Anyone offroad the back way to Crown King?

ou812 · 09-25-2009, 11:48 PM

Just moved to north Peoria from MI, and was wondering if any one has every took the back way into Crown King? Looking for any advise and how tough of a trail it is? I will probably be going on Sunday if any one else is interested in meeting up let me know.

Hopefully I'll be able to get out the lake soon to ride with some of you. I'm about 20 mins from Lake Pleasent and cant wait to ride!

Shredder · 09-26-2009, 03:21 AM

For the most part its not too bad BUT there are some spots that are Very bad. Big boulders I wouldnt attempt this in a stock truck more like a rock crawler. It was a real pain on my quad. I have seen people go up there in rhino's and even some new toyota sj's and i was shocked. It was a big group with some good spotters and some good driving for sure. What are you driving or riding? There was a f150 4x4 with a little lift that broke a lower a-arm up there when i went. Dont go alone !!!!

ou812 · 09-26-2009, 12:51 PM

I have a 86 Blazer with a 4" lift and 33" x 12.50" Mud Terrains, with 4.56 gears. I've never really done any rock crawling before though. I guess if it gets tough I could just turn around and head back down. Here is a picture of it:

ZMANN · 09-26-2009, 03:25 PM

sounds like fun!! I did hear the road changes depending on Rain but they usually fix it soon there after .. the blazer should be capable IMHO I have one with a 383 , 38.5's and a 1 ton running gear ,, love those years

Shredder · 09-26-2009, 03:41 PM

Nice Blazer ! It gets pretty tight up there. I went up there in a toyota 4x4 with open diffs and couldnt make it up one spot.The rain has changed things alot since I took my yota up there. Had a jeep pull me up. That sucked! It took about 4 hrs or so its 25 - 27 miles very rocky. If you get to that spot with the big boulders think twice its nasty. Theres some nice scenery along the way though. Go early you might be able to hook up with someone. Have Fun!

Mike

unclefire · 09-29-2009, 02:19 PM

I've never done it. I worked with a guy who would do it with friends on a "regular" basis. From memory...

- Conditions can vary and can be some rough stuff.
- They would normally go in a group and go up the back way, stay the night in Crown King, come back the next day.
- Have to verify, but I think he mentioned its not maintained. So you can run into some rough stuff including crossing a dry river bottom with big rocks.
- Don't do it alone-- at least not your first time.
- He had a Jeep Rubicon, but I think some in his group did it with an Explorer (which had a bit of a rough time doing it).
- There are some really narrow spots with one side being a big drop off.

badassjeep04 · 09-29-2009, 06:40 PM

Just ran this saturday, good trail but im locked up on both ends with 35" tires and a 4 to 1 transfercase. You can probably do it Open Open with 33s. there are some spots where you could roll, if you have a automatic make sure your brakes are good because there are some bad declines. Really nice scenery and good camping, the bar up there is cool to drink at but most of the people are assholes and will try to start crap, other then that enjoy, DO NOT DO THIS WITHOUT AN EXPERIANCED CROWN KING DRIVER. its very easy to get lost and get stuck, there are turn offs everywhere and it would be easy to get sidetracked, bring spare axels and tons of water because you could be stuck. no tow truck will go back there to get it. So unless you feel like wrenching on it yourself dont go.

graepaep · 09-29-2009, 08:37 PM

I've been twice. Once with my completely stock Nissan Frontier CC long bed. I used the 'when in doubt gas it' method and did better than my friend with a full size chevy with locked rear. I wouldn't do it again though. Took a lot of careful driving. Knocked my alignment out.

The second time I took my 4runner beat 'em up vehicle with locked rear and 31s. It did fine and I even had to pull a couple of guys up. One guy was in a brand new (still had the paper tag) completely stock jeep. He read somewhere on the internet that it was an easy trip. He was not happy at all.

Its a fun trip but there are plenty around here.

ou812 · 09-29-2009, 09:55 PM

I did the trail on Sunday. First drove up to Crown King and came down the trail. It worked out nice that way, escaped some of the heat and got the harder part of the trail out of the way first. Talked to a couple people at the top to get their opinions before we started and then went for it.

Everything went great and there's a alot of stuff to see along the way. The top part of the trail is more challenging but I never had any problems. Just moved along at a snails pace, and had my brother spot me. All in all it took me about 5 hours to do just the trail portion. We did do this with alone, which I probably wouldn't do again, but there were plenty of others on the trail if we did need help.

Check out the pictures here if you interested: http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/f...albumview=grid

Also stopped at Lake Pleasant on the way home to check it out. Really makes me want to ride out here!!

What ramp does everyone use? and where do most people ride at? I heard party cove is good for jumping boat wake, wheres that at?

G_man · 09-30-2009, 05:57 PM

You boys going up in you're puddy 4-wheeler's, this is how it's done! lol

2 wheels are where it's at when you gonna get off them COUCHES~!!!!

With the recent cold snap in the Valley of the Sun I was invited along to go for a ride up to Crown King with a “Secret Riding Club”.
On the way up we encountered this funny white stuff that Zonies don’t see much of.

Some of the boys topped off their tanks, I got some batteries as my camera was dead.

I wanted to have lunch at the local Brothel errrrr I mean Saloon, but alas I was outnumbered.

We ended up at “The Mill” which is a 100 years old. Good food indeed.

This contraption believe it or not was used to crush rocks to look for ore.

They don’t make them like they use to holds true with this Mill. Does this look like it was made in China?

lol

With our bellies full, we prepared for the descent.

The leaders decided to take a different way out. Only problem was there was a trail covered in snow that went up a fairly steep hill. At one point it reminded me of that BlackWater race with bikes and bodies scrambling around clawing for traction with the wheels spinning endlessly.
This is the top as another rider makes it over…..

The crew waiting for the “Snow Fleas”….
On my first snow –covered hill early on in the ride I encounterd an incline that was nothing more than a fire road. I discovered a bald rear knobby (My B to V tire) was not a good choice and literally had to get off the bike and push while spinning the wheel in 4th gear…..

This is how most of the trail was, slippery with jagged rocks to puncture your tube.

It was definite jacket weather especially in the shade where there was ice that really got your attention.

That's all folks.....