December Phoenix drive to ????

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Okay... I realize that it's almost December and that the big holidays are just around the corner. Nevertheless are their any Phoenix area Lotus drivers up for a pre-winter cruise? I've already been to Tortilla Flats, Prescott and Sedona over the past month... so preferably somewhere different. Forget about all the shopping, cleaning, relatives, pressures, stress... etc... Let's go out and enjoy another adventure. So... submit you ideas, suggestions, destinations, and dates, then let's see what happens!

[nvrblu]

I don't know if I'll be available, but...

Tonto Natural Bridge is not far from Payson. The road from Phoenix to Payson has constantly been updated since I moved to Arizona in 1980. It's mostly divided now... used to be a lot of twisty 2-lane... with a lot of congestion. From east Mesa, it's about 1h15m to Payson and another 20m to the Tonto Natural Bridge.

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Originally Posted by nvrblu

I don't know if I'll be available, but...

Tonto Natural Bridge is not far from Payson. The road from Phoenix to Payson has constantly been updated since I moved to Arizona in 1980. It's mostly divided now... used to be a lot of twisty 2-lane... with a lot of congestion. From east Mesa, it's about 1h15m to Payson and another 20m to the Tonto Natural Bridge.

Thanks Steve,
Good suggestion. I've never been there before. Any photos of this site? Did you finally get your Elise back? Is it ready for a cruise?

Some fellow LOOP members sent me emails suggesting a southern trip this time,which sounds like a good idea too. Tony suggested Tombstone, which I have not been to since I moved to AZ. Mike suggested a drive up to the top of Mount Lemmon. He stated "The route to Tucson is a bit dull, but the last hour has fabulous curves, beautiful scenery, and a great view. We could avoid I-10 altogether and use the state highways 87, 79, and 77. It should take about 3 hours whether we go via I-10 or all 2-lane roads. For those of you with carburetors, bring your screwdrivers - the elevation is 9,100 ft at the top!"

Don concurred on the climb to the top of Mount Lemmon Trip.

Any one else game for a trip to Tonto Natural Bridge or a southern trip to Tombstone or Mount Lemmon? Perhaps we can make this 3 separate destinations!

Add your thoughts, or intentions!

[nvrblu]

My Elise is back, however a recent out-patient procedure may prevent me from taking any road trips for the next couple of weeks.

Mt. Lemon would be great but it may not be a good time. I think it snowed on the mountain last week. There are two ways to get to Tucson from the Phoenix area. I-10/I-17 is not much fun. The other route would be along US-60 to Florence and then down through Oro Valley.

Salt River Canyon is another possibility...

If you'd like to consider a longer drive some time, check out the road from Clifton/Morenci to Alpine... 80 miles of nothing but twisties! ... I can't remember the highway number but it used to be US-666 -- appropriately named!

[azskycop]

I'm down in Oro Valley, let me know if you guys head to Mt. Lemmon. I don't think there is much snow up there right now but the storm today may drop a little.

[2006PolarBlueElise]

It looks like the Mt. Lemmon trip is on for this Sunday 12-9-07. We'll meet at 9:00am and then drive through Florence. Here's the basic itinerary:


Meet at the McDonald’s on the southwest corner of Riggs and Arizona Ave
(~146 mile trip to get to Mt. Lemmon from there)

Odometer: Heading: travel for:
0: Go East on Queen Creek Rd: 1 mile

1: Right on Arizona Ave (SR87) 4 miles

5 Left on Hunt Hwy, and then a
quick right. Continue on SR87 33 miles
SR87 Turns into SR287


38 Enter Florence

Right onto SR79 41 miles

79 Right onto SR77 16 miles
Left at Ina Rd 6 miles
Ina turns into Skyline Dr, then Sunrise Dr
In Tucson, SR77 turns into Oracle Road
Right at Swan Rd 4 miles

95 Left at Grant Rd 3 miles

108 Left at Tanque Verde Rd 3 miles

111 Left at Catalina Hwy 35 miles

Catalina turns into Mt Lemmon Hwy

146 Arrive - summit, Mt. Lemmon

So please respond here if you'd like to join in on this adventure! We'll need to know who's definitely going so that we don't leave any drivers behind!

[azskycop]

I have to work Sunday evening but I may be able to hook up as you drive through Oro Valley. Give me an idea of what time you will be hitting Ina Rd or if there is any quick stop planned as you come into Tucson before hitting the mountain.

Sound like fun, I have not been up to Mt. Lemmon yet and as of now....NO SNOW!

[Bane]

Be extremely careful on Lemmon guys.

The police presence there is insanely high and they LOVE to tag high profile cars. Don't ask me how I know

It's also cold enough to have black ice forming in several corners up there. If you don't live up there they may stop you and tell you to turn around (while giving you a ticket). This happened to my friend in an STi just this past weekend.

I will think about joining you but I'm leaning toward "no" right now :-\

There are lots of nice drives around the Tucson area. Please go to www.arizonarides.com and sign up. You won't have access to our forums until you prove you're a safe driver and not someone who will cause trouble. Other local car clubs hate us due to our elitist attitude but it keeps the bad apples away.

We do about 1 drive a month and have everything from base Civics, lots of Vipers, Z06s, tons of Evos/STis, occasional exotic, and my lil Elise.

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Is it "illegal" to drive there? Is it private property? What will they ticket you for? Possible snow conditions?

[azskycop]

Weather does not look good right now for Mt. Lemmon on Sunday. Storm coming in on Saturday will probably drop some snow up there.

Maybe another weekend?

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Well... based on current and predicted weather conditions, the Mt. Lemmon trip will be postponed until further notice.

Perhaps a non high-altitude cruise can be put in its place next weekend... weather permitting of course. If anyone is interested, post a response.

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Update... we are going on a cruise tomorrow morning... just not up top of the mountain (rain/snow/ice up there!). We're meeting at the McDonalds parking lot at the corner of Riggs & Arizona Ave. at 9:00 am... for any interested drivers. We'll decide our destination(s) there. So come on and join us if you're anywhere in the vicinity!