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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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Hessler0506
June 15, 2019
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
This is one of the best routes I've ridden so far. Road is in great shape, lots of great curves and long sweeping turns. There is also plenty of places to overtake the very occasional car or truck, I did the ride Thursday 6/13/2019. I also did the road to Rio Pelasco, not very good and I went down Rte. 130 about 10 miles and turned back, pretty good but not nearly as fun as the Cloudcroft to Timberon route. Scenery and the roads are amazing. One thing, gas up in Cloudcroft, but they only have 88 octane :{.
I'm hoping nobody reads this, so when I come back I have the road all to myself, again!!
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Guest
March 9, 2010
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
Looks like a very interesting route I am considering on doing. One question (may seem dum) but are there any non-restricted routes to route 54 through fort bliss from Timberon? Any info would be appreciated!
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hansonwe
March 30, 2012
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Outstanding ride with excellent scenery, good pavement and a good mix of twisties and sweeping curves. For the first reviewer's question, there is no paved route (or even a good gravel road) south of Timberon going to US 54 -- your only choice is to go back the way you came. There are a couple of seasonal places to eat at in Timberon, but no fuel. Best to fuel and eat in Cloudcroft.
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