Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway
U.S. Highway 160 between Medicine Lodge and Coldwater is also the Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway. The hills are larger toward the Medicine Lodge end of the byway and the scenery is even more dramatic if you get off the highway and take some of the side roads to the south.
Along the Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway is this handy kiosk with information about the region. There are two scenic turnouts along the 42-mile stretch through Barber and Commanche Counties.
Kansas has nine scenic byways: Flint Hills, Frontier Military, Glacial Hills, Gypsum Hills, Native Stone, Post Rock, Prairie Trail, Smoky Valley, and Wetlands and Wildlife.
Here’s a video by the Scenic Byways people: Managing Roadsides.
And if you’re fascinated, as I am, about the physiographic regions of Kansas, stayed tuned for this Tuesday’s Flyover People column about a brand new book published by the Kansas Geological Survey at the University of Kansas: Kansas Physiographic Regions – Bird’s-eye Views by James S. Aber and Susan W. Aber (Emporia State University geologists. )
View looking to the west toward Coldwater from the Gypsum Hills Scenic Byways kiosk along U.S. 160.
Dave, of course, was taking photographs also. Here’s one of his: Red Hills.
Yep that all looks very familiar. Been on that road quiet a few times in the past.