Sight seeing around Cottonwood Az

Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum

Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Panman

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 10, 2007
Messages
2,989
Reaction score
1,345
Location
Stanwood, WA
Wife and I left the Washington rain belt about 1/29 and left 28 days of strait rain behind and herded 65 Ft of MH, MC & car to Cottonwood Az. It's not like you might think, the old man doesn't get to ride every day, I'm happy to get out once are twice a week, my wife's health could be a bit better but it is what it is. We only stayed at one place two days while headed south and that was at Orange Grove RV by Bakersfield Ca. All of the RV sites are in between Orange trees and you are allowed to pick a couple of sacks of oranges as part of your stay. We did and they are so good, juicy and still eating them!

As a couple we have did a bit of sight seeing, one day around Jerome the old mining town and another around old town Cottonwood and today some junk or treasure store stuff.  Jerome is a pretty interesting place with lots of mining history.

We also drove to Prescott to visit and old friend (Gary) who moved here in the beginning of December just a couple of months ago. He showed us around his new place and sat out on his deck and ate some munchies and talked for awhile. Gary lost his wife a little over a year ago and this is a fresh start for him as his boy lives down around Phoenix, he asked if we wanted to watch the video of pictures he had put together for Sandy's Memorial and we said sure, I hate it when I get those tears in my eyes and can't seem to swallow! I liked Sandra K a lot.

I always hope to ride more than I do but I have only had two good days so far. And happy to report both have been good, my first day couldn't have been better I made a nice loop like this.

https://goo.gl/maps/gVhhqnJ9Fz5KdeFBA

Hopefully I'll be able to figure out this hotspot stuff and post a few pictures. My elevation went from 3,100 ft where we are staying to 7,600 ft. I wore  my summer gear with the liners in and wore the heated liner als but never plugged it in! I could have a few times but didn't really have to. Rode for miles with snow along the road, not deep stuff just was there. The ride down the Canyon to Sedona from Flagstaff was a lot of fun, I'm on the Super Tenere and it's a great ride but down that Canyon I think I would have liked the FJR.

The next ride was up to Prescott pick up Med's for my bride the day after we visited Gary. I had only been on 89A to Jerome, taking it all the way to Prescott was a hoot! When we drove there we went out 17 the took 169 over to Prescott and glad I did the Mrs wouldn't have like it. :) Mingus pass is about 7,100 ft it had snow just a couple of days before so lots of snow along the Rd. Roads were clear and being a Thursday not to much traffic so the pace was brisk without being stupid. Been riding with the spot tracker just in case. 

We will be gone till May and will update from time to time.

 '

 
Jealous as hell Panman! Yes, it’s raining in the PNW again although we did have a couple decent days after the January/February deluge. 

Lots of exploring to do around the area you’re in. Enjoy the new terrain!!

~G

 
That Prescott, Jerome, Cottonwood area is nice and one of my Fargo Fire Department buddies moved there when he retired.   I rode through that area on the way to SW-FOG in 14 + 15.    The wife and I checked out some 55+ retirement areas to move to when the wife retires and we want to get the hell out of ND.

 
That Prescott, Jerome, Cottonwood area is nice and one of my Fargo Fire Department buddies moved there when he retired.   I rode through that area on the way to SW-FOG in 14 + 15.    The wife and I checked out some 55+ retirement areas to move to when the wife retires and we want to get the hell out of ND.
Abercrombie,

I flew my hang glider from Mingus Mt., before they had that nice launch ramp.  Got a mile above launch every day, before going anywhere.   Lotsa good long hang glider flights start from that place.  Man, if I moved there, I'd never get anything (else) done.   😎    Hang the sign on my door, "Gone Flyin', be back after dark."  Here in Utah, all of the mountain flyin' sites are snowed in now (and will be, for months).  Dang it . . .

Mingus Mt. Launch Ramp, GoogleEarth:

Long. 112° 6'57.91"W
Lat. 34°42'8.83"N
Eye altitude: 7950 feet
.

 
First, unlike ~G, I'm not jealous. I couldn't live in those terrible conditions. JSNS ...

86193258_10158033921519628_4870922599372161024_o.jpg


86276761_10158033921349628_298736879770009600_o.jpg


86174339_10158033921224628_3750514430987730944_o.jpg


And my view ...

86243780_10158033921564628_4512411229519609856_o.jpg


 
Good on yah PanMan! Love that area in you're now in.. 

..once drove a 28 foot 5th wheel UP to Jerome... What a mistake that was...

 
I like it this time of year, the locals tell me that during the summer it can get damm hot and humid. I like the Idea of doing the snow bird thing, getting away from the forever fall winter spring PNW drizzle and enjoying the mild winters of AZ and Cal.

We have a camp ground membership that we got thirty years ago so for my $500 a year dues I stay for 28 days for no more fees most of the time. Problem is that most of these places are out and away from things so usually no internet or phone service. Here I opted for a month in a 50 amp site and it's up on a hill so I'm getting 4G, happy wife sometimes a happy life...........

It has been cold at night but the days are like our summer time at home, 60's to 70's. Nice!

Just above Jerome on 89A.

IMG_20200208_152306236_zpsbj01vlyw.jpg
 

Looking over at Jerome from the St Park/Museum.

IMG_20200208_150044672_HDR_zps7kqk7aqf.jpg


Looking up at the mining pit from same.

IMG_20200208_150033038_zpszkzolcml.jpg


This is were the S-10 was sitting in one of my teaser's shots to Dave was.

IMG_20200207_115805094_HDR_zpsdxu0podl.jpg


This red stuff can get slick when your on a set of 90/10's, it had rained a couple of days earlier.

IMG_20200207_113605853_HDR_zpsrr168swa.jpg


A couple of shots of Mormon Lk, looks like a bird watchers paradise.
IMG_20200207_121344529_zpsxz3st8wu.jpg


IMG_20200207_122118519_zps2h2wcbhp.jpg


Mary's Lk was still frozen in places.

IMG_20200207_125221705_HDR_zpsruzibq3z.jpg


Didn't know this about the Osprey.

IMG_20200207_125207034_HDR_zpsdiv53pxr.jpg


We will be here in Cottonwood till 3/3 then spend a week heading to Pio Pico on Otay Lk's Rd east of Chula Vista for two weeks then head north to Rancho Oso by San Marco Pass. I might have see if I can find Creston Ca and start shouting DC's name!

 
If you haven't done it as yet, South on 89A to 89 into Prescott and continue for another set of great canyon twisties down Yarnell Hill and back up (very fast 4 mile climb), then the options of 96 to Bagdad, or 96 to 10 to Skull Valley and make the loop back to Prescott.  All fine roads for 2 wheels.  And, Thank You, enjoyed your trip report.

 
Life is good since moving to Prescott in '13.

Day tripping on all the roads you mentioned are indeed, fantastic, not to mention the miles of hiking trails, several lakes to kayak on and numerous Indian ruins to explore.

Stop by anytime.

 
Top