Back Way to Crown King

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wayoflife

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After finishing up the Ultra 4 Championship Race out in Congress, AZ, Mel asked Greg, Cindy and I to join he and his family on a run up to Crown King. For those of you who aren't familiar with this famous off road destination, Crown King is an old mining town located up in the Bradshaw Mountains just northwest of Phoenix. The first recorded gold claim was back in 1875 and in its heyday, had 500 buildings, including company stores, boarding houses, two Chinese restaurants, a railroad and a post office. By the time active mining ceased in the 1950's, over $2 million in gold would have been extracted from the surrounding area. Today, the town is still very much alive and kicking and finds most of it's gold from tourists.

While you can visit this remote mountain town from the east off of Interstate 17, most Jeepers make their way up from the south near Lake Pleasant. This route is considered the "back way" to Crown King and what we decided to run. For the most part, the trail is easy with great views but, there are also optional side routes with obstacles you can challenge yourself on along the way as well. Here are some pics from our trip, I hope you enjoy.

Initially, Cindy and I declined to join in the fun due to the code below that we had on our Jeep but fortunately, we got it figured out in time...
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Mel and I playing some checkers before breakfast at Cracker Barrel...
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Making our way up to Lake Pleasant...
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Airing down before hitting dirt...
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Enjoy all the saguaros surrounding us...
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Time to eat some dust...
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Greg leading us up the first of many off-shoots...
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For those of you in SoCal, the trail is a lot like Cleghorn or Pancake Rock...
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Climbing up another off-shoot...
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But, there's a traffic jam up ahead. Greg getting out to see what's up...
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Apparently, this JK riding solo got high centered and needed some help...
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Mel spotting him through...
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With traffic cleared, Greg shows how it's done...
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Rubicat's turn...
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EVOlander picking up the rear...
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More fun up ahead...
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Pulling into Crown King...
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The Crown King Saloon...
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While most people make a loop out of the Crown King Trail and end back on Interstate 17, Mel still needed to pick up his motorhome and trailer down in Congress so, we broke out the maps and plotted a way there. Here's an old cabin we saw along the way...
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Awesome old bridge we got to cross...
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All loaded up and on our way back to SoCal...
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If you're ever in the Phoenix area and are looking for a fun day trip, I would highly recommend you head on up to Crown King. :cool:
 
Very informative about the area Eddie! Learned something new with some amazing shots to go along with it


Sent from my iPhone
 
That looks like a great place. I'm starting to look forward to getting back to the mainland.

Sincerely,
Kevin

Sent from my GS4 using the WAYALIFE mobile app.
 
One of my favorite trails! I've been wanting to take the WK2 Trail Hawk Grand Cherokee up that trail someday. Ran it many times in the JK.
 
highoctane said:
One of my favorite trails! I've been wanting to take the WK2 Trail Hawk Grand Cherokee up that trail someday. Ran it many times in the JK.
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Its one of my favorite trails too, very beautiful area! I think youre missing a shot tho ;)

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One of my favorite signs. Its on the Crown King trail bout halfway up over in the trees. Makes me laugh, soo Arizona.
 
NAUJK said:
Its one of my favorite trails too, very beautiful area! I think youre missing a shot tho ;)

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One of my favorite signs. Its on the Crown King trail bout halfway up over in the trees. Makes me laugh, soo Arizona.
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That is one funny sign on the trail.
Noticed an SUV on its roof burned up next to the trail a week prior to Eddy's trip.
That really is a fun trail and a great destination. Made the last trip with two VJC members in a ZJ and an XJ Juggy.
 
The "Back Way to Crown King." That's what everyone who's run the trail calls it. It's been a staple in this area for generations of off roaders with 2, 3, and 4 wheels. I've only run it on dirt bikes. Fun, fun, fun! In the 70's-80's there was a way fat Billy Goat who hung out at the general store. The store sold ice cream and almost everyone who bought went outside to enjoy it. I lost a two scoop cone to him five seconds after I sat down outside. He chomped it about 1/4 inch above my fingers. Personally, I think the store owner kept the thief around 'cause most everyone who got hit went back in to buy another round. Thanks Eddie for posting these pics. Brought back memories.:thumb:
 
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