NJ - PA via Rt 6 - suggestions?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I'm going to visit my parents in a couple of weeks and will be riding the BMW there. I plan on taking Rt 6 across the top of PA (I've done this before, but in a car) and was wondering if there are any side roads/sights that I should see?

I've been to the Grand Canyon near Wellsburg before, so that one can be crossed off the list. I've also been through Centralia (fire town!) and some of the roads west of Wilkes-Barre (near Sweet Valley and Mildred).

What routes (with nearby towns, so I can find them) can anyone recommend?  

This is the map as I currently have it:

View Larger Map

[Mastros2]

If you would like a sightseeing spot, check out Hyner View outside the town of Renovo. Much better than the Grand Canyon of PA, imo.  

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/hynerview/index.htm

[Carbonero]

Kinzua Bridge near Coudersport.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/kinzuabridge/index.htm

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Noted  


FYI, I don't mind bad roads, gravel road or dirt roads. Or water crossings, for that matter    I am generally not one for "views" (if only because I'm spoiled for west coast views), but I do like farm lands, abandoned buildings and the road less traveled  

[WJW]

Kinzua Dam is a nice change, in Smithport take Route 59, it will run along the reservoir past the dam and take you back to Route 6 in Warren

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Good ideas, thanks guys.

Having grown up in NW PA, I know the names, but haven't been to most of these places. I'm going to take advantage of the solo ride to check some of them out.  

[Carbonero]

I've heard folks complaining of truck traffic, but 144, 44 and 120 and a few others make up a nice loop.
Rt. 6 West to 660 to 287 to to 414 to 44 to to 144 south to 120 to steam mill road north back up to Coudersport.

Like this... Takes you through some decent forested area.

Grab a meal or stop-rest in Renovo.

http://goo.gl/maps/2WRW

[Mastros2]

If you are stopping in Renovo for the night, I can recommend the Sportsman Motel.  Decent place to stay with a decent restaurant attached.
http://www.sportsmanshotel.com/

[Rincewind]

Roebling Aquaduct





Tunkhannock Viaduct



PA Grand Canyon



Kinzua Bridge



Lake Erie



Consider a return via the Finger Lakes

[garry]

There is a flat/easy dirt road from route 44 that takes you directly to the Hyner Overlook.

You can also visit the Austin dam disaster site (take 120 west from Hyner View to 872? north, then north a bit to Austin).

Before heading up 872, I would recommend riding Wyckoff Run Rd from Sinnemahoning south to jct Quehanna Hwy and back. A great 10 miles of twisties along a stream (each way).

The Straub brewery is in St Marys if you want a tour and visit the Eternal Tap.

I think the Zippo lighter factory is somewhere along route 6 (more or less) too.

Last I head, the "Caledonia Highway" was 20-some miles of dirt road. Look it up on the map. It's in that general area too. Lots of dirt forest service type roads to be found.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Thanks guys! I'll check these out and see what I can fit into the ride. Taking 80/380/6 is an 8 hour day as it is, so I need to mind my P's and Q's in how many detours I toss in there  

[ConPilot1]

Stop at Sinnemahoning and check out the yearly Rattlesnake Round-up. It's this weekend. 9th and 10th.

Redneckers, lots of beer and rattlesnakes. They invent games and shit with them. Somebody gets bit every year.

There's only two of them that I know of in PA every year. Noxen and Sinnemahoning.

If you're heading North/East up the Susquehanna River Valley stop at the overlook at the Wyalusing Rocks. It's on the left of the highway up at the very top of the mountain after you
go through Wyalusing. Pretty scenic view of the river plain. There are a lot of historical markers up that way also. Lots of Native American/colonial conflict sites.

[Bravo12]

http://mototour2010.com/weblog/?p=267

[iXXion]

Route 6 is a nice drive, and it sounds as though you have a full days travel in front of you.  Although there are interesting side roads, they'll slow you down considerably, and none fall into the category of "can't miss" riding.   I'd suggest you enjoy Rte 6 as you can despite the increasing truck and level of traffic as you approach the eastern part of the state.

There's two areas you might enjoy that won't slow you down.  The first is the 187 loop.  Shortly after you cross the Susquehanna in Towanda,  take 187 south (right turn at traffic light),  This will loop back to Wyalusing.  A left turn at the stop sign will take you back across the Susquehanna and onto Rte 6.  This is a pleasant curvy road, but if you take this detour, you will miss the Marie Antoinette Lookout/Scenic Viewpoint on Rte 6.  Choices.

The second is to take 92 south at Tunkhannock, and veer left onto Rte 307.  Its a curvy road through the town of Lake Winola, and much more pleasant than Rte 6, which becomes much more industrial and busy from that point eastward. 307 will dump you out onto Rte 6 near your entrance to I-81 with plenty of places to potty and gas up.

Looks like a nice weekend.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

This is a pleasant curvy road, but if you take this detour, you will miss the Marie Antoinette Lookout/Scenic Viewpoint on Rte 6.  Choices.

I've stopped and seen the look out, so no need to "chose" this time  

Looks like a nice weekend.  

Just pointing out that I'm not leaving until the 22nd, since a couple of replies have made comments about the upcoming weekend  

[nnjhawk02]

Hey I'll add my.02

Add some extra time in the morning & yes they're some great roads in NJ  

From Port Murray, NJ - Hoffman Rd to end, left onto Jackson Valley Rd stay on road passed Warren Hills H.S., make right onto Brass Castle Rd (rt. 623), then left onto Harmony - Brass Castle Rd. (Rt. 647) watch for bears, forest rats, etc.  This is a Fantastic road!

I would make left at end towards P-burg & slab it on Rt. 22 / I-78 into Pa.  Take to Hamburg, Pa. - Rt. 61 North.  Cabelas is there if ya need new Froggs Toggs & Hermys is up the road.  Then left onto Rt. 895 to end in Pine Grove, right Rt. 443 into 125 to Shamokin.  Will not disappoint.

This way U miss the dreaded Water Gap traffic on I-80

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Hey I'll add my.02

Add some extra time in the morning & yes they're some great roads in NJ  

From Port Murray, NJ - Hoffman Rd to end, left onto Jackson Valley Rd stay on road passed Warren Hills H.S., make right onto Brass Castle Rd (rt. 623), then left onto Harmony - Brass Castle Rd. (Rt. 647) watch for bears, forest rats, etc.  This is a Fantastic road!

I would make left at end towards P-burg & slab it on Rt. 22 / I-78 into Pa.  Take to Hamburg, Pa. - Rt. 61 North.  Cabelas is there if ya need new Froggs Toggs & Hermys is up the road.  Then left onto Rt. 895 to end in Pine Grove, right Rt. 443 into 125 to Shamokin.  Will not disappoint.

This way U miss the dreaded Water Gap traffic on I-80

Yes, but I could also do this stuff on any day ride. I'd rather spend my time exploring roads/sights that are a little further away.

P-burg?  

[Carbonero]

Pittsburgh...?  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

haha - that was my first thought, but then I looked up where Port Murray is and figured it must be for Phillipsburg?  *shrug*

[Mrs. DantesDame]

T-minus 23 hours

Tonight I'll review the suggestions (including iXXion's detour, thank you) and see what I can do. The weather is going to be brutal, but maybe once I get into the trees it'll cool off. This is your chance for any last-minute gems