The Coronado Trail from Phoenix in a Day

[dave6253]

I've been itching for some quality time alone with my first Dream Bike...




and a twisty road.




I had the day off so I jumped at the chance to ride a great road I haven't seen in awhile.

The Coronado Trail US 191, aka The Devil's Highway (Formerly designated US 666)
is a sublime motorcyling road. Tons of curves, scenery and almost no traffic for about 100 miles.

I'll ride the Old West Highway and the Hashknife Pony Express Route
to make it a big loop.




The letters designate the main photo stops.





Let's start bustin' bugs!!! (and anything else that gets in the way.)

[dave6253]

Friday May 6th, 2011

It's gonna be a long day, so an early start is a must.
I'm running east on the US 60 before sunrise.

The Superstition Mountains

Into the Light @ Sunrise

Moving Asphalt

Bird Strike!
I was leaving Gold Canyon at 60 mph when I spotted a medium-sized brown bird coming in from the right.
I wasn't really worried, because they always swerve at the last second, RIGHT?
Well, this one didn't know that rule. It slammed into my right bicep and chest.
I was worried the big 4x4 following was going to run over me when the birdie knocked me off the bike.
It was surprising, the impact wasn't all that hard.
I felt the bird flutter across my left chest and under my left arm.
The next few miles were spent checking myself for feathers, bloods and guts.
Did the bird puncture my chest with his beak and I just can't feel it yet?
Unscathed, I carried on.

I'm surrounded by Sonoran Desert scenery...

So I park the bike for a break and pics.

Saguaro Cactus

This Cardinal was singing,
"Ha Ha! You left your zoom lens on the bike!"

I hike back to the bike to get the zoom lens.
Four tiny bright yellow birdies perform a taunting fly-by before I can change lenses.

I hike back into the desert and didn't see another bird.

The Saguaros are Blooming.
It's hard to get close to a Saguaro bloom because they are so high.

However, I found one with a nearby enbankment and shot this with the zoom.

I jump back on the bike and spent the rest of the morning
with the sun in my eyes.

[dave6253]

Queen Creek Bridge





Queen Creek Tunnel




In




Out





Into the Blinding Sun















I rolled through the Historic Downtown of Globe looking for something to shoot.
I got lost trying to make it back to the highway.


It was a long boring ride across the San Carlos Apache Reservation.

Stopped for a late breakfast and to reconstitute the bugs in Safford.




Finally, The Coronado Trail

[dave6253]

I found the old downtown of Clifton just off the highway.





Empty Streets






------------































Up the Hill Towards Morenci










Looking Back at Clifton

[dave6253]

Hi Guys! My name is April. I'm a 2002 Aprilia RST 1000 Futura. Dave has owned me since I was born in Noale, Italy.
My 998cc V-Twin soul was created in Austria.

I started this little trip with lot's of experience.

I used to think Dave would always love me, but ever since he brought that ugly orange beast home
things just aren't the same. You should see those two! They go off together for days
and always return dirty and smelly. I rarely even make the pages of advrider anymore.
To make matters worse, Dave got himself a fancy motorcycle lift. He then let me fall off!
It took months before he pieced me back together!
But things are looking up! Dave just let me lean into the curves of The Coronado Trail
and he promises to take me out to my favorite California Highways this summer.

I hope you enjoy our day-trip. I'll let Dave tell you the story.

April Ia

[Wolfgang55]

OK, got to say that was good.
Even my blonde sleep over liked it & wants to do that ride....camera nut she is.

[larryboy]

Nice one, Dave!!

I tried really hard to buy one of those new. I missed a new orange one for $7,999 and the second one they had got bumped to $14,999 since they claimed it was the last new one in California.

[thegraydog]

Guys. Dave hasn't even stopped for coffee yet.

Stunning photography....

[dave6253]

Originally Posted by Wolfgang55

OK, got to say that was good.
Even my blonde sleep over liked it & wants to do that ride....camera nut she is.

I see a hot young blonde in bed with a dirty old man in a room lit by the dim glow of a laptop. Thanks for the compliment. It's not over yet.

Originally Posted by larryboy

Nice one, Dave!!

I tried really hard to buy one of those new. I missed a new orange one for $7,999 and the second one they had got bumped to $14,999 since they claimed it was the last new one in California.

Hi Rob. That would've been a killer deal. Too bad you missed it. IMHO there hasn't been a better
SPORT-tourer built, ever. Your state has the best roads in the World for a long distance sport bike.
You can still find low mileage used ones out there for good prices. Mine will never be for sale.

Originally Posted by thegraydog

Guys. Dave hasn't even stopped for coffee yet.

Stunning photography....

Thanks thegraydog. I had no time for coffee. I did stop 3 times for fuel, twice for food, and 6 times for photo breaks.

[dave6253]

We raced a BIG TRUCK





and we won!









The highway runs right through mine operations.

[dave6253]

The Largest Open Pit Mine in the USA










The Second Largest in the World





It's busy down there. I chatted with a mine employee who was sitting in a 4x4 truck at the overlook.
She was in charge of all air quality issues for the entire mine. She has over 80 miles of roads
to drive around the mine property.





I think this is a Turkey Vulture?





US 191

[dave6253]

It's a long ride through the mine.





For some perspective. Here is a satelite image of the mine. From Clifton (Marker C) to the Overlook (Marker D)
it is 10.6 miles!

[dave6253]

"Danger! Blasting Area Ahead. Turn Off All 2-Way Radios and Cell Phones."

Oops! Did I do that?

[BlueSkyGuy]

dog eared for a future ride thanks for posting and your pictures are great.

[dave6253]

Thanks BlueSkyGuy. I've reported on rides to this area before. Check the link in my signature for more route planning ideas.