ADVrider - Mogollon Mining Town

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- - Mogollon Mining Town (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=832724)

Mogollon Mining Town

After last weeks fall colors ride, and the exploration that was revealed, I had to return while the weather is PERFECT!

I enticed(lied to) my buddy Pigman about beer, hot chicks, gold and silver and twisty roads.

I did not lie about the twisty roads:lol3:lol3:lol3:lol3http://montek.smugmug.com/Other/catw...walk-049-M.jpg

We met up at the Chevron in Pinetop AZ, elevation 7,500 ft. Time was 7:30 a.m. and it was 36 fricken degrees:huh and we were traveling up to the pass at 9,000 ft. which would be a bit cooler:eek1.

Meet and Fuel
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It was a chilly ride over the top to Eager/Springerville - but my hands were toasty warm:clap . Heated grips on and hands snuggled in my hippo's ---- oooohhh dats warm in dare!

So, if you looked at last weeks ride, you saw some of the colors. Stopped and the same Sunrise Ski Area junction and snapped a few more pics to compare. Colors were a bit better this weekend

Last Weekend
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This weekend
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Met a number of bikes coming over the top so we weren't the only ones getting an early start for the day. Once we started the downside going into Eager, it did start to warm up a bunch. From here we were headed to Alpine for Coffee and eats.

After seeing the colors that were present, I could have spent the day chasing colors again. But after the lies to pigman, I felt obligated to atleast give him a good breakfast!!!!

As we were running to Alpine, perhaps a click above the speed limit we ran up on these guys
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As the morning went on, the temps went up rapidly and was really nice. We started to see many moto's out joining us on this fine day. By the time we arrived in Alpine at 8:30, i think we saw 10 bikes on the road. Got one of the guys as i was going by, sort of.

http://montek.smugmug.com/Other/catw...walk-007-M.jpg

Aahh coffee is almost served.

THE breakfast stop - food is good and the owner is WOW, you gotta go there and stare she's a knock-ou
t 12 on a scale of 10. She gets 2 points just for livin' n workn' in the high country.
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A big thank you is what you get at the bear wallow when you pay and a bigger one outside

http://montek.smugmug.com/Other/catw...walk-069-M.jpg

The food is fantastic and the service, well, you can stare while you wait - they are busy all the time so you do usually wait. Stop here and support small town marka. The bike crowd at the Wallow

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Did you notice the cool brain saver on the cruiser, the purple one, if were a chick, thats what I'd have

http://montek.smugmug.com/Other/catw...walk-010-M.jpg

After food, coffee, and eye candy, we hit the road. We headed out of alpine on Hwy 180 headed for
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Met more riders on our way, maybe another dozen. Mixed bikes, cruisers, sport tourers, hooligans, adv'rs, all out enjoying the weather. was able to get these guys

http://montek.smugmug.com/Other/catw...walk-015-M.jpg

After Alpine, fast, twisties await for the rider and his mount. Doesn't much matter what you ride, this rode is a blast. Its not like the old 666 with its tight turns and switch backs, 180 is loaded with fast long sweepers - like 40 miles worth. It straightens out for a strectch but as you get close to alma and glenwood it twist back up. The turn off to Mogollon is on one of the straight parts and makes it easy to find. Its also very well marked.
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All the above signs, plus 3 more are located at the junction on 180 - so if you miss it, your kind-of-a-dumb-ass!
If dirts your thing, thats how I found it. I came in from the top or backside last week. Long story, you don't want to follow my route, but there is good dirt to get there from the back side. You come in from snow lake area, beautiful back country riding.

Love signs like this, moto translation, good stuff ahead
http://montek.smugmug.com/Other/catw...walk-031-M.jpg

The road up to Mogollon is a hoot. Not really a tear it up hoot, more of a enjoy the tight switchbacks, hoot. It is a 2 lane for 3 miles. The last 6 miles is a single wide road so ya kinda pay attention. A large portion of the six is blind corners and blind switch backs so rippen it up ain't a good idea.

Finally the town
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I'm a techy dumbass! I wasn't watching the settings on my camera close enough and a large protion came off with a blue exposure. Sorry, but it will give you an idea of the town. You really need to get there!
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There is a museum in town and is staffed with a very knowledgable historian. Asked about population - answer? At the hey day of Mogollon around 4,000 to 5,000. 3 general stores, 14 bars, and one big ass jail, cause ya don't have 14 bars and no trouble. Most likely the town held steady at 1,400 to 2,500. 14 bars, sheesh thats a lot of hookers:evil

more townhttp://montek.smugmug.com/Other/catw...walk-073-M.jpg

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Iside the purple onion
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busy place
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Just made it:eek1. Glad we came down sunday. DO NOT GO THERE THIS WEEKEND

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tHIS IS WHAT I'M TALKIN BOUT, BABY

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And this
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Asked the historian about robberies -- This may be an old town, and maybe people weren't so smart back then, but they DID have a solution to cut out the bandidos from stealling the gold and silver. They produced all bars in 1,700 pound bars. pretty much eliminates throwing a bar or 2 in the saddle bags. He went on to tell us the largest load taken out by wagon required 26 horses to draw the wagon out of the mountains. Now thats horse power.
More town

look back behind, see the doors going into the mtn!!!!
http://montek.smugmug.com/Other/catw...walk-027-M.jpg

a little closer

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more later, I'm tired

You are not allowed to say that the owner was a 12 and not include a photo.

But good ride report. I really wish I lived somewhere were I didn't have to ride so far to get into the middle of nowhere!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montek (Post 19778200)

more later, I'm tired

:lurk :wave

Nice report.

Didn't it burn bad behind Mogolllon in this year's fire? :ear

How are ya man - its been to long - need to meet up somewhere next summer.

.

Didn't it burn bad behind Mogolllon in this year's fire? :ear[/QUOTE]

It did, more info coming on that