Coronado Trail Scenic Byway
Touring the Coronado
| Departure: | Springerville & Eagar, Arizona |
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| Destination: | Morenci Open Pit Mine, Arizona |
| Time to allow: | 1 day |
Enjoy a trip that includes a unique landscape--from the earth tones of rock outcrops, high desert cacti, and shrubs to the lush greens of the conifer forest.
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Start: Springerville & Eagar
Visit the town of Springerville, known as the "Gateway to Arizona's White Mountains", where you can gather supplies for the various archaeological attractions nearby. Eager is a central point to many of the areas recreational opportunities.
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Stop 1: Casa Malpais Indian Ruins and Archaeological Park
Directions from previous place: The ruins can be reached from the center at 318 E Main St in Springerville, AZ. Park you car and hike up to the ruins.
Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour Take a close up look at a large Great Kiva, catacomb burials, an astronomical observatory and solar petroglyph markers at the Casa Malpais Indian Ruins. Covering over 17 acres, this preserved area is attributed to the Mongolian culture.
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Stop 2: Alpine
Directions from previous place: Starting in Springerville on E. Main St (US-180), go toward N. Supai St. Turn right to follow US-180 and then left on E. Central Ave. After .2 miles E. Central Ave becomes US-180; go for 24.1 miles until reaching the center of Alpine.
Distance from Previous Site: 27.1 miles / 43.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 33 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Visit the town of Alpine, which started out as a small fort and then later became a commercial hub for settlers and ranchers. Sitting along a mountain meadow at the base of rocky peaks, it's the perfect spot to get a glimpse of bald eagles, osprey, geese, and wild swans.
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Stop 3: Hannagan Meadow and Lodge
Directions from previous place: Drive south of Alpine on U.S. 191.
Distance from Previous Site: 22.4 miles / 35.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 36 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour 30 minutes In Hannagan Meadow, learn how the Coronado Trail earned its name, and rest at the rustic, 2-story lodge that provides scenic views of the forest and large meadow, oft frequented by elk and deer herds grazing at the meadows edge. From the lodge, you can hike, mountain bike or enjoy a day of cross-country skiing.
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End: Morenci Open Pit Mine
Directions from previous place: Starting on 576 R, turn right on US-191. Go 63.7 mi3 to arrive at the center of Morenci.
Distance from Previous Site: 63.7 miles / 101.9 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour 42 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour At the Morenci Mine Overlook get a glimpse of how mountains that have been and are being moved to produce the copper we need for our nation's homes, vehicles, and businesses.
