Other roads worth hitting near 191 (devil's spine) in AZ?

[Justin]

I'm heading down to AZ for a 3 day weekend of riding. Just curious what other roads are worth hitting in the area? Also, is it better ridden north to south, or south to north? Or is it worth doing it both directions

[KodiakRS]

I'm actually planning a trip over there early next spring.  

I just found this which looks like an absolute blast.  I've also head that NM 180, which parallels 191 on the New Mexico side.  Is pretty good.  

There's also Salt river canyon on the 77 which is pretty cool.  Just watch out for leo presence on weekend mornings and afternoons.  

[expatbrit]

NM 180 is ... meh.

If you have the time and can make it over, NM152 from Silver City to Hillsboro is awesome. Maybe run N to S down 191, cut across to 180 and down to silver, then back across 152?

[Justin]

NM 180 is ... meh.

If you have the time and can make it over, NM152 from Silver City to Hillsboro is awesome. Maybe run N to S down 191, cut across to 180 and down to silver, then back across 152?

Yeah 180 is *OK* and YES, 152 is awesome, ridden that a bunch of times, I actually think I am going to take that route either on the way down or back.

[Justin]

I just found this which looks like an absolute blast.  I've also head that NM 180, which parallels 191 on the New Mexico side.  Is pretty good.  

There's also Salt river canyon on the 77 which is pretty cool.  Just watch out for leo presence on weekend mornings and afternoons.  

hmm that road (666) looks like it may be worth going a bit further south for - and it looks like it's paved

Where exactly is the salt river canyon?

[DangerMoney]

Where exactly is the salt river canyon?

Linky

 Also, is it better ridden north to south, or south to north? Or is it worth doing it both directions

If you can only do one direction, I'd recommend south to north because the south end is on the floor of the desert and the north end is up in the mountains. At one point you'll be over 9000' elevation. Running south to north puts you in the desert in the relatively cool morning and in the mountains in the afternoon when it has warmed up. If you've got time for both, do it.  

 Check the weather before you go. It's almost the end of the season for 191 since snow is a possibility this time of year. Make sure you've got gas for 80 miles.  Gas is available at both ends but there's nothing for the 80 miles in between.

This is 191 from one of the overlooks and it's like this for 80 miles:




Last time we did it we went on a weekday and only saw five other vehicles.

[buls4evr]

 The North end of 180 is pretty good in NM from Cliff and up over into Alpine ,AZ. You can make a loop out of 191, 180 and NM78 which is also a fun road. Over into NM you can run 15 out of Silver City up to 35, then back down to 152. 152 to Hillsboro then back on NM27 ,26 and 180 back to AZ. All good fun roads. Personally I think 191 is more thrilling going N to S as it is more downhill this way. The Salt RVR canyon goes from Show-Low toward Globe 260 or 60. Also neat. Enjoy.

[Justin]

Over into NM you can run 15 out of Silver City up to 35, then back down to 152.

Is that the road that goes up to Gila national monument? If so, I've ridden that before and it's *sick* - which means it was really fun

[buls4evr]

  Yup, that's 15 Justin, up to the Cliff Dwellings. Up to 35 it is like a 1.5 lane paved trail but is really a rush and gets wider North of 35. Fun.

[Justin]

 Up to 35 it is like a 1.5 lane paved trail but is really a rush and gets wider North of 35.

Yeap, that's the one. I think "paved goat trail" would describe accurately