Lunch Ride: Goldfield, Arizona
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US-60 to Apache Junction, to AZ88 - Time: 1+ Hour, 53 Miles (from Central Phoenix)
Goldfield ghost town, is a great place to visit with the superstition mountains providing the perfect backdrop!
Goldfield was a 1890's mining town. There is something there for everyone, a place the whole family can enjoy. They offer panning for gold, horseback rides, a train ride, and even a mine tour! Goldfield makes for a nice short trip from phoenix located off the 60 (see map below) Walk through the town, enjoy the shops which are NOT overpriced for a local tourist destination. Watch the goldfield gun fighters shoot it out in the street, be careful about breaking the law you might end up with your neck in a noose located in the middle of the town! There are tons of great picture opportunities to be had in and around town. Experience the Old West, the way it used to be, Goldfield provides a unique look at life in the sonoran desert. There are a few shops to get refreshments, and quick meals, be sure to check out the Mammoth Steak House for some excellent grub! be sure to check out their website for a complete list of activities and times.
 http://www.goldfieldghosttown.com/
Lunch Ride - Tortilla Flats, Arizona
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Tortilla Flat, Arizona
Route: East Apache Trail (very curvy road – not for beginners) Click here for link to map.
Time: 1+hr
Distance: 54mi
You will pass Goldfield, which is another nice place to visit, and pass Canyon Lake. You will also go across two one-lane bridges. Traffic takes turns going east and west across these bridges. Tortilla Flat is the remnant of a historical "old west" town. It was a stage stop back in the early 1900s. The entire town is currently owned by two families and has a permanent population of six people. The entire town is less than 200 yards from one end to another and contains a restaurant and saloon, bbq place, gift shop, general store, one room school house (which is also a museum), and even an ice cream parlor. On the second and fourth Saturdays of the month they even have authentic gunfights every hour between 11:00am and 3:00pm. Keep in mind that it's a popular destination, so it sometimes makes finding parking difficult. It would probably be best to take this trip on a weekday.
Do you like "old west" towns? Do you like curvy roads? Do you like single-lane bridges? Then you'll love the ride to Tortilla Flat, Arizona. This is a fantastic lunch ride that will give you a bit of "old west" flair.
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Ride Report, and Pictures by: Frank T.
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Lunch Ride: Tortilla Flat, Arizona
