Overall Route Rating
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4.5 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.5
4 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Bad Georgie (5 McR Points) on Jun 20, 2016

Rider Reviews

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Waypoint 12
2 McR Points
October 18, 2016
This is one of my favorite rides to see the fall…
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PhaedrusFlyz
149 McR Points
April 13, 2020
I've spent Labor Day Weekend Camping at Big Lake…
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Written Directions

Note: on the eastern end of this road, Three Forks Road is also referred to as National Forest road 249 and starts 1.8 miles north of Alpine. The road travels to intersect with AZ Rt 273 and Rt 261.

Scenery

This is newly paved, two lane National Forest road that traverses a section of the National Forest damaged by a forest fire in 2011. The road provides a rare glimpse into the devastation of a wide ranging forest fire and the subsequent rebirth of a forest. Numerous scorched, yet still live, trees interspersed among thousands of acres of fire ravaged and dead trees.

Drive Enjoyment

Lots of twisties as it winds it's way along a forest stream. The pavement is perfect as it was newly paved after the forest fire.

Tourism Opportunities

Road side amenities are non-existent. A few camping pull offs dot the road but no paved areas exist off the highway.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

This is a seasonal road and is closed during the winter. Major mapping services still show the road as dirt/gravel.
 

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Waypoint 12
October 18, 2016
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
This is one of my favorite rides to see the fall colors in eastern Arizona. I've been visiting this area since I was a small child and love the new pavement on FR 249. Followed up the ride with lunch at the Bear Wallow Café in Alpine.
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PhaedrusFlyz
April 13, 2020
149 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
I've spent Labor Day Weekend Camping at Big Lake and got to explore the roads in this area. Due to summer storms, you had to keep your eyes peeled on this section of road. High wind and higher precipitation caused a couple of trees to either lean low over or completely fall onto the road. A rider could easily and safely get around them, but if you weren't expecting it you could get quite the surprise. The roads were in good condition and fun to ride. If you're going to ride over a holiday weekend, beware of areas were vehicles go from gravel to paved. There were a few corners that had loose rock on them because of this. From the end of this route, I'd either go right to Springerville and have a two lane-er to myself, or go straight and head to Show Lo and eventually the Salt River Canyon. Either way you can't go wrong, and the road is just technical enough to have some fun.
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PhaedrusFlyz
April 13, 2020
149 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
I've spent Labor Day Weekend Camping at Big Lake and got to explore the roads in this area. Due to summer storms, you had to keep your eyes peeled on this section of road. High wind and higher precipitation caused a couple of trees to either lean low over or completely fall onto the road. A rider could easily and safely get around them, but if you weren't expecting it you could get quite the surprise. The roads were in good condition and fun to ride. If you're going to ride over a holiday weekend, beware of areas were vehicles go from gravel to paved. There were a few corners that had loose rock on them because of this. From the end of this route, I'd either go right to Springerville and have a two lane-er to myself, or go straight and head to Show Lo and eventually the Salt River Canyon. Either way you can't go wrong, and the road is just technical enough to have some fun.
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