| The walls seen in this photo comprise a
levee system along the San Francisco River. There are
gates between the walls to allow the highway and railroad
through - these can be closed to protect the rest of the
narrow valley in case of a flood. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 crosses the San Francisco
River, and turns to follow Chase Creek after crossing
the river. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| There are several crossings of the railroad
tracks due to the narrow canyon. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| The next 14 miles of US Highway 191 are
designated as temporary by ADOT. This temporary section
was built by Phelps Dodge due to an increase in mining
activity (see the map above) in 1990. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 passes downtown Clifton
and heads west towards the Morenci mine. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| After leaving Clifton, there is a warning
sign that trucks over 40 feet long are not allowed 10
miles ahead (after passing the Morenci mine entrance).
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 enters Chase Canyon proper
after leaving Clifton. The road has been widened through
here, as witnessed by the high roadcut to the right. In
the distance, tailings from the Morenci Mine can been
seen. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 has a sharp U-turn to cross
the canyon and climb on the north side of it up to Morenci.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| The closed asphalt road that turns off to
the right is former US Highway 191. This closed section
of road was bypassed by the temporary alignment, with
the original road following Chase Creek upstream (see
the map above). Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Advance signage for the Morenci turnoff.
Traffic to Morenci should use the left lane, and thru
traffic to Springerville and the Mine entrance should
use the right lane. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Morenci is one of two company towns in Arizona
(the other being Bagdad) - both are owned by Phelps Dodge.
The townsite has been relocated further south due to the
growth in mining over the last 30 years. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| Traffic continuing on U.S. Highway 191 must
make a sharp right turn to stay on the road. This is a
legacy of the 1973 reroute, as we are following the original
Morenci access road. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Traffic travelling to Morenci exit to the
town here. Morenci was originally founded as a mining
town, and named for Morenci, Michigan. The town was relocated
in the 1950s with the growth of the Phelps Dodge open
pit mine to it's current location, and is now totally
owned by Phelps Dodge. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 now travels around the
edge of the massive open pit mine. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| The headquarters of the operation can be
seen in the left side of this photo. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| There are no services on U.S. Highway 191
until reaching Alpine, 90 miles ahead. This is one of
the most desolate roads in the nation ahead. Photo taken
November 11, 2007.
|
| This is the last signal along U.S. Highway
191 until well past Springerville. Turn right to enter
the Morenci mine here. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| As U.S. Highway 191X was rerouted through
the mine, some portions of the road are somewhat unusual.
This railroad underpass was constructed in 1949, and is
almost like a tunnel instead of a bridge. Photo taken
November 11, 2007.
|
| 
| These two photos show some of the infastructure
used to process the mined copper. U.S. Highway 191 passes
next to the processing area. Photos taken November 11,
2007.
|
| 
| This tunnel was constructed in 1949 by Phelps
Dodge, and added to the state highway system as part of
the reroute. It is 400 feet long, and unlit. Photo taken
November 11, 2007.
|
| Bighorn Sheep have been seen on the hills
around the Morenci Mine, as noted on this sign. Photo
taken November 11, 2007.
|
| This is a taste of things to come...but
the first round is only 25 miles. What they don't tell
you is in 29 miles, you'll see this sign again. Photo
taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 crosses Morenci Gulch here
and starts climbing higher into the surrounding mountains
around the mine. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| The sharp curves through the mine are just
a taste of what lies ahead. At this point, U.S. Highway
191 leaves Morenci Gulch and climbs up the south side
of the gulch. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 climbs through tight switchbacks
approximately 600 feet in 2/3 of a mile to follow the
sides of Copper Mountain. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Distance sign to Alpine (83 miles) and Springerville
(113 miles). Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 crosses a mine haul road,
as seen by the large equipment driving in front of us.
Flagmen are in place to stop what little traffic there
is on U.S. Highway 191. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 was designated a scenic
route in 1989. The road is named the Coronado Trail, for
the terrain along the road follows the records kept by
the Coronado expedition to find the Seven Cities of Cibola.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Phelps Dodge has an overlook of the open
pit, which can be accessed at this turnoff. Photo taken
November 11, 2007.
|
| 
| 
| The Morenci open pit mine is the largest copper mine
in Arizona. Open pit mining activity began at the site
in 1937. Today, more than 700,000 tons of rock are moved
daily, and the mine produces 840 million pounds of copper
per year. Photos taken November 11, 2007.
|
| After the overlook, U.S. Highway 191X begins
a descent back into the Chase Creek drainage. This safety
pullout is designed for trucks to check their brakes before
descending the grade. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191X has an 8% downgrade to
re-enter Chase Creek canyon. This is about the only downgrade
until reaching Alpine as we head northbound. Photo taken
November 11, 2007.
|
| 
| U.S. Highway 191X winds its way around unnamed
hills as it winds around the mine. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| 
| US Highway 191X passes next to the rock
pile, comprised of lower grade copper rocks taken from
the mine. At some point, these may be mined or refined
to extract additional copper. Photos taken November 11,
2007.
|
| After passing this point, U.S. Highway 191
is restricted to trucks under 40 feet in length, due to
the sharp curves ahead. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 starts to descend back
into the Chase Creek drainage here. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| Take note of this milepost - Mile 179. We
are about to leave Temporary U.S. Highway 191 behind.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
|  |
This dam inside Chase Creek is designed
to prevent runoff from entering the Morenci mine. This
is a fairly recent addition to the landscape, due to the
growth of the mine. Notice the milepost in this photo,
marking the return to the permanent alignment. Photos
taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 passes through the scenic
upper reaches of Chase Creek Canyon. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| To avoid a steep section of Chase Creek
Canyon, U.S. Highway 191 has a shapr turn to climb the
east wall of the canyon in a long switchback. Photo taken
November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 climbs almost 800 feet
vertically out of Chase Creek Canyon before it reaches
the Chase Creek overlook. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| 
| This plaque, located at the Chase Creek
overlook, denotes the national scenic byway. The second
photo looks south at the grade we just climbed out of
Chase Creek Canyon. Photos taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 climbs along the sides
of 7242 foot tall Pinal Point before following Chase Creek
again. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 enters the Apache National
Forest. The forest was established in 1908, and is now
part of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Photo taken
November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 at the Granville
Campground and Picnic Area. The campground is named
for a former way station, named after an old prospector.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 now winds around a low
saddle to leave Chase Creek completely. Yes, more twists
and turns are coming. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 now crosses Sardine Saddle.
At Sardine Saddle (elevation 7200 feet), U.S. Highway
191 meets an old alignment that is now a hiking trail.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 meets HL Saddle here. HL
Saddle, at approximately 7400 feet in altitude, marks
the headwaters of HL Canyon. Photo taken November 11,
2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 winds above the headwaters
of Whitewater Creek. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| 
| 
| These eight photos show a typical mile along
U.S. Highway 191. This is mile 185 through mile 186 -
notice the twists and turns along the road as it follows
the saddle between Pigeon Creek and Smith Canyon. This
road was a challenge to drive, despite the beautiful weather.
Photos taken November 11, 2007.
|
| 
| 
|
| 
|
|
| Distance sign to Alpine (70 miles) and Springerville
(98 miles). Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 descends to around 6700
feet as it passes above Juan Miller Creek. The terrain
widens out to a broad bench above the creek. Photo taken
November 11, 2007.
|
| There is a sharp series of turns above the
headwaters of Juan Miller Creek to avoid another finger
canyon. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| The terrain of the Apache National Forest
has been lightly touched by man over the last 200 years.
Notice the broad vista ahead of us. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 meets Forest Route 217
here. Use Forest Route 217 to reach Eagle Creek and the
Honeymoon campground. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| The views from U.S. Highway 191 reach all
the way to Blue Peak. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 is not plowed on weekends
or at night during winter, for obvious reasons. Photo
taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Advance signage for Forest Route 475. Photo
taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Use Forest Route 475 to reach Juan Miller
Campground and Blue River. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Forest Route 475 departs from U.S. Highway
191 here. The dirt road goes all the way to the Blue River,
over 12 miles away. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| As we continue north, we enter Four Bar
Mesa. This short section of U.S. Highway 191 is relatively
straight, and has a speed limit of (whopping) 50 MPH.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Four Bar Mesa is a wide open grassland at
approximately 6300 feet in altitude. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| It was nice while it lasted - the speed
limit drops back to 25 MPH as we leave Four Bar Mesa.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| As promised earlier, U.S. Highway 191 subjects
us to another 30 miles of curves and mountain grades,
all the way to Hannagan Meadow. Photo taken November 11,
2007.
|
| Distance sign to Hannagan Meadow (36 miles)
and Springerville (85 miles). Photo taken November 11,
2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 meets Forest Route 515
here. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 follows the drainage divide
between the Eagle Creek and Blue River drainages. Notice
how Arizona does not even sign individual curves on this
road, but gives us a 15 MPH curve warning for the next
six miles. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Many of the hills along U.S. Highway 191,
like this one, are unnamed. This makes it quite hard to
write about the over 100 pictures on this page! Photo
taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Occasionally, U.S. Highway 191 enters open
flats. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 winds around Rose Peak,
passing Hogtrail Saddle and another old alignment. Photo
taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 winds around the headwaters
of Bear Canyon and assorted tributaries. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| Rose Peak is an 8776 foot tall mountain,
with a fire lookout atop the peak. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 has some sharp turns around
Rose Peak, like this one. The trail junction ahead is
the Bear Spring Trail, Forest Service Trail 19. Photo
taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 is a designated scenic
route, as marked by this reassurance marker. Photo taken
November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 is at approximately 8200
feet as it crosses the extended north saddle of Rose Peak.
Turn here for the Strayhorse Canyon Trail, Forest Service
Trail #20. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 descends around the north
side of Rose Peak as it passes above the headwaters of
Strayhorse Creek. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 offers views across the
Blue Ridge Primitive Area of the Apache National Forest.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Distance sign to Hannagan Meadow (20 miles)
and Springerville (69 miles). U.S. Highway 191 crosses
Sheep Saddle. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Advance signage for the Hagen Trailhead
and RV Pullout, 1 mile. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 crosses Strayhorse Divide
and straightens out for a short distance. Photo taken
November 11, 2007.
|
| Turn right for the Hagen Trailhead, Forest
Trail #31. Use this trail to descend into Strayhorse canyon.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Turn right for the Hagen Trailhead, or turn
left for the RV Pullout. At this point, the 40 foot truck
restriction is lifted. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| After leaving Strayhorse Divide, we continue
twisting and turning. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 has many sharp turns, and
no guardrails. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Do you detect a trend with the curves on
U.S. Highway 191? Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 is now twisting above the
headwaters of Eagle Creek. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 stays below Blue Peak,
staying between Raspberry Creek and Eagle Creek. Photo
taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 passes Strayhorse Campground,
at an elevation of 7780 feet. Photo taken November 11,
2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 now climbs around Blue
Peak, gradually gaining in elevation as it twists around
the slopes of the mountain, staying above Eagle Creek
below. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Distance sign to Hannagan Meadow (11 miles)
and Springerville (62 miles). Photo taken November 11,
2007.
|
| As U.S. Highway 191 climbs up to the Mogollon
Rim, it passes the 9100 foot level and enters Aspen forests.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 is now atop the Mogollon
Rim, the most prominent geological feature in Northern
Arizona. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 meets the Blue Vista picnic
area here. The picnic area is at an elevation of 9210
feet, along what is known as the Salt benchmark by USGS.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| The Salthouse
Trail, also called Forest Service Trail 18, descends
down Horse Creek. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 at mile marker 226. This
section of highway sees an average of 70 cars per day
(2006 traffic data) - yes, only 70, making this the least
trafficked state highway in Arizona. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| Advance signage for Forest Service Road
25. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Forest Service Road 25 departs here. Use
FS 25 to reach the headwaters of the Black River, as well
as the Reno Lookout. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| This is one of the few reassurance markers
for U.S. Highway 191. In the background is the turnoff
for KP Cienega Campground. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Now crossing above the headwaters of KP
Creek (at an elevation of approximately 9260 feet, the
highest point along the highway), we see a warning to
watch for elk. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 leaves the twists and turns
behind us now as we head north to Hannagan Meadow. This
section of road was rebuilt as part of the paving process
in 1962, and straightened out significantly - hence the
50 MPH speed limit. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 descends slightly along
the ridge between Fish Creek and Grant Creek. Photo taken
November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 meets the trailhead for
Forest Service Trails 93 (North
Fork KP Trail) and 315 (KP
Rim Trail) here. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 meets the Hannagan
Campground, as well as Forest Service Trails 73 (Steeple
Mesa Trail) and 76 (Foote
Creek Trail) here. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| On this road, the one upcoming business
is a major one! U.S. Highway 191 is seen approaching Hannagan
Meadow, the only business located along the Coronado Trail.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Hannagan
Meadow is a small lodge that is popular in the summertime.
The lodge dates back to 1926 when the first celebrations
for the then-dirt road's completion occurred. At this
celebration, Governor W.P. Hunt gave the road the name
"Coronado Trail", which is still used today.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| A reassurance marker is seen just after
passing Hannagan Meadow, one of the few we have seen in
the last 71 miles since Clifton. Photo taken November
11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 now paralells Hannagan
Creek and starts a descent. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 is cut into the sidewall
of Hannagan Creek, and crosses the creek here. Notice
the warning to watch for rocks for the next 10 miles.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 leaves Hannagan Creek and
travels northeast to cross the headwaters of Beaver Creek.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Advance signage for FS Road 26. Use FS Road
26 to reach Buffalo Crossing. Photo taken November 11,
2007.
|
| FS Road 26 departs from U.S. Highway 191
here. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 curves around the headwaters
of Castle Creek here. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 now travels up and around
Middle Mountain. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 snakes between several
creeks - this time travelling around Blue Creek. Photo
taken November 11, 2007.
|
| Just when we thought the twists and turns
were done, the Coronado Trail extracts it's revenge on
us. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 remains a scenic road to
Alpine. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| For the next round of descent, U.S. Highway
191 follows Coleman Creek into Alpine, with a steep descent.
Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 has a 7% descent rate for
the three miles into Alpine. Photo taken November 11,
2007.
|
| Advance signage for U.S. Highway 180, 1/2
mile. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| As we enter the valley of the San Francisco
River (the same one in Clifton), we slow down to approach
Alpine. Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
| U.S. Highway 191 enters the town of Alpine
here. Alpine is a small community located at the junction
of U.S. Highways 180 and 191, and was founded in 1880
by Mormon missionaries. The town was named for the altitude
it sits (8000 feet). Photo taken November 11, 2007.
|
Page Updated December 2, 2007.
