Rugged Red Canyons Scenic Back Road

From 2nd in Coldwater, 3 miles south on Central (becomes U.S. 183), 11 miles east on L, 6 miles southeasterly on 24/South Loop, 1 mile south on X, 3 1/2 miles east on Q, 2 1/2 miles north on N/North Loop, 4 1/2 miles east on North Loop (becomes Estill in Barber County), then 6¼ miles north on Aetna to U.S. 160. This backroad beauty of a drive starts out through typical rolling red hills, but farther east the larger and more jagged the red canyons become. You’re in open pasture with few obstructions. Charred cedar trees are evidence of the 2016 Anderson Creek fires. As you drive into Barber County, the red hills become littered with gypsum, a natural white mineral deposit. On this trip, unpaved roads are your route through this incredibly breathtaking part of the state. (Address link takes you to starting point 3 miles south of Coldwater on L.)

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