This is an amazing day ride. It combines so much neat and varied country, this could be one of the best rides in Arizona. A biker friend told me about this ride years ago, and I have been riding it ever since. There are many ways to get out of Phoenix to Wickenburg, which is the first leg of the journey. My favorite way is to scoot up Interstate 17 out of Phoenix to the Carefree Hwy exit, turn left or west back over the freeway on the Carefree Hwy (which is state Hwy 74) for 36 miles to the stop sign intersection of US Hwy 60, turn right on 60 and go the last 11 miles into Wickenburg. This is the quickest, most scenic route to Wickenburg. You can go out Grand Avenue which is Hwy 60 that cuts on a diagonal out of Phoenix, but this way is full of traffic AND many 6 way stop lights as the road cuts across town, yuck! Your choice of roads, but I far prefer the first way.
Back to once you turn off Interstate 17 onto the Carefree Hwy. 13 miles from this intersection is the entrance to Lake Pleasant. There is a nice viewing area of the lake and surrounding area at the visitor center, but alas, like most Arizona lakes, they have all been turned into fee areas. Not so long ago, most of Arizona’s lakes were free, but not any more. After you leave the Lake Pleasant area, again heading west on Hwy 74 you cross 23 miles of upper Sonoran desert. This is pleasant, if not spectacular. Sometimes you can see glider pilots and ultra-lights flying over this area.
Again, at the junction with Hwy. 60 turn right and travel the last 11 miles into Wickenburg. The last several miles the road parallels the Hassayampa River. Hassayampa Cycles is on your right side as you traverse this stretch of road. They sell and service the popular motorcycle brands.
Wickenburg, known as the Dude ranch capital of the world, began life as a gold mining town. http://www.wickenburg.com/ or http://www.azohwy.com/w/wickenbu.htm. There is a neat museum called the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, which houses lots of western stuff including paintings by the famed cowboy artists Russell and Remington.
A very good place for Mexican food is Anita’s Cocina (or kitchen). It is very biker friendly and the food portions are large. Ask anyone in town how to find it.
When you get into Wickenburg, continue down the “main drag” until you come to an intersection, with a traffic light, marked US Hwy. 93. Take this right and follow it out of town. There are several gas stations on your way out, if you need as the British say “petrol”. Ride 6 miles and take the turnoff to Congress, which is State route 89. 10 miles lands you in Congress, not that Congress! Not much here anymore, except some retirees. Here is where the road gets really good. In the distance you can see a very large hill. This is called Yarnell hill and it’s one really curvy piece of pavement. Local bikers have been riding up/down Yarnell hill for years. Unfortunately, some have died here as well. Just trying to get that last ounce of speed… Don’t do it. Take your time and look at the valley below and enjoy. At the top of the hill is Yarnell. http://www.arizonan.com/yarnell/ There is a little restaurant on the right side of the road here and I have gotten a burger here and it was ok, but I have heard some motorcyclists got 86’t here (don’t know the whole story), so it’s your call if you are hungry. I’d say wait until you get to Prescott, which has a lot more, and better choices. One thing you might want to see in Yarnell is St. Joseph’s Shrine. This is located several blocks off to the left or west of the highway on Shrine Drive. It is a small street and you must really be looking for it, or you will miss it. Or, just ask someone and they will give you directions. The shrine has life sized statues with the 13 stations of the cross woven into the boulders of the hillside. I have visited this place a number of times and it can be very serene. Donations are accepted.
Now its time to finish the 32 miles into Prescott. Next is Peeples Valley, which has some great ranch scenery, on past Kirkland Junction and up over the mountains into Prescott. This is some great riding! Be aware that the elevations change by some thousands of feet, in the upside direction. It can be very warm in the valley and 20 degrees or more, cooler in the mountains. Again, you packed your jacket and gloves so you’re ok, right?
Once in Peeples Valley there is an alternate way into Prescott that I will mention. It also is quite scenic, but it is not as nice as staying on Hwy. 89. Anyway, here goes. About 10 miles north on 89 from Peeples Valley is a road going off to the west. This is State 96 and there is a small sign that says Kirkland. If you follow this 4 miles down the road you will come to Kirkland Bar & Steakhouse. This is a historic western stop and as such has quite a bit of western “ambiance”. http://www.workingmat.com/Kirkland.html I have eaten here once and the food was good. So if you are hungry you might want to do this short “detour”. The only caution is that they close after breakfast and lunch so watch your time if you want to eat here. If you want to continue on this road to Prescott turn right in Kirkland on County 10 and follow it 25 miles on into Prescott. There is some scenic road here, but I still prefer the other way on Hwy 89. Just my humble opinion.
In Prescott be sure to spend some time on Whiskey Row, which is west of the county courthouse grounds at dates from the 1870’s. It is said that at one time tunnels existed underneath the Row connecting the various saloons and bawdy houses, and that a man never even had to step outside to find all the illicit pleasures of the Row. There is an old time saloon that caters to bikers called the Bird Cage Saloon, and it often features live bands on weekends. They also make a mean Bloody Mary. An excellent place for lunch (check out their specials) is the Palace Hotel & Bar. This landmark is just down from the Bird Cage Saloon and was built in 1877 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Its story is detailed at: http://www.prescottaz.com/vircity/daytrip/wskyrow.htm. The courthouse grounds are a great place to take a quick nap on the grass if you are tired. Done it many times. Prescott frequently has “doings” on the courtyard grounds, so if you are lucky or contact their Chamber of Commerce (1-800-266-7534) you can find out all about what is happening on any particular day. Or check out this thorough internet site: http://www.visit-prescott.com/default.htm. Prescott boasts it has the oldest continuous rodeo still in existence. I don’t know about that, but it is a great one that runs over the fourth of July weekend. For the gamblers there is Bucky’s Casino on a hill at one end of town. http://www.buckysresort.casinocity.com/ If you are looking for a first-rate hamburger and shake check out Kendall’s Famous Burgers & Ice Cream opposite Whiskey Row on the east side of the courthouse square. A homemade breakfast can be had at Apple Pan Too just off of Whiskey Row at 510 W. Gurley St.
Now rumble out north of Prescott 5 miles on Hwy. 89 to just north of the Granite Dells, where the highway intersects with the new Hwy. 89A. Take a right here on 89A and follow it a spectacular 26 miles up to the old mining town of Jerome. This is fabulous riding with many switchbacks and drop dead views. When you come into Jerome a great burger can be had at the Haunted Hamburger or a cold brewskie at the Spirit Bar. Ladies, this is boutique heaven, so guys be prepared to let the gals do a little shopping.
From here head down the hill 10 miles into Clarkdale/Cottonwood and then another 12 miles on Hwy 260 to the Freeway I17. From here it is a 74 mile straight shot back into Phoenix. This is one fabulous day ride!

See MapQuest at the following address for a map on this ride. Once online, click the web site.

Note: You will always want to click on “Big Map” which is on the upper right hand corner of the initial map to get your proper starting map!

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?zoom=4&city=Wickenburg&state=AZ