PHX - Montana Mt - Pinal Peak - Pioneer Pass

I've been eyeing up some dotted lines on my Delorme Gazetteer all summer in an area no-one seemed to have ridden. Pinal Peak at almost 8000 ft would be a great place to visit during the heat of the summer. Montana Mountain, a new favorite, is along the way and should round out the day.

Today's players include:

Glnn313 - KLR650
DR650Eddy - DR650
Cyberdos - DR650 (Welcome to AZ)
AZCacti - 950SE
Misery Goat - 950SE
Mark S - 640ADV (picked up along the way)
Nightstalker - 950ADV

A great crowd for this ride!

I left the house a 6AM to make the designated meeting point, McDonalds, of course, by 7AM. Traveling east, the sun was BLINDING!



McDonalds crew. Cyberdos flexing his muscles, he'd get plenty of muscle flexing later this day while picking up his bike.



Airing down the tires at Hewitt Station Road, we picked up Mark from Tuscan on his 640ADV.

Montana Mountain starts out easy enough, fast, long, straight, roller coaster ride.



I like to break the ice by being the first to hit the ground.



Cyberdos riding the sand, just like NJ.



Some photo's by AZCacti

In AZ, you have to ride sand and rocks! You don't have to squeeze between many trees though.

DR650Eddy

We started a gradual ascent.

Some photos by AZCacti





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Cyberdos



AzCacti & Misery Goat

SuperEnduro





Now we're starting to climb!

I took a side trail to gain some elevation and snap some pictures.



Eddie decided to follow me.









Eddie heading back down the side trail.

Mark





Eddie



Regrouping at a slippery switchback.



Here comes Misery Goat

Thanks for posting the RR. Never tire of seeing how beautiful and wide open that part of the country is.

Need some more pictures of Cyberdos picking up his bike.

Misery Goat spun out on one of the switchbacks and needed to complete some repairs.





Blinker, MIA.



Up, up and away.

Stay tuned...there's video too!

Much more coming...

Anyone need a roommate in AZ NJ does not look so good anymore :huh

awsome pics.Terry , i was looking up in z sky for clouds for possible T-storms

Terry- I'll give you five dolla to not post any. 5 DOLLA!

+1 We're all green with envy at the spectacular off-roading that's available to you guys. And legal to boot. I cant wait till my next visit out west.

hey,.....make your next visit out west , october 25 & 26...to the high desert of arizona, elev, 5K' +-.....
arizona trail riders (arizonatrailriders.com) is hosting a 2-day, gps, dual sport gathering in payson, arizona, that's smack dab in the geographic middle of az....
should be a good time,
it's a prelude to one of the ama national dualsport/ adventure ride events for next year...
how do i know all this?...it's in my backyard and has a high # on the fun meter....
i've ridden with some of these guys a little.........db

So, where was I before I was so rudely interrupted by the necessity to go to work...

Let's start with some more pictures by AZCacti

Misery Goat



Nightstalker







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We were getting ready to descend... We would be climbing back up the mountain in the distance.



AZCacti Video

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