Tour of Gila Wilderness (New Mexico)

[rmoody]

Weather was too good to just stay home, so me and the '95 R1100GS went for a tour of the Gila Wilderness through Lake Valley to Hillsoboro, across Emory Pass and on to Mimbres, then back down to Deming, New Mexico. About 150 miles round trip with some great scenic views.

Southern New Mexico weather is perfect right now as the Spring winds haven't started yet and temps range in 50-70s.

:usa

[eljeffe]

Can you share the route with us? I have a trip that way this summer on my way to US 191 in AZ and was gonna pass through.

[Mika]

May I have more please? :lurk

[rmoody]

If you're heading east or west along I-10, get off in Deming, New Mexico and head north on Hwy 180. After a couple of miles turn east on Hwy 26 (Hatch Hwy.). Travel about 30 miles to Hwy 27 (Nutt) and turn left (north). Hwy 27 will take you right through Lake Valley (a ghost mining town you can tour for free, which by the way had one of the most pure silver strikes in history) and on up to Hillsboro. Upon entering Hillsboro turn left on Hwy 152 and head west. Once leaving Hillsboro and passing through Kingston (both old mining towns from late 1800s) you'll start climbing into the Black Range mts. The roads are good with numerous sweepers and sharp curves. It tops out at Emory Pass (you can pull over at the scenic overlook for a view of the Rio Grande Valley to the east). After that continue west toward San Lorenzo and then Mimbres. Once you hit Mimbres, there is a store and gas station. You can then go on into Silver City or turn left onto Hwy 61 and parallel the Mimbres river back to Hwy 180 and then south to Deming. Or you can turn right at Mimbres and go on up to Lake Roberts and the Cliff Dwellings (some of the most beautiful vistas I've ever seen). It's all worth exploring! :D

[PHMarvin]

RMoody's recommendation is fine, but why go to Deming first? Here is MY recommendation:
Turn north onto NM185 at Las Cruces. Ride through Radium Springs to Hatch. Turn west on NM26 in Hatch. Ride a little less than 20 miles, then turn north on NM27 to Hillsboro. Turn left (west) onto NM152 and ride over Emory Pass. You can turn north on NM35 to (through) Lake Roberts and then turn right (north) on NM15 to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Once there, spend a few hours going through the Cliff Dwellings OR turn around and ride to Silver City. You'll have to do that anyway, as there is no way out except to turn around and retrace part of your route, then go to Silver City. From Silver City, go north on US180 toward Alpine, AZ. After maybe 45 miles, turn left (west) onto NM78 and go through Mule Creek. Continue (crossing into AZ)until you reach US191. Turn right (north) onto US191, through Clifton, then through the next 91 miles of one of the best motorcycling roads in the USA to Alpine, AZ. Once there, any way you go is a great motorcycling road. Have fun!!!