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1.START-END SOUTH:bridge over San Pedro River on Hereford Rd 2.profile turns west on Az92 3.route turns north onto Az80 at Lavender Open Pit Mine 4.profile follows road through old town Bisbee 5.route stays left on unsigned road, direction Mule Pass 6.TOP, Mule Pass, 6040ft 7.Old Divide road joins Az80 after tunnel 8.profile turns left onto Az90 9.START-END WEST:bridge over San Pedro River on Az90

Approaches

From South, The lowest part of this valley is a magical spot, and this is where the profile starts. When judged by its water volume, the San Pedro River would be barely an a secondary irrigation ditch elsewhere, . But here it is a linear center of wild life, a comparative jungle of vegetation. The BLM has made this into the San Pedro Conservation area, and whatever road you use to cross it, you will notice it, especially on a bicycle. Rather than using Az92 the profile uses Hereford Road, which is an especially interesting crossing of this area and generally a much better ride than Az92. But to get to Bisbee eventually the route has to include Az92 and its frost damaged shoulder to the right of an obnoxious rumble strip.

Bisbee comes in parts. First there are a few businesses in "modern buildings" along Az92, including a supermarket, then after the turnoff onto Az80, a block of what looks like a stage set, complete with especially arranged old cars from the 50s and other car wrecks. It goes very well with the adjacent remnant of an open pit mine. But if you don't take the little detours, it's just good old four lane highway climbing. The actual old town Bisbee is another one of these detours. It has all sorts of interesting buildings and businesses catering to tourists. The choice is to ride through it or to view it from slightly above on Az92, not a bad choice either. When old Bisbee ends and the moment of rejoining Az92 draws near, an unsigned turnoff goes under Az92 for the short and sweet climb to this pass. It's really just a couple of turns that lead above the modern road and its short tunnel (which I almost want to call a bridge). Nontheless there is a fine view downvalley. On the top the viewshed changes to include a radio tower above.

From North. (described downwards) The decent before the Old Divide Road rejoins Az92 is barely worth mentioning. On this side it is a fast, smooth decent on the shoulder of straight, fast highway. As the profile turns onto Az90, only the distant ranges behind Sierra Vista and Tombstone limit the vista to the extreme horizon. The road continues to descend almost imperceptibly on the ever-so-slightly slanted alluvial fan. Again the noticeable low point, which is also the environmental high point, is the crossing of the San Pedro River.