FR650 Montana to Top of the World

[mikedsmith]

Anyone know - what is the condition of this road, runs from FR650 to Top of the World.

Many thanks

Mike

[Grasshopper]

Anyone know - what is the condition of this road, runs from FR650 to Top of the World.

Many thanks

Mike

Are you referring to FR342?.. http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=1556 We drove 1/4ml up it on 12/23/11 then turned around due to more pressing priorities for the day.
I believe present road condition status for this popular 4WD off-road club route would be more readily available from some of the local 4WD clubs. I would be surprised if anyone on HAZ has recently or ever driven this one. Maybe our CannondaleKid with his modified Samurai would be up for this one, then posting us an update

[joebartels]

@mike.d.smith I was last there in 2006 with a stock 4wd Tacoma. Seems from Top of the World to the mine was good. Mainly needed the 4wd for one steep semi rutted incline after the mine. Then some assurance areas. I wouldn't go without 4wd and I wouldn't hesitate with 4wd. It's a great drive.

...seems like CanondaleKid, AZLOT69, Hansen or someone posted going through in the last year

EDIT: my memory is terrible, I may have been on 342 looking at a map

[CannondaleKid]

I have yet to traverse the full route. Twice I've been a mile or two east from FR 650 before I had my Samurai.
I did go about halfway from the Top-of-the-World side late last summer but I'd spent most of the day doing recon on the other side of the 60 and ran short of time.

I've been doing 2 or more off-road trips with the Samurai every week and I've got time next week so I just may check it out then.

[CannondaleKid]

Anyone know - what is the condition of this road, runs from FR650 to Top of the World.

Today I drove FR650 from Picketpost to FR342, then FR 342 all the way out to the US60 by Oak Flat. The Forest Service appears to have done quite a bit of work on the roads since I was out that way late last summer because they were in great shape up to the quarry and a small distance past it. As long as it is dry, this much of the road could easily be done with a standard height SUV, preferably with 4wd.

But just past the quarry is a locked gate prohibiting public access. The only option to continue is the very steep and rocky 'Public Access to FR342' bypass. I wouldn't recommend attempting unless you have a very capable 4x4 with good clearance and are not queasy with the steep climb. But if you're ok on both points, go for it, it's only for a short distance.

[mikedsmith]

Thank you all for your comments and advice on FR342.

I have a 4Runner 4x4, which is more capable of 4wd than the driver.

Are there any practice drives I could/should do first? I have driven 650 to the (second) Arizona Trail sign.

Mike

[CannondaleKid]

Are there any practice drives I could/should do first? I have driven 650 to the (second) Arizona Trail sign.

I'd recommend continuing up 650 as far as your comfort level allows. Either take 650 all the way to Roger's Trough or turn onto 342 and take that as far as you're comfortable with. Either way there are enough places to turn around.
If you go all the way up 650, I've done the full FR650/FR172 loop with my Pathfinder as well as my Samurai so your 4Runner should do fine.

If you'd like some practice on roads that aren't quite as scary (as in high up along the side of slopes) I'd recommend the area just east of Florence Junction and south of the US 60, entering either from the 60 or from Cottonwood Canyon Rd from the west about 5 miles south of Florence Junction on 79.

[hikerdw]

Was wondering if anyone could report on road conditions of FR650 to Reavis Canyon TH, I.e. 2wd high clearance passable? Looks like some creek/wash driving past the corral so might park there.