In all our years of travelling in our rv we had never been on this section of Highway 60 through the Salt River Canyon. It’s a fantastically beautiful drive. After passing through Globe, AZ the amazement starts. I just wasn’t expecting such diversity.
The first part is rolling terrain dotted with scrub vegetation, prickly pear cacti and assorted yuccas. Further in, I passed cottonwoods and Arizona sycamores and then as the road climbs even higher you are treated to a section of thick piñons and junipers, along with a few ponderosa pines. The steep hairpin descent down to the river is quite dramatic and the views are worth pulling over and getting out to see.
Down at the Salt River Canyon Rest Area I parked and got out to walk around. This is a great place to stretch your legs and take in the sights. Here, a pair of bridges — a newer vehicle bridge, built in 1996, and the historic 1934 bridge, which now is open to pedestrians — span the river as it roars over a series of rapids. I hiked down the stairs and along the rocky edges to get some different views.
The drive continues back up the other side of the river on a continually winding road. I stopped at a few more of the overlooks and then kept going to Show Low. We’re heading to Mancos, CO where Derek is going to work as Executive Chef for Mesa Verde National Park this summer. Don’t worry, we’re still living full time in our rv and having all the adventures.
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