards the north end of Electric Lake, where it turns north to go up Upper Huntington Canyon. After about 3 miles (4.8 km), the route turns east again and climbs out of the Upper Huntington Canyon, and crosses over to Eccles Canyon, following Eccles Creek down. After about 6 miles (9.7 km), the canyon and the route turn back to the north again, passing through the town of Scofield, and passing by Scofield Reservoir and state park. It continues on past the north end of the reservoir for a few more miles before turning to the east yet again, ending northwest of Price Canyon near Colton.

History

For the histories of this route's constituent highways prior to its scenic byway designation, refer to:

This route was designated a Utah Scenic Byway in 1990, a National Forest Scenic Byway on February 6, 1991 (as Huntington Canyon Scenic Byway, Eccles Canyon Scenic Byway), and a National Scenic Byway on June 15, 2000.[4]

Major intersections
CountyLocationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
SanpeteFairview0.0000.000 US-89 (State Street) – Mount Pleasant, ProvoWestern terminus (as SR-31)
​8.57613.802 SR-264 (Eccles Canyon Scenic Byway) – ScofieldRoute splits into north and south branches
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

North branch
CountyLocationmi[1][2][3]kmDestinationsNotes
Sanpete​8.57613.802 SR-31 (Huntington Canyon Scenic Byway) – Huntington, FairviewNorth branch begins (as SR-264)
Carbon​23.94938.542 SR-96 – Clear Creek, ScofieldSR-264 ends; route continues on SR-96
Utah​43.71270.348 US-6 – Price, ProvoEastern terminus of north branch
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

South branch
CountyLocationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
Sanpete​8.57613.802 SR-264 (Eccles Canyon Scenic Byway) – ScofieldSouth branch begins (as SR-31)
EmeryHuntington47.74676.840 SR-10 (Main Street) – Castle Dale, PriceEastern terminus of south branch
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

References
  1. Staff (September 1, 2009). "Highway Reference: SR-31" (PDF). Utah Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 2, 2011.
  2. Staff (May 1, 2008). "Highway Reference: SR-264" (PDF). Utah Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 2, 2011.
  3. Staff (September 1, 2009). "Highway Reference: SR-96" (PDF). Utah Department of Transportation. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
  4. Staff. "The Energy Loop: Huntington/Eccles Canyons Scenic Byway—Official Designations". American's Byways. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved May 2, 2011.

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