Day 4 of our Arizona tour in the 2008 Scion xB was another short one, as the Arizona towns of Prescott and Wickenburg are only a scant 59 miles apart. The regular way, the way any navigation system will route you, is a sinuous, low-speed affair, especially the first 20 miles. It's the obvious choice in the right kind of sports car. But traffic can bog things down and my cohorts get carsick easily.
Locals know another route. The "back" way leaves Prescott via Iron Springs Road and passes through Skull Valley before rejoining highway 89 at Kirkland Junction. Going the back way adds 5 miles to the trip, but it isn't a boring straight-line affair, either. Large radius sweepers define the upper end of Iron Springs Road, the views are expansive, there isn't much traffic to deal with and there are plenty of passing zones. Not a bad bargain, really.
And then there is the Skull Valley General Store. You can't miss it if you know how to identify a railroad crossing, because that's where it sits. They sell T-shirts (black, of course) and mugs and a bit of everything. Don't bother to fill-up at the gas station acorss the street, however, as the hours are "flexible" and the age of the pumps and tanks is questionable.
A few miles after the road from Skull Valley rejoins highway 89, we came to the Yarnell grade. This precarious bit of asphalt clings to the side of a cliff. It's a divided road, so you don't see the cars coming up the other way. Two lanes wind up, but there's only room for one on the way down. It feels like a rally stage. If you get a clear shot at it, it's a heartstopping 4-mile stretch of road. Turn around at the bottom and you can go again. And again.
Fuel log: After two short days totalling 148.9 miles, we filled up near our hotel in Wickenburg: first, ourselves with mexican food at Anita's Cocina (ask the locals,) and then the Scion xB with 5.96 gallons of unleaded. Because of several stops, the scenery and other traffic, our average speed was a paltry 31 mph. Crunching all those numbers returns a fuel economy of 25.0 mpg.
Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing @ 16,157 miles
estreka says:
11:07 PM, 03/30/08
As fun as those mountainous roads must be, sports cars typically cannot reach these destinations. While an average driver worries about the hours of operation, sports car drivers are doubly concerned with the quality of the gasoline. Regular fuel has a high turnover rate in comparison to premium. I've bit the bullet a couple of times with stagnant gas.
ahightower says:
08:43 AM, 03/31/08
I'm really enjoying this series of posts. You've got me itching to take the "great American road trip" with the family. Like you, I wouldn't be able to make the most of those twisty roads in our SUV, but that scenery is beautiful.
az1983 says:
10:34 AM, 03/31/08
being and arizona boy, I know this road very well. Its an awesome drive!
autoboy16 says:
06:35 AM, 04/ 4/08
Cocina is spanish for Kitchen. Seeing as its a Mexican place, It fits. That road looks fun!!! But one wrong turn and things can get scary...
-Cj
actualsize says:
06:56 PM, 04/ 4/08
I meant ask the locals for directions to Anita's. Anyone in town will know what you're talking about, but you'd never see the restaurant when driving through. Despite the fact that the salsa comes in little carafes and you pour it on a plate instead of dipping your chip, it is worth the detour.
And yes, the road is fun. Too fun.