Phoenix to Albuquerque. What trails should I take?

[Mr Green]

Looking for the best scenic routes between Phoenix and Albuquerque. We have about 4 days to get there. Leaving Phoenix tomorrow. Any reccomendations on "dont miss" or good overlanding routes? 1996 FJ80 locked on 37s but not looking to get too stupid. Thanks!

 

[morganism]

drive to clifton/morenci, then drive up the Gila river, get you nearly into NM. Hot spring up the San Fran confluence, and think there is a private ranch that has rentals with hot springs up there...

 

[bwesty]

From Phoenix you could take the Sycamore/Four Peaks road into Tonto Basin, then from Punkin Center east into Young via FR896 - FR236 to FR609 then south on 288 to Cherry Creek Road FR203 and east along the dirt road that follows the FR96 Salt River to the bridge. Hit the highway and head to Carrizo junction and turn east to Whiteriver but exit the highway in Fort Apache and go east through Seven Mile get on Y70 / 71 and stay in the lower plateau. Have a good map available for this section. Eventually you will hit Pacheta Lake and Reservation Lake then Big Lake. Go south from Big Lake into Alpine via Three Forks. That basically puts you into New Mexico then you can skirt the edges of the Gila Wilderness on some dirt tracks from Mogollon and continue on.

Nothing difficult but a lot of dirt and great scenery. Buy a permit at the Carizzo junction for travel on WMAT lands.

 

[Mr Green]

How is Cherry Creek rd right now? I was on that road a week ago, but the group I was with turned around when the road got narrow? Would you go that route solo? Thanks for the input!

 

[bwesty]

How is Cherry Creek rd right now? I was on that road a week ago, but the group I was with turned around when the road got narrow? Would you go that route solo? Thanks for the input!

You will only need to travel the far southern end of 203 and then cut off east and not head north into the areas that were more heavily impacted post fire and flood, erosion. Look at the map and it will explain.

 

[morganism]

Cherry creek can be a tire eater, but pulling off early should be ok.

 

[Mr Green]

Thanks! Just to be clear.... I am using a Benchmark Arizona map. Should I get on 203 Cherry Creek near Board Tree Saddle and take it South towards 96 and then east on 96? What hwy to Carrizo? Thanks again! Big help! @bwesty

 

[bwesty]

Thanks! Just to be clear.... I am using a Benchmark Arizona map. Should I get on 203 Cherry Creek near Board Tree Saddle and take it South towards 96 and then east on 96? What hwy to Carrizo? Thanks again! Big help! @bwesty

I am not able to pull up a map now but it will be obvious when you are there and mapping out the correct direction and route. Once you pass Canyon Creek then Cibecue Creek you will come to the Salt River bridge, dirt road ends then. Get on the US60 and head towards Show Low, but at Carrizo junction take the cut off road to Whiteriver...before Whiteriver is Fort Apache, turnoff on 46 at the road to Seven Mile / Pacheta Lake / etc. After crossing White River bridge and then school look for right hand turn take that go past run down gas station Mart and continue on turns to dirt immediately almost. Air down there and follow that road use a map and go to Reservation Lake then Big Lake then Alpine...