Playa Ponderosa (Mormon Lake Option)

Development Route / Flagstaff, Arizona / Published: Jan 2021 / Directions

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The alternative start - A pullout to the right on FS700 off Mountainaire Rd.

Stop by the Mountainaire General store before to stock up and the Mountainaire Tavern after to refuel!

The largest natural lake in Arizona... sometimes! Photo Credit: US Forest Service

Photo Credit: US Forest Service

Photo Credit: US Forest Service

Me!

Route:

Lollipop | 54 mi

Gain:

2,700 ft

Surface:

80% gravel, 10% dirt-primitive road, 10% paved

Technical Difficulty:

Moderate

Navigation:

Straightforward

Locale:

Rural

Tire Suggestion:

Options:

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A ride with an old railway, towering Ponderosas, and the largest natural lake in Arizona. And … a little hike-a-bike!

This route is a derivation of the Playa Ponderosa route with a side quest around Mormon Lake. We believe this could be a beautiful addition to the route but did not have time to investigate this option fully. (Thus, the Development Route designation.) We have mapped it out such that the route uses a primitive dirt road along the east side of the lake from the Highway 3 viewpoint onward.

Before the viewpoint, you will need to ride a short stretch of highway. This avoids a section of private property. (Please respect private property rights.) Somewhere near the viewpoint, you will need to “hike a bike” down to the dirt road. (We did not scope this out!)

We recommend the clockwise direction. It will make the turns on and off the Highway much easier. This is the way we have mapped it out.

Caution, this is a Development Route. It has not been fully vetted or ridden by the Dirty Freehub Team. Go prepared and expect a bit more adventure. Any feedback you have would be much appreciated. You can leave it below in the comments block.

Map

Brown = gravel / dirt road

Blue = single track

Red = paved road

Purple = paved bike path

GPX Download Version 0.1

Ride Details

When We Like to Ride This

This route should be ideal from April through September. Spring can be spectacular when the lake has water and the colors are vibrant.

The Start

Lat / Long: 35.091999, -111.682957

Raymond County park. Flush Toilets. Water.

Alternative Start:
Dirt pull out at the start of FS 700. This avoids the Kachina Village congestion, but has no restroom facilities.
Lat / Long: 35.088948, -111.682957

Food & Water

~ mile 30 at Mormon Lake Lodge; they have a convenience store with water, gatorade, etc.

Notes & Options

Route Notes

40 mm tires are more than adequate for most of the route. There will be a bit of challenging chunk on Fire Road 556 for 4.5 miles.
I recommend a red blinky light as there is some traffic along the route, especially if you do the longer option.
You may encounter logging activity on the route. Our strategy is to stop, wave, and let the big trucks pass by safely.
This has become quite a popular road for OHV travel and you will likely cross paths with more than a few during your travels. I recommend riding with a mask or neck gaiter to minimize dust inhalation.
We recommend a red blinky light with rear looking radar detector (i.e. Garmin Varia)

Comments

Have you ridden this route? Got a question? Join the discussion!

Help Make this Guide Better!

At Dirty Freehub, we believe the best routes are organic and driven by the riding community. This route and guide are a work in progress, and we need your help to make it great!.

Provide us with route feedback, both good and bad.

Let us know about points of interest and viewpoints,
Submit pictures and videos,
Suggest a best time to ride,
Let us know about a better or alternative option,
And tell us about your favorite place to go after the ride for a burger and beer.

Submit your feedback via the comments block (tab just above map).

Keep it Local! Learn More

Mountainaire

Kachina Village, at the start, has a convenience store and such. But if you’re looking for a more local vide, check out the small town of Mountainaire, just a mile and a half east [from the start] on Mountainaire Road. They have a country store and a tavern! (There may even be a way to start from here and take gravel / dirt roads to the route via a connection at the end of Osage street.)

Ridden and Reviewed by:

JoshV / Team Dirty Freehub (Alum)

JoshV (J-Bird) was a route ambassador for the Southwest region, where he developed, documented, wrote about, and tested routes. And each winter kicked Captain O’s butt on the bike. (2018 – 2022)