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[JCZ]

Don and I left the Tucson area early Thurs. morning and met at a gas station to go ride The Devil.  Got it's name because it is a hell of a motorcycle road with many 10, 15 and 20 mile per hour curves and a number of switchbacks as it climbs up over 9,000' elevation because it was originally US 666.  However, it's now US 191 from Morenci, Arizona to Alpine, Arizona. 

And this route goes right through one of the largest mines in Arizona.  Arizona is known for it's copper mines all over southern Arizona however, this one is also a gold mine.  The road travels through the middle of the mine with operations on both sides of the road right up to the fence so it's visable up close and personal.

Our first little break was at the Rex Allen Museum in Wilcox, Ariz.  It was closed but we just took a quick snack break.....



We rode further east on I-10 to US 191 north to the little town of Safford for a gas stop...






Gassed up, were headed to Three Way, Arizona.  Not much here.....a little store on the corner where we were able to grab a snack for lunch.  A couple of gas pumps across the road and a yard shed for the office.....we weren't even sure it was open until we saw the young lady come out of the shed.  But it's clear that we're headed to the mountains......

[JCZ]

Soon we pass through Clifton, Ariz. where you will definately want to top off your tank!   Then we ride north right through the MCI Copper & Gold mine....following this route US 191 north, as it winds through the mine I actually thought we must have missed a turn and were on a mine road, instead.  But we perservered.  We went through several tunnels in the mine area, totally surrounded by mine equipment and mine company trucks.....it felt surreal on our two Harleys as we continued on.






To show perspective of size......se the man that just walked out of the shed towards the four tires laying on the ground.....look close!




NOTE:   There are a couple of 1 ton Ford F-350 trucks in this photo, clustered together.



This close up photo of the same shot shows those two 1 ton pickup trucks...






We leave Morenci and the mine and head north on The Devil.  A lot of switch backs, 10, 15 and 20 mile an hour curves all the way up out of the open pit mine and up to the top of the mountain.  Even after we were out of the mine itself, these mountains have a lot of these curves and swithbacks.














We rode through Alpine to Springerville for gas before riding to our Best Western hotel in Eagar, Arizona for the night.  A supermarket next door and Trailriders Restaurant & Bar in the same parking lot.  It was interesting since it was take out only.  Had to call in our order and then walk next door to the bar door of the restaurant and wait our turn in the line of cars pulling up to the bar door.

Oh yes.....and another interesting tip if you're going to do a road trip like this during the coronavirus lockdown......take a roll of toilet paper with you.  Stores and fast food and other restaurants the restrooms are all locked up.  The pit toilets in the national forests and rest areas are open!  Take your own toilet paper if you have to sit down...because somebody stole it all!   


The next morning we take Hwy 260 out of Eagar to Hwy 261 South.  I'm thinking this is about where we were up in the 9,000' range.....above the tree line......check the altimiter app on my cell phone at this location.  Yep 9,056'.

[JCZ]

At the intersection of Hwys 261 and 273 is Crescent Lake and now at 9,111' elevation. 




And just three miles away is Big Lake.....







Heading north on Hwy 273 back to 260 West.....riding through yet another heavy pine forest and mesquite....as we drop back down in elevation

[JCZ]

Going south on Hwy 73 at Hon-Dah, we rode through the Apache Indian Reservations of Whiteriver and Fort Apache (the real one, not the Hollywood one!) and out Hwy 73 back out to US 60 West.  From this junction to the city of Globe, Arizona is an exciting motorcycle ride by itself!





NOTE:  See the hole in the rock on this curve?  My guess is that it was an old miner's shaft before this highway was first built back in the 50's (according to the dedication plaque that was at this stop).














Crossing the Salt River on Hwy. 60 above Glove, Ariz....













Our lunch stop before we head on back to Tucson.  This place was filled to capacity and had a drive through line all the way around.  The outside tables were also closed so we had to eat on our bikes!  This Sonic Drive-in is actually in Miami, Az. which is right next to Globe, Ariz.

[JCZ]

This ride was a little over 600 miles and two days in temps down as low as 38F and as high as 85F.  A great ride and great weather for it!

[geezerglide]

JCZ

This road is also known as The Coronado Trail.

[scotman623]

Thanks for sharing your ride and awesome pictures!!!! I have never ridden anywhere out West on a bike, time to start planning something...

[Jock]

Thanks for the ride report and taking us along the way!

 

[Mr. Warlock]

Looks like a great ride, thanks for sharing!!

[iski]

Great pics, great ride, would be a good one to ride & have it on the list. 

[RoadTrip]

Thanks for the trip report, JC. We rode the Devil’s Highway three years ago and stayed in Alpine, AZ. Love that place!

Next time you are out that way, check out the Very Large Array, the world’s largest radio telescope, near Socorro, NM.

[Smoketown]

Loved the photos!

Lived in Flagstaff, Arizona for 30 years ... Now more homesick than ever!!

Cheers,
(Quietly suffering in) Smoketown

[RivRaptor]

Awesome pics & write-up.  Thanks for posting!

[GregKhougaz]

Jealous! But thanks for posting!

[JCZ]

Thanks for sharing your ride and awesome pictures!!!! I have never ridden anywhere out West on a bike, time to start planning something...

You're kind of new here so you may not have seen my ride reports.  If you get ready to ride anywhere in the west, let me know where you want to go and what you want to see/do and I'll lay out a route for you.  In the mean time, here's a few of my photo ride reports to entice you.......................................


https://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=77699.0