Saturday, March 27 - Day 17
Peoria, AZ to Alpine, AZ
Woke up at 5:30 AM, which was really only 4:30 AM to my body clock - still on California time. Turned up the thermostat to 75F and went back to sleep for another two hours. Was under way by 9:15 AM. Sunny skies, and the temperature had already climbed from the night's low of 49F to 60F. During the day it would climb into the high eighties.
Made it through Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa on I-10 and the Superstition Freeway without delays. Jumped off at Apache Junction, filled the gas tank ($1.259 per gallon) and took AZ 88, the Apache Trail. Incidentally, my decision yesterday evening to stop at Peoria was a good one, there were no decent-looking campgrounds for the nest 1 1/2 hours.
The drive from Apache Junction to Tortilla Flats is quite scenic and the road is easy enough. Got good views of the Superstition Mountains. However, there aren't any turnouts or safe stopping places for taking photos where photos should be taken. Tortilla Flats is an old stage coach stop and not overly touristy. Beyond Tortilla Flats the paved road ends and driving gets a bit hairy. The dirt road is definitely not suitable for anything wider, higher or longer than a van. Also, drive the Trail from south to north, as I did. This way, most of the time, you have the inside lane, near the cliff walls, and the worst that could happen is sheet metal damage. On the outside lane you have 1,000' drops and no guard rails.
There are spectacular views of the various lakes formed by the Salt River
but unfortunately, the dam at the top, Roosevelt Dam, is a hydroelectric power generating facility. So whenever there is a spectacular view and an opportunity to pull off the road, there is an ugly power transmission line running right through the picture.
I wish there were opportunities for renting motor scooters so one could travel this beautiful road and stop at will. To the entrepreneur who might pick up on this idea: provide dust-protecting clothing and shower facilities.
This 46 mile long drive is truly spectacular, but be aware that the views are so seductively beautiful that it is easy to get into trouble. The drive is truly spine tingling, but worth it.
At Roosevelt Dam AZ 88 becomes paved again and it is a quick and fairly pretty drive to Globe, AZ. AZ 88 merges into US 60, which took me from Globe to High Low, the second spectacular drive of the day. This stretch of US 60 is well built and there is a fair amount of traffic.
At Globe one is still in high desert country, with desert brush, grassland, cacti, and dry washes. The road climbs to about 6,000' and then drops down the Salt River canyon to cross the Salt River.
After crossing the bridge one enters the White Mountain Apache reservation. The road climbs up about 2,000 feet and there are great views of the canyon walls along the way.
That's the river, way down at the bottom of the canyon.
At Show Low I turned onto AZ 73/AZ 260, the very scenic White Mountain Road. Drove through the White Mountain Apache Reservation and the Apache National Forest. The road climbed to 10,000', the highest elevation on my trip so far. Then it dropped to 8,000' and Alpine, AZ. Remnants of snow along the way.
At Alpine found the Alpine Village R.V. Park, the only game in town. No picnic tables or fire rings, but water, electric, cable, and sewer hook-ups for $15.91. And, best of all, the bathouse is really warm and the showers are without water-saver rings. If you follow my trail on your travels, this is the place to spend the night!
Drove 309 miles today and was on the road for 8 hours.