US 666 ride (AZ)

A ride down US 666 (aka 191) is planned for the Memorial day weekend, May 24-26, 1997. I read a comment describing the road as 1100 curves in 95 miles, driving hard, it's difficult to use gears higher than third. This stretch of the Devils Highway is distant enough from Phoenix and Alburquerque, to make it The road less traveled.

This trip encompasses terrain from the Arizona desert sub clime, to spruce and ponderosa pine forests. We start at 1600 feet, and pass through 9000 feet on our way through Hannagan Meadow. The majority of the route will be above 4000 feet, and is characterized by scrub junipers, ponderosa pine, grasses, and a variety cactii.

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Route is as follows:

Day 1
24-May Saturday 8:00 AM	Leave Kelly's Kawasaki in Mesa, on AZ 87 towards Payson, 81 mi. At Payson, turn on AZ 260 and 60 towards Springerville, 148 mi. Turn south on US 666 towards Alpine (last chance gas!), 27 mi. First night near Hannigan Meadow (CG or Lodge), 20 mi.
Miles first day = 276

Day 2
25-May
Sunday Leave Hannigan Meadow, south on 666. This is it! 84 mi.
At Guthrie, east on 78 to Mule Creek, 36 mi.
N to Glenwood, gas and lunch (small town), 18 mi.
At junction of US 180, W to Alpine, lunch? 53 mi.
Do 666 again, again, again... - or-
E on NM 12, to US 60, to LARGE radio telescope array
W on US 60, to US 12, S. to US 180, then to Alpine and Hannagan. 261 mi.

Miles second day = 191+, or 452

Day 3
26-May
Monday North towards Springerville, 47 mi.
West on AZ 260 towards McNary, 47 mi.
South on 73 through San Carlos reservation, 49 mi.
South on US 60 through the Salt River canyon, to Globe, 66 mi.
West on US 60 to Mesa, 74 mi.

Miles last day = 283
Total miles from/to Mesa = 750 to 1011

Day 2
25-May Sunday	Leave Hannigan Meadow, south on 666. This is it! 84 mi. At Guthrie, east on 78 to Mule Creek, 36 mi. N to Glenwood, gas and lunch (small town), 18 mi. At junction of US 180, W to Alpine, lunch? 53 mi. Do 666 again, again, again... - or- E on NM 12, to US 60, to LARGE radio telescope array W on US 60, to US 12, S. to US 180, then to Alpine and Hannagan. 261 mi.
Miles second day = 191+, or 452

Day 3
26-May Monday	North towards Springerville, 47 mi. West on AZ 260 towards McNary, 47 mi. South on 73 through San Carlos reservation, 49 mi. South on US 60 through the Salt River canyon, to Globe, 66 mi. West on US 60 to Mesa, 74 mi.
Miles last day = 283 Total miles from/to Mesa = 750 to 1011

Expect near freezing overnight temps around Hannagan Meadow, the elevation is near 9100 feet.
It has snowed in July.
The campgrounds at this elevation officially open in June.
The weather is cold within a 50 mile radius of Hannagan, cool West of a line from Payson to Clifton, and warm over the balance of the trip (at least by AZ standards!) ie. the expected high in the lower desert areas should be in the high 90's, around Hannagan in the low 70's

Lodging in Alpine

Sportsman's Lodge, Frank and Phyllis Barnes, 520-339-4576
1 dbl. bed $30, 2 dbl beds $35. Frank is a sport touring rider also.
Mountain Hi Lodge, Herb and Joan Van Slyke, 520-339-4311
30 units, kitchenettes, no prices. Also runs the only gas station in town
Hannagan Meadow Lodge, 800-547-1416, 520-339-4370
B & B, can be expensive. Lodge and dining under construction Mar. 23, 1996
Accommodations can also be made at the Talwiwi Lodge, a very nice lodge in Nutrioso, or motels in Springerville.
There are 2 USFS (Apache-Sitgreaves) campgrounds within 20 miles of Hannagan, as well as numerous DIY sites.
Water is a sparse commodity in the desert, so refill in Alpine or Hannigan.

Drop me a note if you plan on attending: rickh@concours.org

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