Alternate routes to San Marcos?

[OzzyRules]

Originally Posted by Soviet

Don't mean to derail, but what's so beautiful about Devil's Backbone? & why is it called that?

It's through the Hill Country, but I don't know. I've only seen photos, and the drive on 290 between Johnson City and Dripping Springs seems more scenic than the photos I've seen.

I guess the hype may just be because it's so close to San Antonio. Not necessarily the best in Texas overall.

[Chimuelojones]

Originally Posted by TexHwyMan

That's worse than I-35 through Austin?

The milage from NB to SA is longer than a going thru Austin. I usually hit traffic in Austin if I hit rush hours Morning, Lunchtime, 5:00oc, or Saturday early afternoon shoppers.

[TexHwyMan]

Originally Posted by Soviet

Don't mean to derail, but what's so beautiful about Devil's Backbone? & why is it called that?

I don't know where it got the name, but it is quite scenic. There is a picnic area at the top with a nice overlook of the area. Here's a decent look from Google Maps Streetview, although it really doesn't do it justice:

Google Maps

[TexHwyMan]

A little more research yielded this about the name:

The Devil’s Backbone is a scenic road in the Texas Hill Country. Bert Wall, a local author and historian, says the Backbone was known to Comanches and Apaches and considered a spiritual place. According to Wall, the name Devil’s Backbone dates back to the 1750s. It was a nickname Spanish workers gave a persnickety priest.

According to legend, the whole area is haunted. Modern day visitors and residents have reported hearing hoofbeats that aren’t there. They see Indians and Confederate Soldiers who vanish when approached.

The Devil’s Backbone Tavern | Catie Rhodes

[rctsat]

Take a drive Soviet, and check it out for yourself. It's one of those scenic drives in Texas that can't be explained, it has to be experienced.