Worthwhile Detours Northern AZ

[Medic09]

I need to make good time to California next month, so I'm taking I-40 straight across from Albuquerque.  On the way back I can afford to take my time for a day or so before I have to get back to work.  I see on the map scenic routes looping up north out of Kingman (66) and again north out of Flagstaff (180-64-89).  Barring an active snowstorm, how are those roads in winter?  I expect to ride my Tiger, unless I'm snowed in the day I leave Santa Fe.  Am I better off heading south to I-10, and looking for a scenic loop off there?  That would lengthen my ride home a bit more than I wanted, but I may have to do it anyway depending on the weather.

All insights appreciated!  Thanks!

[WBill]

Last week, the I40 was closed between Kingman and Winslow for several hours on a couple of days, and the I17 between flafgstaff and Camp Verde was closed, as well.  While the Interstates are now clear for four-wheel + conveyances, we have several feet of snow on the ground, black ice patches in the shade, and who knows what it'll be like next month.  Some of the back roads are still closed as I write.  

My moto is stuck in the garage, and It doesn't look like I'll be riding before next weekend, if that soon.  "They" are calling for another storm around next Thursday, but predicting the weather around here is pretty hit and miss.  Check weather.com for up to date profiles.

Maybe you ought to take the southern I10 (BTW: one of the most dangerous stretches in the land) option in February and be alert for high winds and flash floods.  

Don't you have snow in Albuq?  WBill

[Medic09]

Hey Bill, I'm in Santa Fe.  Yes we do have snow, but the roads often melt out so I can ride.  We just had a spell of snow and ice on the roads melt out, then got another storm the other day.  I'll be watching the weather leading up to my trip, but I figure I'd ask ahead of time.  Sounds like any scenic northern routes may have to wait until warmer weather, eh?

[DangerMoney]

AZ road conditions:

http://www.az511.com/hcrsweb/hcrsweb.jsp

[WBill]

Hey Bill, I'm in Santa Fe.  Yes we do have snow, but the roads often melt out so I can ride.  We just had a spell of snow and ice on the roads melt out, then got another storm the other day.  I'll be watching the weather leading up to my trip, but I figure I'd ask ahead of time.  Sounds like any scenic northern routes may have to wait until warmer weather, eh?

Yeah, I'd hold off.  Shady patches can be treacherous up high.  More snow in the forecast this week.  WBill

[Duc OT]

Medic09,

I'm in the same boat.  I have to be in Southern Cal NLT 6 Feb.  Will keep tabs on the weather and hope and pray for a break.

[marcusorelius]

Take old rte 66 out of kingman and it will come back to seligman ( a good place to eat here is lido's cafe) where ya can get back on I40. rd will be fine unless a storm is currently going through

[Medic09]

Marcus, how much of a ride is that stretch of old 66?

Duc OT, sounds like you're heading out a few days ahead of me.  When are you coming back?

[Duc OT]

Duc OT, sounds like you're heading out a few days ahead of me.  When are you coming back?

Medic09,
I'm doing a combat quick turn in Huntington Beach and will return on/about 10 Feb.  It all depends on if I go north to Monterey and back or not.

Decisions, decisions!

What are your plans?

[sagerat]

66 is OK, but not great.  Better than I-40.  Stop at Hackberry to see the oddball museum.  Believe me, you'll know it when you see it.  Building was an on old gas station and the museum/expo center kinda defies description.  89A between Flag and Sedona is excellent and then you're pretty close to Jerome, which is worth a visit.

[Medic09]

Thanks for the insights so far!

Duc, I'm leaving Santa Fe probably Sunday the 7th.  Going to spend a few days with one of our kids in grad school up north at Sonoma State (outside San Fransisco).  Then I'll turn around, spend the weekend (maybe) with an old friend who is now in Irvine, not far from LA.  Then head east back to NM.  About 10 days or so for the whole thing.  I'm thinking 2 or 2 1/2 days to San Francisco.

[buls4evr]

 If you want nice riding that is clear look at I-25 down to Caballo LK, then 152 West through Silver City and up 180. When on 180 take NM78 to Guthrie, AZ and 70 over to Safford AZ. That keeps you out of all the bad weather and the roads are good and scenic guys. It  is still too cold up by Gallup and Grants yet, especially at nite. Enjoy.

[Medic09]

Thanks buls.  I was hoping not to detour so much south, but I may have to.  

I don't mind cold.  I used to commute on my old Honda (no electric liner!) in winter from Santa Fe to ABQ.  But I DO mind snowstorms and ice.  Not really conducive to keeping even traction and the right side up...

[buls4evr]

 Supposed to be snow up in North NM again tonite(27th) and tomorrow morning(28th) but only rain in the center of the state and clearing by late morning on Friday down by Silver. I-40 has been closed off and on this wk. Also some problems with water over roads in some places so look out ahead of yourself on secondaries. I was up in Gila country yesterday and roads were ok to 6500ft. Above that just watch the shady parts and you would be OK.

[Medic09]

Precipitation has already faintly started here at 21:00 (9 PM).  I just rode home in it on my Tiger.  In the headlights looks like snow/frozen rain, and feels like small cold raindrops.  We're to expect about 5 inches, supposedly.  Covered my bike for the night. (Of course, my wife's ride gets to sit in the garage...)

[buls4evr]

  When is this D*** global warming going to start anyway? It's not happening in Deming for sure!

[KodiakRS]

Flagstaff->Sedona-> Jerome -> Prescott -> Bagdad -> Kingman

My purposed route

May be a little bit longer than what you were Planning but it will take you though some great towns and some epic Arizona twisties.  

[Medic09]

Kodiak, that proposed route might just be good to get me a little south of some of the weather.  I'll check it out, and the forecasts.  I may hit snow even before I get as far west as Flagstaff.

Pretty good snowing falling in Santa Fe right now.

Edit:  I just looked at the Google maps estimated times for that loop.  Is that for real?  7 hours?!  To cover under 300 miles?  That would be okay coming home; but I'm trying to make good time getting out to my kid's place.  Want to spend maximum time with her before I turn around to head back.

[WBill]

66 is OK, but not great.  Better than I-40.  Stop at Hackberry to see the oddball museum.  Believe me, you'll know it when you see it.  Building was an on old gas station and the museum/expo center kinda defies description.  89A between Flag and Sedona is excellent and then you're pretty close to Jerome, which is worth a visit.

OK. Yeah, what he said: You have to have a 6 oz coke at Hackberry.

FYI, 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona now (02/03) has only one lane open.  Infrastructure was washed out and watch-it for ice and cinders, not to mention land yachts and rubber neckers.  You can still get to Jerome by taking the I17 out of Flag and exiting on Rt. 260 to Cottonwood.  

Jerome is a must visit, as long as you have come this far.  Have a favorite beverage and listen to free rock music at The Spirit Room or Paul and Jerry's, or even put up for the night at The Connor, a classic hotel situated over The Spirit Room.  If you stay there, you can dance the night away and stagger upstairs to your room for a crash.  The Asylum, up on the hill, offers pricey but delicious meals for dinner.  Reservations might be required on weekends.

Jerome, born in the copper mining heydays, is very motorcycle friendly, and is a day ride destination from many directions on weekends.  I imagine that the city makes a good deal of its tourist income from motorcyclists of all stripes, but, of course, mainly cruisers.

If you make it to Kingman, I mean, if weather allows, cut south on the original Rt. 66 and pay Oatman a visit.  You won't be sorry.  The road and the place are quite interesting, and don't feed the feral donkeys.  Gable and Lombard spent their honeymoon there.  The old 66 runs west out of Oatman for some distance through SoCali and back to the I40.

In February, you just have to be flexible.  Isn't that what moto touring is all about?  WBill

[Medic09]

Mulling over alternate routes for the ride out, although it will inevitably add significant time to the trip.

I thought going south to Socorro, which is lower and a bit further south, and then taking US 60 westward.  It's a good road, but at Show Low it is high enough (6500 ft) I'll probably hit the snow.

Another option is to go way south to Cruces, take I-10 west to Lordsburg, then US 70 towards Phoenix, to come out the other side of Phoenix and head back up to Kingman.

It just doesn't look like the weather will hold for me to make the straight run across I-40.