Riding the Mogollon Rim?

[MrBent]

I'm starting a TransAm in August, leaving on the Northern Tier from Maine.  I'll be dropping down through NM and Arizona.  Today while I was looking at maps, I noticed a dirt road cutting across AZ north of Hwy 260 to Hwy 87--The Mogollon Rim road.  Depending on the route or the  description, its between 40 and 60 miles of dirt.  This looks like a fantastic route.  Has anyone ridden it?  I'd certainly take two days with one camp in some dramatic place, but does anyone know about water availability?  I'll be on the route in mid/late Oct. as far as I can estimate now.  I'm thinking I'll just have to load up before starting out on this stretch and have a dry camp about midway, give or take.  Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Scott

[valygrl]

You should go over to bikeforums.net/touring and ask Jamawani.

[roadrunner]

The road you're considering is very scenic, offering some spectacular views from the "Rim" and ridable with reasonably wide tires.  I suggest at least 35 mm or 1-1/2 inch.  Google "General Crook Trail" to find several websites that describe the area, road, and adjacent hiking trails.  There are several Forest Service campgrounds near the road in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.  Some of the campgrounds have water.  Approaching the road from the east, the small communities of Heber and Overgaard would provide grub for camping.  The Rim area all along Highway 260 from NM and HIghway 87 to Flagstaff passes through Ponderosa Pine forest and offers great riding with little traffic.

[MrBent]

Thanks!  That's just the kind of info. I was hoping for.  I'll be riding on 1.5" tires with a little tread.  I'm looking forward to checking out this part of the ride.

Cheers,

Scott