Arizona Riding?

[Utah Geezer]

Any Arizona riders that can give me an evaluation of Hwy 87 out of Mesa to Payson and then 87 up to Winslow. Worth the ride if we are pressed for time? Trying to hit Winslow, Flagstaff down to Sedona to Jerome and back to Mesa in one day. If 87 isn't a super ride I will just shoot up the freeway to Flagstaff and eliminate 87 up to Winslow. I've been there before but the friends I'm riding with haven't. There is always another day and ride. Don't want to kill off my friends who don't ride as much as I do. Any help would be appreciated.

We are also looking to ride to Tombstone from Mesa and back in one day too. Last time I did Tombstone I spent a couple days in the area. Is there a decent loop to get to Tombstone from Mesa and then return a different way?

Any other cool rides to do in the Mesa area? Heard something about a ride to a big fountain but thats all I know about it.

[canamjhb]

Definitely ride 87 from Mesa to Payson. It's excellent. Instead of going to Winslow, I recommend continuing on to Pine and Strawberry on past 260 to the next left. That goes past Happy Jack and Morman Lake and on to Flagstaff. All pretty riding though in high desert through pine trees. You'll wonder what happened to Arizona and think you're in a different world. After you hit Jerome, consider 89A to Prescott and continue on to Wickenburg then back to Mesa. It is a VERY long day ride with just too much good scenery and riding to rush through. I would make it a 2 dayer with an overnight in Cottonwood. You will not be disappoointed..... Jim

[Utah Geezer]

Thank you for the information and advise.


Definitely ride 87 from Mesa to Payson. It's excellent. Instead of going to Winslow, I recommend continuing on to Pine and Strawberry on past 260 to the next left. That goes past Happy Jack and Morman Lake and on to Flagstaff. All pretty riding though in high desert through pine trees. You'll wonder what happened to Arizona and think you're in a different world. After you hit Jerome, consider 89A to Prescott and continue on to Wickenburg then back to Mesa. It is a VERY long day ride with just too much good scenery and riding to rush through. I would make it a 2 dayer with an overnight in Cottonwood. You will not be disappoointed..... Jim

[NautiBrit]

Try Hwy 60 to Wickenburg follow 89 past Yarnell Hill to Prescott then 89A through Jerome, Cottonwood and into Sedona. If you have time follow canamjhb's suggestion or shoot down I-17.

The fountain is in Fountain Hills and blasts off on the hour. It's nothing special, but can kill a few hours.

From Mesa consider riding to Tortilla Flat. Recently repaved, windy road, but it turns into a dirt road a few miles past TF.

[vindex1963]

I have a get away home in Payson so I ride the 87 from Phoenix to Payson every weekend and after all these years (Since 2007) I never get tired of it. Avoid it late afternoon Fridays during the summer when people head North
for the weekend, traffic is terrible.

[Utah Geezer]

Thanks very much.



Try Hwy 60 to Wickenburg follow 89 past Yarnell Hill to Prescott then 89A through Jerome, Cottonwood and into Sedona. If you have time follow canamjhb's suggestion or shoot down I-17.

The fountain is in Fountain Hills and blasts off on the hour. It's nothing special, but can kill a few hours.

From Mesa consider riding to Tortilla Flat. Recently repaved, windy road, but it turns into a dirt road a few miles past TF.

[Utah Geezer]

I appreciate the information.


I have a get away home in Payson so I ride the 87 from Phoenix to Payson every weekend and after all these years (Since 2007) I never get tired of it. Avoid it late afternoon Fridays during the summer when people head North
for the weekend, traffic is terrible.