The Morenci Mine Climb from Clifton up Highway 191 is a visually striking and challenging road bike ascent, but be ready for a remote and winding road. As you climb from Clifton (around 3,500 ft), gaining roughly 3,600 feet over about 20 miles to the picnic site (around 7,100 ft), the most unforgettable scenery is the colossal Morenci copper mine itself, a vast, man-made excavation that dominates the landscape and offers a unique contrast to the natural arid mountains and canyons surrounding you. The highway continues to climb with numerous curves through increasingly rugged terrain, offering expansive views as you approach the HL Saddle area, where you'll find the picnic site.