Went for a spin today

[cactusjack]

Wasn't able to ride much last week, since we had a major storm front move through the desert and it rained nearly every day. It was nice and sunny today, so I rode out Northeast of Mesa to see the snow on the mountain peaks. The snow level was down to about 5000', and snow on these peaks is somewhat rare. It will probably be gone in a few days, so I snapped some pictures. I was on Usery Pass Highway, just South of the Bush Highway when I took these:



The Town of Rio Verde is in the distance, with the McDowell Mtns in the background:


This is the Four Peaks area, normally, you'd see the four peaks, but they were socked in with cloud cover today:


And just to prove I was really there:

[Cajunrider]

Those are great pictures Scott. Arizona is one of the top shelf areas that Darlene and I want to visit. I've always been a history nut and have been wanting to visit the old western towns like Tombstone and Tuscon and the Apache Indian Reservations. We have to hit the Grand Canyon also. What months would you say are the best times for touring the southern and northeastern areas of your state?

[fish]

I've been in Arizona in august years ago. I was amazed at the temp difference between Flagstaff and Phoenix. I remember seeing a roadside sign that said deer crossing next 75 miles. Sure are nice pictures.

[nomad561]

Nice pics. Looks like is was a great day for a ride. I'm working on a trip to Arizona in June so maybe I can see some of that pretty country too.

[cactusjack]

The best time to visit here is anytime other than June through September. It will be 100 degrees plus every day during that time. There is usually a 3-week period where it is over 110 every day.

I'm speaking about the desert valleys: Phoenix, Tucson, even Prescott and Sedona are nearly as hot. The Colorado River basin cities; Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, Laughlin NV, and Parker are usually hotter since they are several hundred feet closer to sea level. Flagstaff is usually 15-20 degrees cooler than Phoenix and the White Mountain towns of Showlow, Pinetop, Heber, and Overgaard are very pleasant during the summer months.

90% of the state's population is in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. The rest of the state is sparsely populated and there can be considerable distance between towns.

There is a lot of good riding here and it's a very scenic place, especially if you're from the areas of the US where it's mostly flat. Some of the most scenic places are also the most desolate. The Navajo Nation is very scenic, and their land includes Monument Valley, but it's also some of the most desolate, God-forsaken real estate you'll ever see.

The key to riding in this region is get started early (sunrise) and finish up in the early afternoon, before the real heat sets in. Drink lots and lots of water, and don't over expose yourself to the sun.

On our return trip from Custer last year, BD and I stayed in Hurricane UT, which is very near Zion National Park. The next morning, he headed back to L.A. on I-15 and I took a very scenic route through Colorado City, Fredonia, Jacob Lake and across Navajo Bridge which crosses the Colorado River at what is pretty much the eastern end of the Grand Canyon. It was some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen.

[blowndodge]

Yea, my ride home back through Vegas to Long Beach wasn't the most scenic ride of my life!

I was going to ride yesterday as it was sunny and 60 but the football games kept me close to the TV. Expecting another major storm Tuesday!

Our San Berdo mountains are covered in snow!!!! 10 feet fell on our local mountains which are from 5-11K feet of elevation. Won't be able to ride up there anytime soon!

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

Yea, my ride home back through Vegas to Long Beach wasn't the most scenic ride of my life!

I was going to ride yesterday as it was sunny and 60 but the football games kept me close to the TV. Expecting another major storm Tuesday!

Our San Berdo mountains are covered in snow!!!! 10 feet fell on our local mountains which are from 5-11K feet of elevation. Won't be able to ride up there anytime soon!

Did Big Bear get a lot of snow?

[Sin City Stan]

Hi CJ,

I enjoyed the snow on the mountains pictures. I call it a civilized snow. About a 1000' above us it's white virtually all the way around Las Vegas. Looks great but I don't have to deal with it.

It will be gone in a week or so and only Mt. Charelston (almost 12000') will be snow capped. More rain in the Valley tomorrow though.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Sin City Stan

Hi CJ,

I enjoyed the snow on the mountains pictures. I call it a civilized snow. About a 1000' above us it's white virtually all the way around Las Vegas. Looks great but I don't have to deal with it.

It will be gone in a week or so and only Mt. Charelston (almost 12000') will be snow capped. More rain in the Valley tomorrow though.

we're supposed to get more rain on Wednesday. I work from home that day, so I couldn't care less.

[blowndodge]

Tons of snow CJ... they are only letting residents up right now...!! must have 4 wheel drive and carry chains....

[delivery58]

CJ, I told you I would bring some crap weather with me from Idaho when I visited Arizona last week ( I think I over did it)!!! I rented a car Sat, Sun, Mon. and yesterday I also drove up the Bush Hwy, past Saquaro Lake to Hwy 87. Then drove up to Payson and threw snowballs at No Trespassing Signs at the turn around at Tonto Natural Bridge S.P. I also got some nice pics of the Four Peaks... I try and post a few soon. Now come visit North Idaho, and bring some AZ weather with ya! P.S. Your bikes looking pretty nice in the clear, cool air...

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

Yea, my ride home back through Vegas to Long Beach wasn't the most scenic ride of my life!

I was going to ride yesterday as it was sunny and 60 but the football games kept me close to the TV. Expecting another major storm Tuesday!

Our San Berdo mountains are covered in snow!!!! 10 feet fell on our local mountains which are from 5-11K feet of elevation. Won't be able to ride up there anytime soon!

Wow....I rode all through those San Berdo mountains when I was down there for the Western Regional Baseball Tournament last August. They were a pleasure to ride for sure! I rode up around Big Bear Lake and some of the ski areas. I especially enjoyed the Angeles Crest Hwy. I was wondering at the time how much snow they really get....

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by delivery58

CJ, I told you I would bring some crap weather with me from Idaho when I visited Arizona last week ( I think I over did it)!!! I rented a car Sat, Sun, Mon. and yesterday I also drove up the Bush Hwy, past Saquaro Lake to Hwy 87. Then drove up to Payson and threw snowballs at No Trespassing Signs at the turn around at Tonto Natural Bridge S.P. I also got some nice pics of the Four Peaks... I try and post a few soon. Now come visit North Idaho, and bring some AZ weather with ya! P.S. Your bikes looking pretty nice in the clear, cool air...

Having a lot of family in the SE Idaho area, I spent a considerable amount of time up there as a kid. My folks had a cabin in Island Park, near the Henrys Fork of the Snake River. My wife has a lot of family in the Boise area, so we've spent some time in the western part of the state. I have never been to northern Idaho, although I'd like to visit there sometime.

[1600bluekaw]

Great pics. Wife just returned from Green Valley & Sierra Vista area, she was out there visiting family for a week. The two of us will be going back in 2011. Arizona is the state where I have always had the desire to spend my retirement. After she was there a week sounds like we may be relocating out there sooner than retirement. I have one more son to graduate from high school then we will be moving. That will be 2013. Can't wait.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Great pictures CJ. I sure miss being out west. Lived at Fort Huachuca just out of Sierra Vista for a couple of months. Also lived in Colorado Springs, CO for just under three years. You just can't beat the western country.