The Alternate Loop adds about 260 miles to the trip. In this map,  the red line is the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway; and the blue line is the Alternate Loop.The Alternate Loop is merely one suggested way to bypass Forest Development Road 150 if you choose to do that. It isn't a designated part of the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway, and so isn't marked as such with road signs. However, it's easy to navigate. To avoid the high-clearance section of the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway without doubling back over the route, take the Side Trip toward the Gila Cliff Dwellings (past the turnoff for Forest Development Road 150). Continuing on to the Cliff Dwellings is highly recommended, and then you can double back to catch the Alternate Loop. At the junction of Highway 15, which is a "T", go toward Pinos Altos and Silver City. (That's a left turn; a right turn will take you to the Cliff Dwellings. So if you're coming from the Cliff Dwellings, just continue forward). In Silver City - which is a fine place to spend a day, by the way, particularly in the old downtown area - connect with Highway 180 going east (which is a right turn). Stay on highway 180 for about 140 miles, through Cliff, Buckhorn, Pleasanton, Glenwood, and Alma, to the junction of Highway 12. Take a right on Highway 12 and drive for about 70 miles through Reserve, Cruzville, Apache Creek, Aragon, Old and New Horse Springs, and up to Datil. At Datil, take a right on Highway 60 and drive for 15 miles until you reach the turnoff for the VLA (where the opening sequence of that space movie with Jodie Foster was filmed)... this is Highway 52 and is a maintained gravel road once past the VLA. Stay on it for just over 50 miles; once you hit pavement, you've rejoined the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway about 10 miles north of the Winston/Chloride Side Trip. If you wish to take the Scenic Byway 'backwards' to Wall Lake, any vehicle should be able to navigate the maintained gravel road after the Beaverhead Work Center without difficulty. |
