Gettin' wet on the Coronado Trail

[cactusjack]

I spent the weekend on an overnight trip on the Coronado Trail. The Coronado Trail is the route the great explorer Coronado took in search of the legendary "Seven Cities of Cibola". It's also known as US HWY 191. I had never been to this part of the state before and it's famous as one of the best rides in AZ.

Under very cloudy skies, we headed east from the Phoenix area on US 60. There were about 15 bikes and 20 people on this ride. Some of the riders are people I work with, others were part of an organized riding group I belong to. US 60 takes you out of the Valley of the Sun and into mining country. We stopped in Superior for breakfast at the Buckboard City Cafe. We sat at two tables. One table had eaten and paid their tab while the other was still waiting for their food. Poor service.

We stopped in Globe, about 60 miles from the valley for fuel. We then took Hwy 70 through San Carlos to the town of Safford, about 80 miles further east. For most of the ride we had been getting hit by the odd raindrop, but nothing serious until about 20 miles past San Carlos, where we suited up with rain gear. We stopped for fuel in Safford and took Hwy 191, which turns north. The rain had quit by now.

Suiting up outside San Carlos:


From where we joined Hwy 191 just south of Safford the highway is absolutely straight for as far as the eye can see. We started to climb into the mountains and through the town of Clifton and old mining town, and Morenci, home to one of the largest open pit copper mines in the world. The mine complex is enormous and can be seen from both sides of the highway, as you drive through it.

Here's a picture from a view area:


After Morenci we really started climbing. There are 90 miles of ups, downs, and twisties between Morenci and Alpine. You go over 3 mountain passes, 7400 ft, 8300 ft, and 9200 ft. We rode to within 9 miles of the New Mexico border. For most of this stretch we were above the cloud line and distant visibility was almost non-existent. It was raining on and off for most of this stretch. The worst weather came after the 9200 foot pass. It started raining very heavily and even in August, snow is possible at these altitudes. Fortunately it wasn't cold enough to snow. Just as we pulled into a gas station (the only gas station) in Alpine, a huge, fast moving storm front came tearing through the area. We filled up and decided to eat dinner and maybe the storm would pass by the time we were done. It did, but because of the clouds, it was nearly dark at 5:00 pm. We left the Alpine Grill at 6:30 and still had 70 miles to our destination in Pinetop. We rode the 70 miles in the dark on wet roads and sprinkles here and there.

We made it to Pinetop about 8:30 and went to our respective hotels to check in. I had stayed pretty dry, but my hands were wet and cold. I walked down the street to a convenience store and bought some sodas and something to snack on and went back to my room.

This morning, I got up early and was thrilled to see blue skies, sun, and few clouds in the area. Pinetop is at 6700' in a large valley filled with pine trees and meadows. I cleaned my bike up, went on a ride around the area to look around a bit, then met up with my friends from work for breakfast. We were taking a different route back than the rest of the group.

Here's White Mountain Rd in Pinetop:


Here's our bikes parked as we went to eat breakfast:


I didn't have the opportunity to take as many pictures as I'd like. My friend's girlfriend (that's her standing behind the Road Glide in the picture above) took dozens of pictures of the stretch between Morenci and Alpine and I'll post some as soon as she makes them available. for now, these will have to do.

It was a great ride through some of the most beautiful country in AZ. It was almost like being back in the Black Hills, except the mountains are a lot bigger. I'd like to do it again, without the rain sometime.

I almost forgot - total mileage for the weekend was 586.3, with 357.4 of those on Saturday. My car tire drew some interest from the other riders. Most were curious about it, didn't hear any negative comments from anyone.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Sounds like you had a wonderful ride, even with the rain. Wish I could have been there and seen all the great scenery. I am only familiar with the area of Sierra Vista. I was out in Arizona in '89 but had driven out in my '88 Olds Cutlass. I enjoyed the two months I spent out there. I love the west. I remember riding through in an 18 wheeler in '77 and we ran into a rainstorm. When it does rain in Arizona it really does some raining. And that soil or sand whatever it is doesn absorb all that water very quickly either. Anyway, glad you had a great trip.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by AlabamaNomadRider

Sounds like you had a wonderful ride, even with the rain. Wish I could have been there and seen all the great scenery. I am only familiar with the area of Sierra Vista. I was out in Arizona in '89 but had driven out in my '88 Olds Cutlass. I enjoyed the two months I spent out there. I love the west. I remember riding through in an 18 wheeler in '77 and we ran into a rainstorm. When it does rain in Arizona it really does some raining. And that soil or sand whatever it is doesn absorb all that water very quickly either. Anyway, glad you had a great trip.

Thanks. Sierra Vista isn't quite the best Arizona has to offer. It's a very scenic, diverse state as I am finding out.

[trip]

Very nice trip CJ.....looks like you guys had fun.

[schoeney]

CJ...You might as well move up here! All that rain sucks.

Thanks for sharing.

[waterman]

Looks like a good time CJ. Nice roads with good company.

[Cajunrider]

Sounds like beautiful territory. Thanks for sharing Scott.

[skeeter]

Nice report and nice pics. Thanks for sharing.