views. After a few miles back down the hill, I took the first available crossover and headed back up Yarnell Hill. I consider this backtrack bonus twisties.
After cresting the mountain, I rode through the quaint town of Yarnell before continuing the northern trek. At this point, the air had cooled over 30 degrees from the morning air in Phoenix, so I closed a few vents on my jacket. After a beautiful mountain roll, I came to Kirkland Junction where my GPS wanted me to exit the 89 toward Skull Valley. That is a beautiful ride in its own right, but I had my sights set on another cluster of amazing curves.
After the small town of Wilhoit, the ride becomes as tight and entertaining as you will find. I downshifted at the same time that my heartrate took a decided uptick. The wellmaintained asphalt coils instantly into a perfectly- banked series of curves reminiscent of an extra- long version of the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca. It is not often that I grind a peg on the tall GS, but I did so twice on this wonderful stretch.
The road ultimately leads to the historic mountain city of Prescott. There are ways to navigate around the heart of the city, but I never miss an opportunity to ride down the infamous Whiskey Row and beside the city’ s beautiful central square. I continued northeast through Prescott Valley toward Mingus Mountain.
Ascending Mingus Mountain on State Route 89A, I experienced an incredible array of turns. There are big sweepers, tight banks, and hairpins that tested my skills and sidewalls as I crested the mountain and then started the descent. Tall pines lined the road and often broke to reveal some of the best views in the world, and that is not hyperbole. The next
Clockwise from top left: Some of the best hairpins in the Southwest are featured on this loop ride. Jerome attracts thousands of motorcyclists each year. The view over Jerome into the Verde Valley is more than impressive. The scenic route over Mingus Mountain spans desert to tall pine ecosystems. Historic buildings in Jerome are worthy of a walking tour.
landmark is the historic mining town of Jerome. This is the approximate halfway point of the ride. I stopped for lunch at the Haunted Hamburger Restaurant, which offers great food and stunning views all the way to the red rocks of Sedona.
My post- lunch ride took me the rest of the way down Mingus Mountain to the bustling Verde Valley, where I passed through Clarkdale, Cottonwood, and then Camp Verde. State Route 260 led me over the Verde River and back through the mountains southward. From Camp Verde, the road begins an ascent that features long, fast, sweeping corners toward Arizona’ s Mogollan Rim.
I rode through the beautiful mountain towns of Strawberry, Pine, and Payson. In Payson, I fueled up for the last leg of this ride. State Route 87 is the perfect wind down on this mega- loop. It is an interesting divided road on which the northbound and southbound lanes cross on overpasses at several points. It’ s an interesting and entertaining example of engineering that took me from the tall pines down to the tall saguaros.
As the traffic slowed me back down in the heat of the Phoenix area, I was tired and fully satisfied. This is a ride that demands planning, as riding gear changes will be required. There is 7,000 feet of elevation change and the possibility of more than 50 degrees of temperature variation. You can ride under clear skies in Phoenix and then experience thundershowers in the mountains, so be prepared.
56 / OCTOBER 2026 / RIDERMAGAZINE. COM