This 380-mile route is best taken in late spring or early autumn because of the extremes in temperatures and elevation (1800ft in Fountain Hills to 7000+ feet in Flagstaff and on Mingus Mountain). Other times of the year, you face icy conditions in the upper elevations or scorching temps (100+ degrees) around Phoenix.The route starts in Fountain Hills and rises through sweepers along the Beeline Hwy (Hwy 87) amidst the Mazatzal Mountains up to Payson. For bikes with limited range (less than 200 miles), you may want to fuel up here. From here, you will climb up the Mogollon Rim (MOH-gee-AWN) and continue through the towns of Pine and Strawberry. About 19 miles past Strawberry, turn left onto Lake Mary Road (Co Rd 209).Lake Mary Road will take you through ponderosa pine forests, opening up at the beautiful but shallow Mormon Lake and Lake Mary. Note that this road is often closed in winter due to ice and blowing snow.There is a gas stop on the right just as you come into Flagstaff. Continue on past I-17, turning left onto 89A. This road will parallel the breathtaking Oak Creek Canyon into Sedona and includes some tight switchback twisties. You'll know you're coming into Sedona when you start seeing the areas famous red rock formations. There are a lot of great restaurants and gas stops here, along with New Age gift shops. We ate at the Red Planet Diner. Fun place with a retro-space age theme and good burgers. Try the Space Junk appetizer!From Sedona, follow 89A through Cottonwood. Watch the signs because 89A takes a left turn in town, so be prepared. After that, you will go through a series of roundabouts, the last of which 89A makes another left toward Jerome.In Jerome, things get challenging with tight and STEEP hairpin turns, including some in town. Jerome is an old mining town turned artist colony. Good places to eat include the Haunted Hamburger. Parking is limited and there is a lot of vehicle and foot traffic. At the T-intersection, 89A turns right. After Jerome, you will go through some fun twisties over the back side of Mingus Mountain. There are often cinders in the corners so watch your speed. Soon, the trees will part as 89A leads you into the wide open spaces of Prescott Valley.Follow the 89A/89 signs into Prescott. Feel free to stop in the square for a break and maybe an afternoon nibble. Lots of traffic, so be careful. Then stay on 89 through yet more twisties along the north side of Mt. Union, then a brief respite and finally Yarnell Hill. The route ends at the Mobil/Dairy Queen/Jack-in-the Box on the outskirts of Wickenburg.
This is a motorcycle ride in the state of Arizona. This motorcycle route has 8 scenery characteristics and other road conditions to help you plan your road trip. This motorcycle map was created by dharma in June. Click here to see other Motorcycle Roads by dharma