Blogs

Devil's Hwy - Route 666 - Arizona

The 450 switchbacks and over 1000 tight curves make this the best and most challenging road I've ever ridden and the lack of guard rails and abundance of sheer drop off’s seals its reputation as the Devils Hwy. The elevation ranges from about 300 to over 9000 feet above sea level. Scenery includes everything from diverse desert cactus and brushy Flora to Alpine forests and meadows. Road conditions range from poor near the Morenci Mine to very good for most of the run. There were only a few curves with a severely degraded surface and they were very easy to spot in advance at the speeds we were going.

My ride started west of Phoenix so our butts already had 180 miles on them when we turned onto the 191 just east of Safford Arizona. You begin to get a taste of what you’re in for just after Three Way, AZ and the ride really gets started once you clear the Morenci Copper mine; which by itself is a truly impressive piece of human engineering. We stopped and watched the giant dump trucks for about a half an hour before moving on.

Shortly after leaving the mine I started to wonder if I was going to have a transmission left by the end of the run and decided to settle down a little and use up all of second gear before considering a shift to third just to be forced back to first or second gear 30 seconds later. There are two small but clean rest stops between Clifton and Alpine and the northern most stop is a short loop that goes out to the cliffs making it worthy of a pit stop even if it’s just for pictures.

Watch for debris on the right hand side of the road from the rocky cliffs and steep slopes, especially after a rain or freeze. Road crews check the road often during inclement weather but it takes hours to complete each cleanup sweep.

My Next Devil's Hwy Run.
The next time I do this run I will base camp in Alpine because food and fuel are in short supply once you begin this trek. Make sure to have a spare fuel can, plenty of water, and some snacks before you start this ride. To start the loop from Alpine, AZ head east on the 180 toward New Mexico, remember to get gas where you can some stretches go 90 miles between services. The 180 will turn south and wind through the mountains and present you with many sweeping curves to keep you entertained. Take the 78 West through Mule Creek and continue to Three Way Arizona. You can pick up the Devils Hwy (Route 666) renamed Hwy 191 in 2003 partially due to the constant theft of the Route 666 signage. Be sure to gas up in Clifton because it’s 90+ miles of grueling first and Second gear switchbacks and curves before your next fuel and water stop.