Trail of the Mountain Spirits Byway (Big Loop for the locals) - By Dan Erhard

Second best motorcycle road in New Mexico. Best is nearby, the 152 to Hillsboro , which can be included in this loop if you are feeling frisky. While the hairpins from Lake Roberts to Pinos Altos are great, they might be just a tad too tight for maximum fun for many riders. But the south facing slope of the run to the Cliff Dwellings is just about perfect. Not too challenging so you can take the twists a bit faster, and better still, there is a few miles on that side of the mountain that is a perfect rhythm section that will have you squealing with delight. Even better on a rainy day. Perfect camber on the turns. Plan enough time to take the short hike to the cliff dwellings, or camp overnight and visit nearby hot springs on the middle fork trail of the Gila river. Springs are primitive, on the right side of the stream, only about a half mile up the trail from the parking.