Overall Route Rating
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4.75 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.75
65 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Mar 31, 2003

Rider Reviews

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Guest
October 6, 2009
Actually the road begins in Safford and has nice…
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Guest
March 11, 2010
While attending the 100 year HD Anniversary in…
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Written Directions

The way the road is described is by starting at Clifton, AZ and ending in Eagar, AZ. Of course you can reverse the direction if you like. Just look for Clifton and Eagar on the New Mexico/Arizona border which are about 200 miles east of Phoenix, AZ and take AZ Road 191.

Scenery

This road brings you to a whole new world in Arizona. Its located in the central eastern part of Arizona and parallels the New Mexico border. To find it on the map, just look for the towns of Eagar (home of the largest stand of pine trees in the US) and Clifton along the Arizona/New Mexico border. The towns are connected by Arizona road 191. You'll start out in a desert environment and end up passing through an Alpine paradise. It is LOADED with twists and turns and even though its in a remote section of Arizona, its well worth the trip. The road starts out in a desert setting near Clifton, AZ ... an old copper mining town. From there heading north and up in elevation, you can stop at a scenic overlook that will give you a look at the world's largest open-pit copper mines. The road will then take you through a canyon as the road hugs some cliffs and continues to dramatically climb (BE CAREFUL). What makes this road so amazing is the big change in scenery you'll see between the start and the finish. The diversity of landscape is due to the change in elevation you'll cover - a 5,000 feet difference from start to finish. You'll start out seeing some nice desert landscapes and then move on into some interesting canyons. You'll see the world's largest open pit copper mine and pass by one of the highest peaks in AZ - Escudilla Mountain (10,800 ft). You'll also see huge pine and aspen forests and some tranquil little meadows as you pass next to the White Mountains and through the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. "This was taken at Hannagan Meadow." Update from 1rock1 on 6/13/12: The ride starts at 7500 feet elevation and drops to the 2500 foot level. The drive is full of wildlife, hairpin turns, shear cliffs, dramatic views and finishes with a drive through an open pit copper mine. There is so much metal in the earth the mountains are alive with rust colors making the scenic views some of the best blending White clouds, Blue skies, and the green pines. There are no services between the two cities so fill up in Alpine. Traveling south gives the best views as you are looking out over the Valley. Expect to be traveling for nearly 4 hours without stops as there are nearly 1200 hairpin turns of no more the 15 MPH on this incredible drive.

Drive Enjoyment

A true 5-star road for motorcycles. They say there are 427 curves on AZ Road 191 between Clifton and Alpine. The road also has some breathtaking ascents along the way that will keep your engine revving. The most dramatic elevation changes are near the town of Morenci, AZ. In fact, the speed of traffic will slow down to just 10 MPH at certain points!



"You all missed the point if you just did half. Try starting in Eager, then heading down 180 then cut across towards Clifton-Morenci on 78 then go back up 191. Round trip is 270 miles and will take about 12 hours to do it. Partly because you of the twisties and partly because you will be stopping at every wide spot to take pictures! Go to www.QuickThrottle.com and check out our Biker Gallery for the Rt 666 ride (this used to be hwy 666)". Update from 1rock1 on 6/13/12: 1200 Hairpin turns, no shoulders and occasional dirt washed across roads from any recent storms that may have passed through.

Tourism Opportunities

There is a lot of camping and hiking trails along the way. You can also take a half mile hike to the Rose Peak watch tower and get a great view of the surrounding landscape. There are many pullouts and look out points that you'll want to have a camera ready for. DON'T MISS the Mogollon Rim. Update from 1rock1 on 6/13/12: Pine is a small town with a view small restaurants and you will pass through Hannigan Meadows that is a great picnic spot. The town of Morenci has a strong Hispanic flavor and has many wonderful restaurants from this ethnicity. It is also Copper mining town and arrangements can be made for a tour of the mine. There is not much along the way except tremendous views of BIG COUNTRY.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

Update from 1rock1 on 6/13/12: This is not a ride for a beginner and do not allow the scenery to take your eyes off the road. Make many stops along the way to take pictures and to take in the sights. - View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

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MCR Contributor
August 17, 2011
1039 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
South to North, starting on Morenci, you get to experience 525 twisty turns and breathtaking panoramic views-all within 70 miles! We had 14 people and 11 bikes in all, ranging from semi-experienced to riders that were almost born on bikes... We stopped along the way at Hannagan Meadow Lodge, where the lodge rooms were decorated in different themes, there's even a honeymoon suite. The next day, we continued on to Alpine, but the road from Morenci to the lodge is so AMAZING! I even got a picture of a deer that we stopped and had a conversation with (almost) before she ran away. This has to be one of the most wonderful rides I've ever been on! And nuts to those that don't want to call it the Devil's highway... just because it used to be called Highway 666. I got my pin that says I rode the Devil's Highway, you can too!

There are no 'amenities' like a roadside table, leave those to the 'Interstaters'... There are, however places to pull over and look out over mountains, stretch, grab your picnic, talk to deer, but there is a lodge along the way, Hannagan Meadows Lodge. Google it... Oh yah, gas up before you leave Morenci, and take it easy, because there are no gas stations until you get to Alpine!

Make sure you call for road conditions before you head out on this trek! And make sure you get your "I rode the Devil's Highway" pin or key-chain.
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6 riders found this road review useful
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Guest
January 4, 2011
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Eagerly awaited this ride, after first attempt was aborted by snow at Easter 2008. Took north to south route in September 2009 and was not dissappointed. Beautiful scenery, twisties go on forever, huge elevation change. Take extreme care on the bends though, especially on a cruiser. Harley rider 5mins ahead of me misjudged the bend and flew into abyss. Rider was okay, bike probably took a while to retrieve. Highly recommended, but be careful, plan for time, gas and weather. Next time will take northbound route.
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6 riders found this road review useful
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JonB52
June 3, 2013
39 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
Wow! Great ride! I rode the three sisters 2 months ago and enjoyed this road even more. Lots and lots of twisties with awesome views around every corner. The drop offs are a bit scarey so be careful and keep your eyes on the road! Definately worth traveling to this part of Arizona.
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5 riders found this road review useful