Who Knows Totilla Flats and some roads towards Taos, NM

[Pelagic]

I'm heading up there for a few days escape. Been meaning to leave the heat and traffic of LA behind and this looks like a great time to cross the desert to the east. I've wanted to head up to Taos, Durango, ... but my first night will be in Phoenix. Lot's of choices from there, ... who's been, what's good, why?
thanks!
Jim

[swimmer]

If you've got the time on your trip to Taos to possibly include an overnight somewhere think about taking the 60 east out of PHX down to the 70 and then over to Safford and up to Morenci to hit the 191 up to Alpine and then maybe take the 60 over to I-25 and then up to taos.  By riders with a lot more experience than me the 191 is considered one of the best roads in the country.  Mega twisties and very little traffic for about 70 miles.  On a week day I saw about 10 other vehicles the whole way up the 191.  Besides the good  road if you want the feeling of getting a way there are some nice spots to stop and hear absolutely nothing except nature.  The scenery is great to but it will be getting cold up there this time of year.  Other than that I'd just try to avoid I-40 for as long as possible.

[Jetboy]

Depends on how much time you  have to get from Phoenix to Taos and your preference for great road or scenery.  191 in AZ between Morenci and Springerville is a great road everyone should do at least once but getting there from Phoenix isn't the most interesting ride.  If you are trying to get to Taos in a day from Phoenix try 87 north.  It is great until about 20 miles south of Winslow where it gets a bit boring but you get to stop and stand on the corner in Winslow AZ.  High tail it on I-40 to 191 north from 40 to 160 east and then 64 east to Taos.  64 is a great road for scenery and occasional twists.  That would be a long days ride.  Not much gas on the Reservation in North east AZ.

[QuienSabe]

Tortilla Flats is a nice ride, but relatively short. It only takes a couple of hours to go up and back from anywhere in the Phoenix area. I also recommend avoiding the Tortilla Flat ride on the weekend or else make it an early ride before the traffic gets bad with weekend warriors.

If I were heading to Taos from Phoenix the first leg of my journey would be either up 87 to Payson and across 260 to Show Low, or up 60 through Salt Canyon to Show Low. Both are very good 2 to 3 hour rides. From Show Low I have traveled East on 60 across New Mexico, but it was a unspectacular journey, although the wind along there can make things interesting at time.

[GriffbsXX]

I know Tortilla flats. Pass it anytime I go to the base. Of course, here it's a bar where you can have your butt handed to you for walking in the door at the wrong time. I can give directions and will even go in with you if you're determined though.