Back way to Crown King.. almost

This weekend my buddy wanted to take his Xterra out and I wanted to go wheeling up north. I convinced my wife to go camping up near Horsetheif basin by Crown King for my birthday weekend.



Long story short - the weather was perfect, the gear was packed, we found the start of the trail for the CK photo op, and the radiator starting overheating for my buddy's ride.

We took a 6sh mile ride up the start of the trail to at least check it out, but went back shortly after his engine cooled down. The fan was unfunctional.

I think I saw some people are going up soon, maybe I'll join. Definitely want to see what the rest of this has to offer. I know it was only the start but the trail seemed in good condition. The really tricky spots had smooth bypasses if you chose, I found a few spots where I was able to push my truck although the camping gear was a lot of weight for anything too heavy duty. There were quite a few quads and trucks, jeeps and tacos. Found one that seemed to have their tire rod or something broken and they had gone for parts.

Anyway I was hoping I would have pictures from the various parts of the trail to show the condition but oh well. I was worried before going up there that it would be tough to figure out which way to go - it seemed pretty straight forward. There really only seemed to be one main trail and like I said a decent amount of people were traveling down and up it on Saturday. I could see why they say 4x4 but I have a feeling a truck with a descent lift and 2WD would be fine. Everyone still talked about the big rock stair at the end but i'm sure it could always be built up.

Until Next Time


alright lets get ready to go!

NVM

Went off with Meg







The taco we found



Corny - but the view up there is epic


A little lovin' for my rear bumper

http://youtu.be/t6MjypBjFTU

Ending the night, still got to grill outside and test out the headlamp..

 

From what I remember as a kid, It's really nice up at the top. Too bad about the Xterra though.

 

Ya.. sounds like it would have been so awesome might take another shot at it this weekend and just run the trail depending on what the shop says. I think there was just an electrical disconnection somewhere, it's in right now so we'll see.

I'll post again if we head out there again this Sunday - anyone would be welcome to join.

 

I would, but not sure how friendly the trail is to Prerunners.

 

I didn't get far enough to confirm the friendliness although the deeper I got the worse the trail got with less bypasses. I bet you'd be OK if you had someone to get you through the tough spots - but who knows.

The Xterra just got fixed - if we don't trek up to CK again I'll probably be somewhere local this weekend to wheel.

 

When my whip is back up and running, this is a run I've been wanting to get checked off the list for sure.

 

Do it!



Hey there - still haven't met you or said rig, when are you back in action?

 

I've been to CK before. Just followed the main trail to CK town and a little bit of the 30 mile trail to Prescott. I'll join you if you want. I was planning of going on Saturday evening and camping there then have fun and do stuff on Sunday. But if you want to do Sunday that works for me too

 

Nice. Ya If I went this weekend it would probably only be a day trip on Sunday just so I could drive up the trail and check out the saloon then take the I17 back. You can get up the back way stock?

 

Yeah its not bad.

 

So there was pretty much a bypass for all the difficult spots the whole way? It's this trail right? http://www.everytrail.com/guide/backway-to-crown-king-4x4-trail/map

I'd be down to go 7-8am Sunday, maybe just meeting right off the carefree exit somewhere. I have to check on a couple things but I'm most likely in.

 

I've taken that one too like once. Then I found out you can take I 17 past black canyon city and 5 miles after it there's and exit saying crown king road/bumble bee. That way takes less time to get to the crown king town.

 

Yup that's the way I'd want to come back. I've been wanting to do the whole loop though. I started going up the trail that I posted and we had to turn around so I wanna finish it - seemed fun (think it takes about 4 hours).

 

Hopefully in the next two weeks or less... depends when I get me parts and working around, well, work. Then of course, 500mi break in period before wheel'n.

I'm surprised you haven't seen me... I'm off Ray and I-10 these days lol.

 

I'm down for that

 

Hmm I'll keep my eyes out. I'm Chandler and I-10. I bet I will now - thats how these things work. Keep me posted

 

Yea man, I've had it at Rudy's quite a bit lol... and I'm always driving around this area going places. Right now obviously not but, yea.

 

nice report Dunk. I have not been to CK in many years and never the tough way. might be a nice overnight camping trip?

 

That's what I had in mind

 

Sounds good - let me know if you guys have firm plans on going up to camp Sat night as I can meet up with you when I get into town on Sunday.

I'm still good to go wheel on Sunday afternoon if I get a couple people to join. I'll probably start a new thread.