I do not know about nor where is Navajo 16 but unless you have been assured that it is a paved road ALL THE WAY to the destination I would avoid it. This time of year many back roads are still torn up from the winter. Take Busskippers advice or call the Navajo Police and ask them.
3 days ago we drove over NM 193 which starts out paved and then turns to dirt for 13 miles and then back to paved. The point being that even if you get to a junction and see pavement the first few miles it may not be paved all the way.