Arizona bound ADV trip, need advice

~TABASCO~

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Hey guys,

Looking to head over to Arizona the first week of October from Texas. Can anyone give us some advice on good dirt roads, great day trip, Etc.... Open to suggestions. We will probably stop by Tombstone / Sedona and go up north to Moki Dugway in UT. Because its late in the season we are thinking CO might have snow or we might get caught in some pretty cold weather so that's probably off the table...

Anyhow, we just want to get on the bikes and are pretty open to some cool off road / back roads.... We will be camping the whole time, we are not trailering, and we are totally open to camping out in the bad lands or the side of a dirt road, no problem.

Thanks ~ Jaxon
 

Blind Squirrel

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Not dirt, but a great twisty, scenic road is route 66 between Kingman and Golden Shores. Oatman is in the middle of them.

If you want some easy dirt, turn right at Oatman onto Silver Creek road and head to Bullhead City.
 

tomatocity

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eemsreno

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I'm trying to get out of town about the first of next month also,
I was wanting to make it to Montana but if it's to cold might be heading to the 4 corners area.
Have to watch the weather.
 

~TABASCO~

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eemsreno said:
I'm trying to get out of town about the first of next month also,
I was wanting to make it to Montana but if it's to cold might be heading to the 4 corners area.
Have to watch the weather.

No, not yet... I've been to the four corners and its a one-timer for me... Its way out in the boon docks but fun ! We are going to just head west, we might just stay down near the border and go ride... I just want to go ride ! LOL
 

Sierra1

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The road to the north rim of the grand canyon is nice, and then you can take the road, 89A, north into Utah. But the road, 89, north out of Flagstaff kinda sucks. And there are plenty of dirt/gravel roads around Lake Powell, but they don't go anywhere....they're just fun and scenic.
 

~TABASCO~

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Thank you to everyone with the suggestions. Please keep posting more. We are taking in all this info.
Jaxon
 

Buelligan

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I don't think you have to worry about any snow in October, rain, and colder temps maybe, but not snow ::001::
You could always try some of the central sections of the AZBDR: http://ridebdr.com/AZBDR
This takes you up onto the Mogollon rim, which is gorgeous, in the forests, and some of the higher elevations in Arizona.
For some paved excitement, you might want to try the Devils Highway, former route 666 from Morenci to Alpine, AZ. This twisty, curvy, backroad sees little travel, changes elevation and scenery, and reward you with gorgeous views. it is paved.
Depending on the dates, I could probably zip out and meet you for some of the riding ;)
 

mebgardner

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So, I saw your request for "down by the border." I ride there, and live / work in Tucson AZ.

So, you "just want to ride." OK, but you do not mention how much of a mix of street / dirt you want.

The "Devils Highway" (666) has been re-numbered. It is paved, yes, but it traverses over three (count'em: Three) mountain *ranges*. Going south to north, the road is narrow, twisty, and un-guarded by guardrail for a lot of the way. It is about 20-25 MPH, max., for many hours of riding. Yes, its very slow, and with many many steep drop-offs. Not a road for the timid. Take Your Time...

The AZBDR is also a choice. If you take this, *stay out* of Cherry Creek. It's practically impassable for these size cycles, go around it, bypass it, by taking the dirt road route through Young AZ. The AZBDR will likely put you into snow as you go north into the "Mogollon Rim" country, proceeding to Flagstaff and environs north of that.

There is a good dirt road that traverses east / west along the border fence, starting about from Montezuma's Pass, and ending about Patgonia. It's very nice, scenic, sometimes sandy, sometimes muddy, always pretty.

Have fun!


Edit:

I thought about this some more, and now give this advice: The AZBDR is a poor route choice for these size cycles. That route is more suited to 650 size and below. If you decide to do this on a S10, you will struggle mightily.
 

bob dirt

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Dirt roads in Arizona...we have a ton of them. My favorite, because it's out my back door....Go the back way to Prescott via Wickenburg. Go up Yarnell hill and eat breakfast in Yarnell. Ride into Prescott via Wilhoit (153 twisties in the pines). Take the Senator Hwy (dirt) to Crown King (bar/grille) in the mountains on a dirt road. Leave CK and head through Bumblebee or take the left fork an go to Mayer. Lots off dirt roads in that entire area. There's roads through Monument Valley. Moki Dugway is only 3 miles long. Cool pics from the top though. Apache trail is a good ride. It goes from Apache Junction to Roosevelt lake. Lots off day riding all over the Bradshaw mountains. I
 

~TABASCO~

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To everyone that has posted, THANK YOU.... Really appreciate it... Keep all the info coming !!
 

SilverBullet

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How many days you planning? Looking for any West Tex dirt or bee-lining it out of state? I travel this area often and have plenty of dirt detours to break up the long pavement miles from Houston to Tucson.

Sent from my SM-G860P using Tapatalk
 

AVGeek

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Just north of Phoenix, and not too far from the Crown King roads bob dirt posted are Seven Springs and Bloody Basin roads, both dirt. They're low enough in elevation that October is a good time to ride them. I would suggest looping north from Cave Creek for these, as some of the climbs become gnarly descents heading south. There are also a ton of trails out near Lake Pleasant, but other than Castle Hot Springs road, these are more suited to smaller MX bikes.
 

~TABASCO~

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SilverBullet said:
How many days you planning? Looking for any West Tex dirt or bee-lining it out of state? I travel this area often and have plenty of dirt detours to break up the long pavement miles from Houston to Tucson.

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We are blasting to AZ, so we can get started on the 'fun-ride'.... We have ridden the "Lubbock loop" before and that was a blast out in West Texas.
 

Mellow

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I've done this route, give or take, the last couple years:


That part of southern NM and into AZ and up 191 are priceless.. the Gila and Lincoln Nat'l forests are INCREDIBLE...

If you need to camp near Moki Dugway, Goosnecks State Park is just right there and definitely worth it.



 

~TABASCO~

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Thanks Mellow,

yep, I've been to Gooseneck... What a great place out there !!
 

mebgardner

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Depending on whether or not you decide to try that borderline ride I suggested a few back, starting about in Sierra Vista at Montezuma Pass...

If you're around those parts, I can also highly recommend the area around Arivaca AZ.

Specifically, Ruby Road from Pena Blanca Lake to Arivaca (rt 289 @ I19 just north of Nogales AZ)

The entire road is big bike friendly dirt road, and you will have no problem negotiating it with an S10.

Around the Montana Mountain area of it, you will swear that somehow you were airlifted to the Grand Canyon. Yeah, it's like that, back there.

If you're in that area, it would be a shame to miss it. Plan on a lunch at the Arivaca cantina. good brew, good bar food, an outdoor patio, and a real AZ experience.

The road from Arivaca back to the I19 freeway, is good paved 2-lane road.
 

~TABASCO~

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THANK YOU for the info !! appreciate it !
 

loosetravlr

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Lots of good dirt roads around : Jerome to Williams through the forest. If near Williams, a ride up to the Bill Williams fire lookout......360 view that is awesome! .also road 300 on top of the Mogollon Rim. I am camping in the woods near Williams 'til Oct 2nd if yur up this way. Enjoy, Dave
 
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