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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: nwguy on November 06, 2025, 09:02:26 AM

Title: Arizona in the spring. How early?
Post by: nwguy on November 06, 2025, 09:02:26 AM

If you were to plan a trip through the curvy, mountainous roads through Arizona in the spring, how early could you go and expect high altitude roads to be free of snow so a motorcycle could ride through? Examples of roads include:

191 from Alpine to Safford
89A and 89 from Flagstaff to Wickenburg
The road to Mt. Lemmon

Would mid-May be pushing it? Late May? I know it depends on the year, but for the purposes of planning...

Title: Re: Arizona in the spring. How early?
Post by: Tom on November 06, 2025, 01:14:29 PM

Take your leathers and zip out liners.  Cool to cold temps.  No snow for the most part. 

Title: Re: Arizona in the spring. How early?
Post by: Vagrant on November 06, 2025, 01:21:48 PM

I have pulled off mid April some years. Most though mid May is totally safe. Electric gear is nice. In May most of the sand used on 191 is off the corners.

Title: Re: Arizona in the spring. How early?
Post by: Rebochi on November 06, 2025, 03:40:14 PM

   191 will have large patches of ice January and February, same with 89 and 89A.

Title: Re: Arizona in the spring. How early?
Post by: Bisbee on November 06, 2025, 03:49:27 PM

On 191 - The Devil’s Highway - try to stay a night at Hannigan Meadow Lodge. 100 year old lodge, good food, beer, wine. Listen to the elks bugle at night. Highly recommended. Make sure you fill up. No gas from Alpine to Clifton.

Title: Re: Arizona in the spring. How early?
Post by: JJ on November 07, 2025, 06:17:33 AM

Overall, around mid-May is your safest bet. :thumb: :bow: :boozing: :cool: 

I also agree with all the other comments Guzzi forum enthusiasts have previously stated... :thumb:   :cool:

Title: Re: Arizona in the spring. How early?
Post by: travelingbyguzzi on November 07, 2025, 07:47:10 PM

I rode 191 in late April a couple years ago. A bit of snow beside the road, in the shade, on northern slopes. Mid May should not be a problem.

Title: Re: Arizona in the spring. How early?
Post by: Grabcon on November 08, 2025, 07:29:36 AM

I use Accuweather and look at historical data to see the previous year or two of conditions based on month, week day, etc.

Title: Re: Arizona in the spring. How early?
Post by: Rebochi on November 08, 2025, 08:18:40 AM

        When you are in the Alpine area head east to Reserve New Mexico for lunch at Ellas.  Outstanding New Mexico style food and the best Chili Rellenos that I have ever had
(https://i.ibb.co/YT0kVx6N/IMG-20220819-102839151-HDR-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YT0kVx6N)