Hi, we are going to be snowbirds for the first time this year, and have reservations at Canyon Vistas in Gold Canyon. We will be heading south from Regina to Albuquerque, then taking the I40 west. The mapping program is taking us to Flagstaff, then south to Phoenix, then east to Gold Canyon, but my husband looked at the map and says why not take #77 from Holbrook to I20, then west to Gold Canyon. I feel that if that was a good plan, the mapping program would suggest it, as it looks like its about 100 miles shorter. I'm also worried about getting stuck in the desert if anything goes wrong. So I am looking for anyone who is familiar with the area to advise on whether this will be a ood idea. We are driving a 39' Kountry Star with a dolly and car, for a total length of 60 feet. Thx

I moved from that area 4 years ago. You will be fine! Although it's only 2 lanes, it is a good road. Watch out for windy conditions. Many rigs have been blown over on 77 and 277.

Canyon Vista....great choice. We spent 2 winters there a couple of years ago...

BuckBarker wrote: Many rigs have been blown over on 77 and 277.???? Never heard that one. :)OP: It's an excellent road from I-40 at Holbrook to take 77 into Show Low and then 60 to Globe and on to Gold Canyon.The only thing to be aware of is you'll be going down and up Salt River Canyon. It's very doable as many RVers do, us including, but it depends on your driving confidence and confidence in your motorhome. You'll be having 5-6% grades in the canyon going down and up. Then when you get to Globe and are heading to Gold Canyon, you'll have more 6-7% grades going down.If you choose I-17 from Flagstaff, it will be 4 lanes but you will still have some steep 6% downhills to Camp Verde and then a steep uphill and then another steep downhill, including runaway truck ramps. It's all downhill from Flagstaff to Phoenix as Flagstaff is a much higher elevation. Personally, we're fine with mountain driving and confident in our braking power. We would (& have) choose the Globe route into Gold Canyon because it's scenic and definitely not as much traffic as you'd have getting through the Phoenix area to Gold Canyon.Have a good trip!

If you like the hair standing up on the back of your neck that is a great road. I've been on that road many times. It is a beautiful drive with wonderous views especially Salt River Canyon. Like "2gypsies" said if you're not use to steep downhills and uphills on a mostly 2 lane road, it's a really white knuckle drive. Myself with my rig, I'm bit of a novice driving MoHo so I'd go the extra 100 miles myself.

But .. if all the talk about the Salt River Canyon bit makes you uncomfortable here is an easier alternative:just south of Holbrook (77) take 377 SW to 277/Heber City and 260 into Patson. Then 87 south toward Phoenix. Watch for the junction of the "Bush" highway toward Saguaro lake. Past the lake, at the first stop sign turn left - Usurty Pass road becomes Ellsworth. Continue south to US 60. Take that east to Gold Canyon Rv park. Enjoy your stay!! becomes

Highway 77 in Arizona - recommended for a 39' motorhome?

14 Replies

xctraveler
Explorer
Oct 09, 2014
Grades of 6 to 7% can be trying, but we have traveled on 13% grades without too much sweat. Keep the speed down on the descent using the transmission (or engine brake in a diesel) and use the service brakes to bring the speed back down after it has risen a bit. We have done this both in an 04 Southwind on a WorkHorse chassis and in our current DP always with our tow'd connected. No worry about going too fast climbing :)

If you have driven the Cabot Trail you won;t see any more difficult on this route. Do watch for high wind warnings, we have seen empty tractor trailers blown over in our travels. Also if there are windsocks flying as you exit a pass be prepared for a sudden gust (for the most part slow down a bit).
jesseannie
Explorer
Oct 09, 2014
We live in Show Low AZ and have spent time on the salt river canyon road it is beautiful and should be experienced. There are several pull-outs and scenic vistas. Yes there are hills but they are designed well and we have never felt like it was a "white knuckle" trip.
Enjoy the trip whatever route you take.
jesseannie
dsteinman
Explorer
Oct 09, 2014
I should also mention NM 177 is very scenic. There is a pull-out with a nice view of the valley on the right. You drive past old lava flows, and there is an arch on the left. But we stopped at these another time in a car, so I don't know what they are like with the RV.

David
Executive45
Explorer III
Oct 09, 2014
You don't say WHEN you're going....Flagstaff gets snow as do the White Mountains which is where ShowLow is. CrabbinCabin also gave you an alternative, but it's PAYSON not Patson, if you're mapping it. They also get snow, not as often, but they do, especially late Nov early Dec.

On another note, did you check with Gold Canyon and get the "all inclusive" rate?? They're like a KOA, charging extra for trash, water etc. Otherwise they have lots to do there.......Dennis
Robin_n_Marian
Explorer
Oct 09, 2014
dsteinman wrote:
Another, even shorter route is to take NM 117 before Grants to NM 36 and then to US 60. We have done this before. NM 117 and 36 are 2 lane road without shoulders, but there are not any cliffs or anything like that. But we are used to these roads and driving in the mountains.

David

we have looked at this, and my DH likes this route, looks like we might take it! Thanks!
J-Rooster
Explorer
Oct 08, 2014
I had no trouble on that route with my 36' RV and there was snow on that road when I was on it last.
Robin_n_Marian
Explorer
Oct 08, 2014
We have made 3 trips across Canada,(2 in the motorhome) and driven the Cabot Trail, so I don't think the grades will bother DH but I will give him all the feedback, and he can make the decision, since he does all the driving.
Thanks so much for the replies! Very helpful as always!
dsteinman
Explorer
Oct 08, 2014
Another, even shorter route is to take NM 117 before Grants to NM 36 and then to US 60. We have done this before. NM 117 and 36 are 2 lane road without shoulders, but there are not any cliffs or anything like that. But we are used to these roads and driving in the mountains.

David
ronfisherman
Moderator
Oct 08, 2014
If you like a great scenic drive. It's a good road to travel. I have done it a couple of times with my Super C towing. May do it again this year depending on weather after we visit friends in Truth or Consequences, NM. Will take 60 all the way to Mesa, AZ. Here is a good video of a Salt River Canyon drive.
crabbin_cabin
Explorer II
Oct 08, 2014
But .. if all the talk about the Salt River Canyon bit makes you uncomfortable here is an easier alternative:
just south of Holbrook (77) take 377 SW to 277/Heber City and 260 into Patson. Then 87 south toward Phoenix. Watch for the junction of the "Bush" highway toward Saguaro lake. Past the lake, at the first stop sign turn left - Usurty Pass road becomes Ellsworth. Continue south to US 60. Take that east to Gold Canyon Rv park. Enjoy your stay!! becomes

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Highway 77 in Arizona - recommended for a 39' motorhome?

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