bigTom
11-25-2008, 11:06 AM
My favorite campground of 2008. It is made all the better because it is located on the old 666 (Now 191) in far eastern AZ. Just probably the best motorcycle road on the face of the earth. Certainly the best for the length.
A hosted National Forrest Service Campground, I believe 12 campsites. Free! They let us put 3 tents on one site, I have no idea the limit. Primitive, each site has a fire ring and a NFS steel picnic table. Pit toilets (no showers) and running water. I suspect the water is just fine, but I pack my own all the time in AZ. Worked very nicely for clean up and such. The nearest place to buy firewood is Alpine. Not that there is any particular shortage of blow downs and snags, they were just so wet we had to buy dry wood to get it going. There is garbage service, pack it out is easy!
Located 20 miles south of Alpine, AZ and 40 miles north of Morencinni. This is "see gas, buy gas" country. 9000 feet of elevation, it is cool at best year round. It was rainy this year, and the host said they had 30 straight days of rain. The good news is that the towering pines diverted much of the moisture from us. The host is/was an old Gold Wing rider, the place is MC friendly. A wonderful place to stay and play. The next SToc (and others) gathering there will be 06-06-09. Should be drier but is prime fire season, and it doesn't take too much to close the road.
The "Hannigan Meadows Lodge" is right next door, within 1/4 mile. It is open weekends only, and reservations are required. The crusty old bugger (Walt?) that runs the place fires off the BBQ for lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. The setting for the meal makes up for any possible deficiencies in the cooking. (You get it the way Walt cooks it, when Walt cooks it. Any questions?) The setting is spectacular. Don't forget to say hello to the horned toad. They have horses for rent and Walt will guide a ride per day. I suspect those a lot like the cooking.
The road. Oh, brother. What a road. The southern 20 miles will just flat make you think the dragon is just another busted down lizard. Climbing up the hill around the copper mine at Morencinni is just outstanding. Once you clear the mine you clear any traffic. Good grief, it's the best I have ever ridden and it goes on and on and on. I have never taken a dual sport there, but it certainly wouldn't be out of place. There are places on top of places to go see.
Forrest Rats (white tailed deer) and Elk and Turkeys abound, use what ever care and concern you feel you can. That road does not generate much deer caution in me, I am dialed into the next turn.
The two pictures are taken from roughly the same spot, of the back half of the site where Bob (AzDesertRider) and I set up. Campsites are huge, we could have put 3 or 4 more tents in there with ease.
All in all a stunning place for me. Is everything I can want in a camp. I'll next be there on Friday June 5th. Anybody want to come?
A hosted National Forrest Service Campground, I believe 12 campsites. Free! They let us put 3 tents on one site, I have no idea the limit. Primitive, each site has a fire ring and a NFS steel picnic table. Pit toilets (no showers) and running water. I suspect the water is just fine, but I pack my own all the time in AZ. Worked very nicely for clean up and such. The nearest place to buy firewood is Alpine. Not that there is any particular shortage of blow downs and snags, they were just so wet we had to buy dry wood to get it going. There is garbage service, pack it out is easy!
Located 20 miles south of Alpine, AZ and 40 miles north of Morencinni. This is "see gas, buy gas" country. 9000 feet of elevation, it is cool at best year round. It was rainy this year, and the host said they had 30 straight days of rain. The good news is that the towering pines diverted much of the moisture from us. The host is/was an old Gold Wing rider, the place is MC friendly. A wonderful place to stay and play. The next SToc (and others) gathering there will be 06-06-09. Should be drier but is prime fire season, and it doesn't take too much to close the road.
The "Hannigan Meadows Lodge" is right next door, within 1/4 mile. It is open weekends only, and reservations are required. The crusty old bugger (Walt?) that runs the place fires off the BBQ for lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. The setting for the meal makes up for any possible deficiencies in the cooking. (You get it the way Walt cooks it, when Walt cooks it. Any questions?) The setting is spectacular. Don't forget to say hello to the horned toad. They have horses for rent and Walt will guide a ride per day. I suspect those a lot like the cooking.
The road. Oh, brother. What a road. The southern 20 miles will just flat make you think the dragon is just another busted down lizard. Climbing up the hill around the copper mine at Morencinni is just outstanding. Once you clear the mine you clear any traffic. Good grief, it's the best I have ever ridden and it goes on and on and on. I have never taken a dual sport there, but it certainly wouldn't be out of place. There are places on top of places to go see.
Forrest Rats (white tailed deer) and Elk and Turkeys abound, use what ever care and concern you feel you can. That road does not generate much deer caution in me, I am dialed into the next turn.
The two pictures are taken from roughly the same spot, of the back half of the site where Bob (AzDesertRider) and I set up. Campsites are huge, we could have put 3 or 4 more tents in there with ease.
All in all a stunning place for me. Is everything I can want in a camp. I'll next be there on Friday June 5th. Anybody want to come?