Cruised abandoned Route 66 in Arizona

[89AKurt]

Since my '68 is running so well, took the chance to go on some abandoned sections of Route 66 east and west of Ash Fork, Arizona. I had one goal in mind, and had success (besides not breaking down).

Welch Road is the access, which is to the left here. This is the 1932 alignment.


It's a rough road, more so at the culverts.


This is the east end of the segment, I-40 slashed The Mother Road here.


Looking west.


There is still intact asphalt, bisected by the Right Of Way fence.


I was here 8 years ago, spotted the hood down the hill. Found some other parts for the yard art pile.


But I couldn't pick this up.


The 1922 alignment is to the right. I'm on the 1932 alignment, used until the Superslab was built.


This is past where I came in, going west.


Looking east at the same spot. These straights must have been a relief between the notorious Ash Fork Hill and the next hill.


Getting close the the west end.


Locked and blocked at the west end.


Looking east from the gate. That is a deceptive hill, imagine Pre War vehicles. I am going to the right next.


Very nearby, is the start of the 1922 alignment, looks easy enough. (famous last words)


A typical culvert, half steel pipe.


Easy to miss if one doesn't stop, a survey marker.


Oh oh, had to plan this route!


Oh oh, it got real here, got stuck, had to use the little Army shovel. Now I want to get a Positrac read end!


Lucked out, got unstuck. You can see this from I-40.


Had a choice here, took the easier route.


Almost back to the Welch Road.


Wondered why I couldn't find this segment. The road went to the left.


Ash Fork, west end, a very short segment. Got a Route 66 sticker.


West of Ash Fork is the Crookton Road interchange. Everyone knows about the segment going west, but the EZ 66 Guide For Travelers book does not show this part that goes east towards Ash Fork. This is the start of the original red cinder asphalt.


Good thing I got new shocks, and bushings! Still enough to cringe.


The east end of this segment, Ash Fork is beyond.


Looking west, Seligman is the next distant town.


Concrete bridge, really need to go slow at each end. A Route 66 sign is painted on the end.


Glamor shots:







You can see this bridge from I-40.


Hope you enjoyed the slide show!
THE END

[Old_Gold]

great pics, gotta make that trip someday, thanks for the inspiration!

Jim

[Rods]

Very cool....

[notsolo]

Very nice, comercial quality photo's, Thanks for sharing.

[Bones72Super]

That was nice to wake up to Thanks for posting and great pictures

[special-K]

Thanks for the joy ride. You mentioned the red cinder asphalt and nostalgic memories conjured right up.

[Thealien]

Thank you

[72 tigger]

Nice- thanks for sharing!

[72c20customcamper]

I enjoyed that very much . We rode 66 as much as possible on our cross country motorcycle ride . Dont think I would do that section on a bike .

[BRL]

Great pictures!

You must have a lot confidence in your trucks reliability these days!

I might be tempted if I was driving a fully loaded water truck!

[geunther]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing. I especially liked the pictures of the culvert bridges.

Wife and I did a similar thing with the transcontinental railroad routing after watching the show, Hell On Wheels.

[too much stuff]

Cool. Spent some time cruising the back roads myself in that region. Thanks for sharing.

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

I enjoyed that very much . We rode 66 as much as possible on our cross country motorcycle ride . Dont think I would do that section on a bike .

Hey, I've been to that museum! I don't ride a motorcycle, guess it depends if you never ride on dirt. From the Superslab to the pavement, it's 0.3 mile. I would think you could weave around on the pavement, along the edge is more intact. You just can't go fast, that's what the Interstate is for. I suggest turning west, turn around at the gate and come back.

This is a screenshot of the Flickr map. I used the iPhone map app, with the satellite image enabled.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by 89AKurt

Hey, I've been to that museum! I don't ride a motorcycle, guess it depends if you never ride on dirt. From the Superslab to the pavement, it's 0.3 mile. I would think you could weave around on the pavement, along the edge is more intact. You just can't go fast, that's what the Interstate is for. I suggest turning west, turn around at the gate and come back.

This is a screenshot of the Flickr map. I used the iPhone map app, with the satellite image enabled.

I would do it on a BMW 1250 GS not on my Goldwing. We did mostly two lane roads there and back took 7 weeks

[57taskforce]

Nice, I’m gonna have to give that a try one of these days. Once the ls swap in the K20 is done It’ll be ready.

[yuccales]

Awesome pictures!

[Andy4639]

Very cool sir. Don't have anything like that here in SC. I don't think my 71 would be a good choice for that route though. It's a little to low for that kind of driving but would love to do it.

[georgieb51]

Thanks for an inspirational post!

[Sheepdip]

Very cool pics, never have explored that section. We have checked out areas near Winslow and Holbrook but it wasn't too far off the beaten path like your trip.

Thanks for sharing all the pics and info. Now a destination to explore for sure.

[Ol Blue K20]

Very nice, thanks for showing us. I didn't know that existed still. I feel the need for a road trip someday.

[NorCalC20LWB]

Great pics, cool adventure. The regular Rte 66 is pretty historical, did not know about the older ones, thanks for sharing!

[REDROCKER652002]

Awesome thread and pics. That is definitely a bucket list item when I retire. Either on the motorcycle or vehicle, whichever I am inspired to do at the time. Thank you for the detailed pics and thread

[maverickmk]

Thank you for posting this. I have been wanting to plan a road trip in my old Corvette along 66 and am now even more fired up to get my act together.

[special-K]

Hey, what are doing taking an old pickup truck out bouncing and bumping along on an unmaintained abandoned road in the high desert?

[slikside]

Dang, Kurt! That is a great catalog you put together there! Very cool being “out there”, I’m sure! Really well done! Thanks for sharing that.

How long did it take you to do the trip? How many abandoned miles?