The Devil's Highway

April 20, 2026

The Devil's Highway

AKA The Coronado Trail

Personally, I like Satan's Serpent better. But nobody asked. 😡

It is now officially Route 191.

But it wasn't always so. The road was originally Route 666, until the signs kept being spirited away. 😂 Shocked, shocked, I say!

Route 666 was once named by the Federal Highway Administration as the curviest road in the US, with 460 turns in the 120 miles through the White Mountains of Arizona, stretching from Morenci in the south, to Springerville in the North.

Route 666 was dedicated in 1926 at Hannigan Meadow, where a lodge was later established. Nicknamed The Devil's Highway, in 1993 it was changed to Route 191 and became the Coronado Trail, a National Scenic Byway.

In other words, a good riding road. 😂

Gina's ready to go.

As always, the back way through Bonita.

I meet Dave, my good friend from Silver City, NM, at (of course) the Miner's Diner in Morenci.

The Morenci mine is its own story...it is the largest producer of copper in America. Operating non-stop, processing 700,000 tons of rock each day, and producing 840 million pounds of copper each year, the mine has left a mark. You can see it from space, courtesy of NASA.

You can also see it clearly on the Relive app:

Relive 'The Coronado Trail'

Just north of the mine, you enter the Apache National Forest.

It's a fun ride, but boy, the road is in bad shape. Broken pavement, tar snakes everywhere, hasty patches with gravel all over the road. Too bad.

Our overnight is the Sportsmans Lodge in Alpine; been staying here for 20 years now, still owned and run by Frank and Phyllis; and Frank's a rider. Spotless as always, with bike cleaner and towels set out in front of your room. There's a reason I keep going back.

You're up there too...about 8000 feet.

Tucked in for the night...which will drop into the low 30s...brrrrrrrrr!

A short stroll around the corner for drinks and dinner at Foxfire, a surprisingly nice restaurant for such a small town.

The next morning, breakfast at the Bear Wallow Cafe while we wait for the temperature to come up.

The route home is through New Mexico, south on 180, then heading into Arizona on 78. I have to say, I like this route better, especially North to South. Not as tight, but still fun and great views. There's also pavement...