Arizona Devil's Highways (666) Rt 191
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Just rode The Devils Highway (way better name in my opinion than the Coronado Trail!) last month. Started the day in Tombstone, AZ and then rode through Safford to Clifton and eventually ended up in Springerville.
Compared to the Tail of the Dragon which I rode last year, the Devils Highway is much longer (Clifton to Springerville is 120 miles vs 11 miles on the Dragon) and more diverse. Both are great! The Dragon is very technical with 318 turns jammed into only 11 miles. The Devils Highway is also technical with lots of switchbacks like the dragon, but also has a lot more diversity. Keep an eye out for some areas of gravel on the Devils Highway and also some stretches of a few miles of real slippery tar snakes in the middle of a bunch of the switchback turns.
I really like the changes in conditions; climate, road, and scenery. You'll see everything from open copper mines to canyons, to fast sweepers to switchbacks. At elevation the scenery and climate change to pine trees and it feels more like New Hampshire or Vermont than desert.
When you finish riding the Devils Highway, you know you've had an amazing, full day of riding. The Dragon is so short, it is only a small part of your riding day.
I would put both roads at the top of my list, along with The Million Dollar Hwy.
Compared to the Tail of the Dragon which I rode last year, the Devils Highway is much longer (Clifton to Springerville is 120 miles vs 11 miles on the Dragon) and more diverse. Both are great! The Dragon is very technical with 318 turns jammed into only 11 miles. The Devils Highway is also technical with lots of switchbacks like the dragon, but also has a lot more diversity. Keep an eye out for some areas of gravel on the Devils Highway and also some stretches of a few miles of real slippery tar snakes in the middle of a bunch of the switchback turns.
I really like the changes in conditions; climate, road, and scenery. You'll see everything from open copper mines to canyons, to fast sweepers to switchbacks. At elevation the scenery and climate change to pine trees and it feels more like New Hampshire or Vermont than desert.
When you finish riding the Devils Highway, you know you've had an amazing, full day of riding. The Dragon is so short, it is only a small part of your riding day.
I would put both roads at the top of my list, along with The Million Dollar Hwy.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
Thanks guys - I figured as much. 3 hours of riding the twistiest road in the U.S. and I couldn't believe this would take second fiddle to the Dragon. Appreciate the feedback as this was an awesome ride! Beware of the Tar Snakes about 20 minutes south of Tal WI Wi if you're considering this ride.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 450
Likes: 11
From: Phoenix,Az. area
I've rode both the Dragon & Devil's hwy(191).I have to agree that the devil's Hwy is a nicer ride. I've gone both ways, going north & then again going south & like the south bound ,Springerville to Morencie.
Going down in elevation I think you get more senic views.
Going down in elevation I think you get more senic views.
Last edited by azbob09; Jun 24, 2012 at 11:01 PM. Reason: addition
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,907
From: Western South Dakota
I did it back in the early mid 70's when it was Hwy 666 and thought it kinda spooky.
Hardly any traffic.
No guard rails to speak of and a long way down if you went over the edge.
Very scenic though..
Hardly any traffic.
No guard rails to speak of and a long way down if you went over the edge.
Very scenic though..
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, AZ
I've done both on several different bikes. The Dragon was great 10-15yrs ago with less traffic and on a sport bike. The Devil is a nicer ride, epecially on a touring bike. I have run across deer/elk on both so becareful out there!!!
sounds like more fun than the Dragon, at least traffic wise.
__________________
General Inquiries:
Info@LongRideShields.com
Sales and Marketing:
Sales@LongRideShields.com
Phone:
775.331.3789
General Inquiries:
Info@LongRideShields.com
Sales and Marketing:
Sales@LongRideShields.com
Phone:
775.331.3789
Great Road... been on it several times in the past few years.. Going back again first weekend of August... up one day, down the next.. Last year we actually took the north route to Alpine, Stayed at Tal Wi Wi.. then came down the highway to meet folks in Morenci (were going to take the nm side down and around to morenci, but weather was threatening and we wanted a good dry ride on the highway.. So down we came in the morning. Great ride. Met up for lunch and then rode back north. a quarter of the way up, the rain came pouring down... Nothing different than the same road, the same day.. dry in the morning, drenched in the afternoon... road conditions different of course.. Had a blast!
One of my favorite roads here in Arizona.. a definitive Must do.
One of my favorite roads here in Arizona.. a definitive Must do.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 4
From: Third Coast, South Texas
Did that stretch of 191 a few years ago. Never rode the dragon so can't compare..
I will say I don't know how it could get any better than 191. Little south out of Springerville is when the fun starts.
I will say I don't know how it could get any better than 191. Little south out of Springerville is when the fun starts.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TomboAT65
Dyna Glide Models
10
Nov 5, 2012 04:26 PM
DrPlastic
Southeast
6
Mar 31, 2009 05:41 PM