The Road Less Traveled (Kingman To Oatman)

When you’re on your journey across America’s most famous highway, there are a few places that aren’t so easy to get to.  Route 66 from Kingman to Oatman, Arizona is a good example. Once you go past Crazy Fred’s Truck Stop, and continue following Route 66, You might notice a slight change…not only in the scenery, but also the elevation. It is a gradual uphill climb, heading towards Cool Springs Station. Along the way, you will probably notice some wild burros off the side of the road. What was once a filming location for the movie Universal Soldier, is now a touring stop along Route 66. When you continue west from there towards Oatman, the uphill climb gets a bit steeper. Beware: you are about to experience The Sidewinder. What you are about to encounter is 8 miles, and 191 curves….hairpin curves….and a sharp drop-off….you will have to drive very slow, if you want to survive.  Any vehicle over 20 feet long is highly advised not to attempt driving it. I barely managed to get through there in a full-size sprinter van….at 5 mph most of the way.  If you’re in an RV….don’t even think about it….if you want to go to Oatman, you will have to stay on interstate 40 west, into California, and come in from that direction….as well as leave back that way.  If you do manage to get there, you’ll see wild burros roaming the streets, and probably being fed by tourists. When I drove through town, one woman was feeding a burro potato chips….right out of the bag Please don’t do that. One of the shops in town sells carrots for you to feed them.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find a place to park, so I had no way of getting any photos there…..maybe next time.  By the way, there is at least one hotel with a restaurant in town. Until the next post, hasta la vista, and happy trails!