Overall Route Rating
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3.45 out of 5 Rider Rating 3.45
41 Reviews

Tortilla Flat

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By 18Bravo (5 McR Points) on Dec 30, 2011

Rider Reviews

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fairbanksdmt
6 McR Points
February 11, 2017
This road simply put is a total waste of time for…
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mudbug63
2 McR Points
June 21, 2018
As of 6/9/18 this road has been resurfaced. Nice…
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Written Directions

Begin at the Old West Highway and Apache Trail in Apache Junction, Arizona. Take Apache Trail Northeast and stay of Apache Trail. The route ends a couple of miles past Tortilla Flat where the pavement turns to a dirt road. If you have an enduro bike, feel free to continue on the dirt road all the way to Roosevelt lake, otherwise turn around and have lunch at Tortilla Flat.

Scenery

This route covers scenic desert landscapes with desert mountains and even Canyon Lake. If you continue on the graded dirt road there are high wall canyons and some of the most beautiful scenic areas you can find in Arizona. But I don't recommend the dirt road for street bikes. HDBIKERRIDER added the following in Nov of 2013: RUNS THRU DESERT CANYONS BEGINNING ON FLAT STRETCH PASS GOLDFIELD MINE GHOST TOWN INTO INCREDIBLE UP AND DOWN TURNS, SWITCHBACKS AND PASS CANYON LAKE TO TORTILLA FLATS.

Drive Enjoyment

The road is curvy with a few switchbacks and one lane bridges. The pavement is decent. The dirt road is only recommended for enduro style bikes. HDBIKERRIDER added the following in Nov of 2013: 4 MILE BEGINNING OF FLAT AND STRAIGHT LEADS TO UN-ENDING SERIES OF HILLY TURNS, SOME SWEEPING AND SOME DEALY HAIRPINS. PAVEMENT GOOD EXCEPT STEEP FALLOFF ON SOFT SHOULDERS ON THE CANYON LANE SIDE. FEW SECTIONS OF GUARDRAILS ON SHOULDER LANE SIDE OF THIS 2-LANER.

Tourism Opportunities

Fun little stage coach stop in Tortilla Flat. The food and ice cream is good. Other than that, nothing but scenery to stop for. HDBIKERRIDER added the following in Nov of 2013: NOTHING TO STOP YOU BUT GOLDFIELD MINE GHOST TOWN AT THE BEGINNING, 1 VISTA POINT, CANYON LAKE MARINA BRIDGE AND TORTILLA FLATS RESTAURANT AT THE END OF THE RIDE.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

HDBIKERRIDER added the following in Nov of 2013: NOT A BEGINNER ROAD!! ABSOLUTELY DO NOT TRY THIS RUN IF IT HAS RAINED WITHIN A DAY OR LOOKS LIKE IT WILL THAT DAY (RAINS ARE TREACHEROUS IN AZ)
 

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Jeremy1998
December 14, 2014
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
It's a washboard in both directions. If you stay to the right side of your lane it's not so bad, but that's also dangerous being close to the mountain or the cliff. I was almost always behind a car going UNDER the speed limit. If you're looking for some fast "twisties" like I was, this isn't it.

I met 2 other riders in the parking lot of the restaurant and we went down together, which was more fun. Going with other people definitely adds to the experience.

I'm honestly not sure if I went all the way or not... I went to the restaurant and turned around, because I thought that's the end of it. But looking at the map now, it looks like that's just the beginning of it. Maybe someone can reply and let me know!
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sohausmc
April 14, 2020
5 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Always a fun ride
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ElJefe
December 8, 2014
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
What looked like a wonderful twisty sportbike road, turned out to be a gravel strewn washboarded teeth rattling ride to Tortilla Flat. Best left for adventurer and enduro bikes. The only saving grace is good scenery and a couple of nice lakes.
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