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1.START-END WEST: Three Way 2.TOP, 6300ft 3.route crosses into New Mexico 4.START-END EAST: low point at Mule Creek. There are no higher route elevations on Az78 before the jct with US160.

Approaches

From South. Three Way is an appropriately named intersection on the map. There may be a house there too. ... And this is the best way to leave Three Way on a bicycle. Of the three, this road has the least traffic, the most degrees of curvature and the best scenery. The dessert hills ahead to the east are the goal. First the road follows a scenic alluvial fan, as an approach to where the rocky cliffs start. But wait, the next fan over to the north really is a better choice for this approach, and so the road descends through a small ravine and tries its luck on that fan.

Yes - this looks promising. Wide large radius bows climb up the range. Progress can be measured in relation to several memorable rocky islands of sorts. Near the top of the plateau a rocky gate signals the entrance into a more peaceful forested section. Without studying a map, you never know around here how this will turn out. This could be just the beginning of a multi step climb. But actually the top is close at hand, hidden in obscure dark forest, without a sign or a hint that it is the top, only about 300ft higher, after saying goodbye to the great views.

From North. (described downwards). A gentle decent leads to a pleasantly forested low point, before another small climb propels the rider into New Mexican territory. This second climb is around 300ft. But there is no way to make it a 500ft climb. So I will not count this as a separate summit. Crossing over the top a distant view of the Gila Mountains look especially impressive when it just snowed the first time in the fall. On this 4th of November it seems I have the smooth pavement, the snowy mountains and the stately colorful trees all to myself. A fast decent leads to a closed post office that is honored with a name on the map: Mule Creek.