Coronado Trail in AZ weather in late October
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
Best I can say is "iffy". Parts of that highway are over 8000 feet and snow is a real possibility. Just check the weather before you go. I've ridden it several times, usually in August. Check the weather conditions for Alpine and Hannagan Meadow.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 25
From: se michigan
Thanx, figured it would be cool due to the elevation. I'll check the weather prior to leaving Tucson where I'm staying the nite w/friends. Been all over AZ thru the years except the Coronado Trail Area and was hoping to do it this year. If the weathers bad, next year I'll come out in September or June to ride it.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 514
Likes: 2
From: Visalia CA
I am hoping that winter will hold back until late Nov so I can ride it as well. I live in Show Low but work out of the country, I try to ride it every time I am home. You didn't say how long you were going to be in the area but if your still around in the first part of Nov hit me up if you like and we can make a run at it. Enjoy the area either way.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Rode from Bisbee to Pinetop in mid-May this year...just before those nasty fires broke out. The Coronado Trail was really cool. One thing I didn't know is that the speed limit is 30 mph for about 65 miles of the Coronado Trail...lots of narrow roads and tight turns. It took a lot longer than we had planned for.
At the south end, by the really big copper mine, all of the hairpin corners had gravel all over them - beware. In the higher elevations, we saw some deer and 2 elk herds around dusk. We finally rolled into Pinetop after dark and it was chilly - mid 50s. I imagine that late October would be similar or even colder. Take some warm clothes and you'll have a blast!
At the south end, by the really big copper mine, all of the hairpin corners had gravel all over them - beware. In the higher elevations, we saw some deer and 2 elk herds around dusk. We finally rolled into Pinetop after dark and it was chilly - mid 50s. I imagine that late October would be similar or even colder. Take some warm clothes and you'll have a blast!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
Yes, the 90 miles through the twisties typically takes about 3 hours to complete. Every time I've ridden 191, I've gotten rained on. Last year we were at 8500' in the middle of a thunderstorm, with no place to find shelter. The thunder sounded like howitzers. We usually ride N to Alpine, spend the night and then ride back through Show low and Payson the next day.
It is, in my opinion, the best ride in AZ.
It is, in my opinion, the best ride in AZ.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 381
Likes: 1
From: San Diego area
Rode the trail the day before the fires broke out and stayed in Greer which was evacuatred the next day. I'm glad I missed the fire and still have to convince my buds that I didn't have anything to do with it. Best ride I've taken in awhile. The part by the mines was a little hairy with all of the tar snakes.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 25
From: se michigan
can't wait, will be there the first few days of November. Bringing my heated gear this time, as long as there isn't snow I'm gonna ride it. Have a 600 mile loop planned from Glendale that I can take from either direction, which would be better going north or south on 191? Thanx for all the info guys.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 514
Likes: 2
From: Visalia CA
Since I live on the northern part of the trail I have always done it in the clock-wise / north-south direction, but I think the next time I get a chance to ride it I will go counter clock-wise just so I can see it both ways.
I threw this route together for you to check out mostly to just show you suggested fuel, food and look out spots. If push came to shove with weather forcing you to overnight someplace there are descent priced hotels in the Pinetop-Lakeside and Show Low areas.
http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...r/share/437060
The stretch between Globe and Show Low is the Salt River Canyon and that in itslef is a nice ride and you can make a nice loop out of it if you throw Payson in, just in case the 191 is closed.
Hope you enjoy your Az Ride.
Jake
I threw this route together for you to check out mostly to just show you suggested fuel, food and look out spots. If push came to shove with weather forcing you to overnight someplace there are descent priced hotels in the Pinetop-Lakeside and Show Low areas.
http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...r/share/437060
The stretch between Globe and Show Low is the Salt River Canyon and that in itslef is a nice ride and you can make a nice loop out of it if you throw Payson in, just in case the 191 is closed.
Hope you enjoy your Az Ride.
Jake
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 25
From: se michigan
Thanks Troll, ridden thru the Salt River Area many times thru the years. Have taken every available paved road between Phx and Tucson including the southern route thru Ajo when it's cooler. Been thru Payson/Pumpkin Center and Jakes Corner too, The only road I've never been able to do is 191, due to the time of year we're usually in Az. Have a memorial service Oct 30 in Tucson for my sister who recently passed and have a friends motorhome parked on the backstretch of PIR the following weekend. That gives me 4 days of riding in between so I'm taking advantage of it hopefully riding 191. If not I'll go to plan B and head towards Havasu and Rt66 near Oatman.
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