Road to Inzane via Devils Highway, Route 666 (now 191)

[Prescott John]

Not exactly a plan as of yet, but thinking about it.  The idea is that we meet up in Safford, Az. Friday evening, June 7.  Saturday we ride north on 191 to the 40 and east into Gallop, NM (aprox 290 miles).  Sunday, instead of the 40, we take slower, more scenic route to Taos(270 miles).  There is a bridge closed on 191 and under repair.  Don't know when it will open so we will have to keep and eye on it.

[BigMac (SoCal)]

Count me in. It's going to be fun. 

[Ron]

Amigos

I have booked my room for Gallup on Sat June 8 at the Best Western Plus Gallup Inn & Suites. I'm holding off for now on booking Safford until John can get that bridge built and reopen Devils highway.  Are there any plans for on the way back like maybe hitting some of Colorado or are we on our own after Inzane?

[Prescott John]

Donna and I have our room booked and so does Dave, at the Best Western in Gallop.  I guess I better rope a shovel onto the side of the Goldwing and ride down there to see what the hold up is on 191.

[sandy]

I hate Int 40. SOOO; Take 191 North and turn East on 53 and go through Zuni. Then turn North on 602 into Gallup. Much less traffic and most of it is scenic.

[Ron]

Thanks Sandy. That not a bad way to go.

[NautiBrit]

I'm still deciding if I want to take a longer route up to Taos as I need to be back in AZ asap after Inzane to prepare for our European ride through the Alps. Was looking at riding up to Salt Lake, across to Colorado and south down the $1M highway. I need to get some mountain road practice. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'm still deciding if I want to take a longer route up to Taos as I need to be back in AZ asap after Inzane to prepare for our European ride through the Alps. Was looking at riding up to Salt Lake, across to Colorado and south down the $1M highway. I need to get some mountain road practice. 

Man, I can't wait to hear about your trip George  !

[ValkStrom]

Awesome road.....loved it on my V-Strom!!!

[sandy]

Thanks Sandy. That not a bad way to go.

There's gas in Zuni if you want to plan a stop.

[Ron]

Good job John.

https://azdot.gov/media/News/news-release/2019/03/25/us-191-bridge-reopens-near-morenci-mine-after-repairs-to-abutment

[Prescott John]

I like Sandy's suggestion so we can go that way.  Thanks Sandy.  Looks like 191 will be open so we will be good to go that way. Thanks Ron for the post.   I'm looking forward to the ride.

[Gary]

Some other "food" for thought...
If you cut over on Hwy 60 around Springerville along 191 you can hit Pie Town for a quick bite and of course, pie. Then head on up to Gallup.

Another add-on you might consider even using your planned Zuni route is to include a stop off at El Morro National Monument and check out Inscription Rock. I still have not made it there but it does look and sound worth a stop with all its history, if time permits.

Here's a little video clip on it:
https://youtu.be/6lLejU9QhhU

I have been up and down Hwy 117 out of Pie Town thru parts of the El Malpais National Conservation Area. Just south of I-40 is where we (Dave, John, Michael & I) made a quick detour to check out La Ventanna on the return trip from the AZ Memorial Weekend Ride a few years back.

If the photo link works, here's a pic...
La Ventanna

[BigMac (SoCal)]

Gary, I hope to see you at InZane. Right in your backyard.

Dave

[sandy]

I'd like to suggest a route that I've taken (twice; each way). Continue on 53 through Zuni. It meets Int 40 at Grants. From there, take 605 North through San Mateo, NM. From there use a GPS to navigate to Taos. This path eliminates Gallup, but I spent a night in Gallup once. Never again; too many trains running all night. Grants might have the same issue. Near Ramah/El Morro there's a lodge/campground that has cabins for nightly stays. I confirm that El Morro Nat Monument is worth a stop. Interesting history of SW history.

http://www.lodging-newmexico.com/P-T/RAMAH-NEW-MEXICO.htm

[sdv003]

I just made resv. in Gallup.  Looking forward to this.

[sdv003]

and just made resv for the quality inn and suites on hwy 70 in safford.

[BigMac (SoCal)]

John and I are staying at the Safford in and suites. It's just across the street from Quality Inn and Suites. They said they only had a few rooms left so make your reservations.

Dave

[Ron]

John and I are staying at the Safford in and suites. It's just across the street from Quality Inn and Suites. They said they only had a few rooms left so make your reservations.

Dave

And Ron I'm always forgotten. 

[BigMac (SoCal)]

Not forgotten, I just didn't know if you had made your reservations yet.

Dave

[Ron]

Just kidding.    I made them when I posted the bridge was back open on 191.

[Gary]

Gary, I hope to see you at InZane. Right in your backyard.

Dave

Hey Dave, glad to hear about your getting back in shape and up and at'em.

Yes, it is in my vicinity this year. Still not sure on my attendance just yet. My son Nick and I are taking an FJ camping road trip with very loose plans to hit several states between NM and SC, dates still up in the air. He has some use-it-or-lose-it time to knock out.

If I'm around though I will definitely look forward to seeing y'all.  

Light snow up here today with more to follow tonight, then the warmer weather should start to settle in.

***update***
Here you go, April 1 pic added for reference purposes.

[BigMac (SoCal)]

Well I hope to see you Gary, Just leave the keys to your house under the mat and we'll make our self's right at home. LOL