Overall Route Rating
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5 out of 5 Rider Rating 5
9 Reviews

The Road to Timberon

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Jul 31, 2008

Rider Reviews

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Hessler0506
June 15, 2019
This is one of the best routes I've ridden so far…
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Guest
March 9, 2010
Looks like a very interesting route I am…
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Written Directions

Start at the intersection of NM route 244 and US Highway 70 (just southwest of Ruidoso and northwest of Mescalero). From here head southeast on route 244 for about 15.5 miles. 244 will come to a sharp bend at which point you need to take a right (now heading southwest). This will take you all the way to US Highway 82 where you want to take a right (head west) and head towards Cloudcroft. Stay on 82 through Cloudcroft until you are just on the other side and now head South (take a left) on 6563 (also known as Sunspot Scenic Byway). Stay on this and it will become County Road C001 (also known as 537) at the Sunspot turnoff and take you all the way into Timberon (see online map).

Scenery

This is a Beautiful ride through Lincoln National Forest. There are lots of farms/ranches in the valley to Cloudcroft. After Cloudcroft you go through a lot of amazing canyons. Overall the scenery is truly indescribable!
Beautiful twisty road from Cloudcroft, NM to Timberon, NM. Runs through the Lincoln National Forest. White Sands, NM can be seen from one of the overlook areas. Also passes by Sunspot, a national solar observatory.

Drive Enjoyment

This road has excellent twists, especially south of Cloudcroft, and has plenty of ups and downs, as you would expect from being in the mountains. The road is also in excellent condition; very few road hazards. Specifically the section south of Cloudcroft is in excellent condition. It was paved around 2004. Prior to that, it had been a rock road.

Tourism Opportunities

There are some great places to eat in Cloudcroft and a great drag downtown for shopping. Cloudcroft has a few places to stay. There is also a golf course in both Cloudcroft and Timberon. South of Cloudcroft is the Sunspot observatory, only a mile or two off the route. There are plenty of National Forest Campgrounds along this route as well but basically no services along the road. No fuel available in Timberon, so gas up prior to leaving Cloudcroft.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

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Guest
February 6, 2010
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
This is an excellent ride. Try to do it at least a couple of times a year.
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Guest
July 7, 2009
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Absolutely a beautiful ride!!! We go every year. Very Scenic, twists, ups and downs, wonderful climate, and just peaceful! This is one of our number one favorite rides.
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Dan Erhard
December 9, 2020
49 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
Excellent mountain road, but at 9000 feet elevation, don't forget your rain gear. Summer storms can soak you fast up there, and you might even need the rain gear for warmth if you hit the top too early in the day, even in summer! Its not usually a ride in your vest kind of place. This road is very well maintained, and once you know it, it can either rip fast like the local ranchers drive it, or just cruise it slow so you see all the elk. One notorious gotcha corner when returning north. As you pass the old 3 M ranch, watch out for the big wide open right hand sweeper, followed by a surprisingly tight left. Lots of bikers crash there at that corner if they are ripping it. Steady 60 mph highest speed on this road is smart, till you know it. The rest of the road is more consistent. if its hairpins, the next corner same, if its a big sweeper, the next one same.
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