New Mexico to Arizona day trip

[JamiePT]

Did you go up The Coronado Trail, which is Hwy 191, which some folks call the Devil's Highway? It starts only about 30 miles from Duncan and is 80 or 90 miles of switchbacks, twisties, and hairpin curves? It starts in a desert environment and ends up in the cool pines at close to 10,000 ft. An awesome ride not to be missed if you are in the area.

We did a little of it. Like I said my next trip is gona be pie town to 191

 

[Azisbest]

Oops I did not see that. By the way, I would highly recommend taking 191 from south to north. Your brakes will thank you.

 

[JamiePT]

Oops I did not see that. By the way, I would highly recommend taking 191 from south to north. Your brakes will thank you.

Thanks . That is smart. I never thought of that

 

[Azisbest]

Thanks . That is smart. I never thought of that

Trust me, it is a much more enjoyable trip going south to north. I will for sure be doing that trip sometime this summer.

 

[Ygransom]

191 was originally 666, but it got renumbered for some reason.

 

[Azisbest]

191 was originally 666, but it got renumbered for some reason.

Two reasons, first they kept stealing the 666 signs and second it now conforms to the national highway numbering system.

 

[Ygransom]

Yeap, knew that. The old number is why it's called the Devils highway.

 

[Azisbest]

Yeap, knew that. The old number is why it's called the Devils highway.

Its funny, I was born in a town right at the start of the ride when it was 666 and nobody I know of that lived there called it the "Devils Highway". The locals called it either the "Coronado Trail" or usually just "The Trail". As in "Are you going up The Trail this weekend?"

 

[breeze]

191 was originally 666, but it got renumbered for some reason.

666 was renamed 491 gallup to shiprock and beyond

 

[elcanaco]

666 was renamed 491 gallup to shiprock and beyond

Although I'm only a 'winter visitor' to Mesa, AZ (I like the term 'snowbird' better). the Coronado Trail is my favourite ride in AZ and I do it every year, sometimes twice. I did it just 3 weeks ago on the Gold Wing I keep here in Mesa. Another reason to do it south to north is the sun. Early to afternoon going south, it can REALLY be blinding (though more in the summer), less so with it mostly at your back going north. Make sure you check the weather conditions. Had a buddy visiting last year and we did the Trail a little 'too' late in November. They had a dump of snow 2 days before we rode it. Managed to ride upright through a lot of black ice, etc. when just a few miles from Alpine we rounded a corner and there was snow still covering the road for 50 feet and about 3-4 inches deep. I had let him lead to enjoy the scenery more. He did a tank slapper in the snow and went down spinning still holding onto the bars of his HD Ultra. I managed to avoid him and his bike, and 'just' went off the high side of the road. Only my front wheel was over the shoulder. Extremely little damage to either bike. I jumped off my GW that was still vertical to help him get his Ultra up, in the snow. We hadn't seen traffic for an hour. As we're wheeling his bike to the shoulder, around the corner comes a big Dodge Ram truck and he's on his horn thinking we're goofing off, taking photos or something. He manages to stop and with the help of himself and his 2 buddies in his truck, we manage to pull my Gold Wing back onto the road (the electric reverse does NOT work in the snow, bike nose down). My buddy was soaked from going down in the snow and the hot coffee as the Bear Wallow Cafe in Alpine was especially good that day!!!