The Crown King Trail (pic heavy)

[C-grunt]

I had another 4x4 adventure this weekend and took some pictures and videos.

The location this week is The Crown King Trail. Crown King in a tiny town in the Bradshaw Mountains north of Phoenix. The Bradshaws have a peak height of 7900 feet and I believe all the peaks are over 7000 feet. The Town of Crown King is at 5900 feet. The trail is the old trail (there is a maintained dirt road on the other side) up the south side of the mountain range. It definitely requires a four wheel drive vehicle and if you want to take "the old trail" the whole way, ie not taking the bypasses over the obstacles, you need a serious four wheel drive vehicle. Of the 7 obstacles along the 26 mile long trail, my Tundra did the first 3. I possibly could have made one of the others but there were 3 that were a definite no. You'll see one reason why here in a bit.

The trail starts at the north-west side of Lake Pleasant at an elevation of around 1700 feet. It takes on average 2 hours by ATV or side by side or rouhgly 4 to 5 hours by truck. We made it in a little under 6 hours since we stopped for lunch and had an unscheduled stop along the way.

Some of these pictures and videos were taken with my wife's SLR camera, the others with my phone. So some are not the best of quality.

The Bradshaw Mountains from my neighborhood.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/DSC_0088_zpsxay81pe7.jpg

The group. My Tundra TRD, 2015 F150 FX4, 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (stock), 2007 Jeep Wrangler Sport (lifted with tires), and an early 2000s Toyota 4Runner (lifted with tires).

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13091912_1088913031152270_304468022665788021_n_zpsjbtmgr0b.jpg

The beginning of the trail is fairly easy. Lots of rolling hills and good views. The hard stuff doesnt start until you pass "CK Rock". Its tradition to take your picture with the rock your first time up the trail.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13051483_1088913084485598_6323578733825595017_n_zpswtvtu62p.jpg

Or if you're driving a Jeep... On top of the rock.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/jeep_zpsnkklyniv.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13043714_1088912877818952_3332815938707535590_n_zpsvbve6nmk.jpg

The first two obstacles arent bad. Of course the pictures make it look a lot easier than they actually are. A video of the FX4 making the obstacles look easy. That truck continues to impress me with its off road ability, even the Jeep guys were impressed.

http://vid297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/DSC_0062_zpsij9lvglq.mp4

While on the second obstacle we got a visit by a couple of USMC birds. Looked to be a Huey of some sort and a Cobra.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/DSC_0060_zpsegfriwc7.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/DSC_0061_zpszqlfmrrb.jpg

After that the obstacles got to crazy for the Tundra and the F150 to do. Here is a picture taken from the top of one looking down at the start of it.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13051725_1088912854485621_6467328900750187163_n_zpszzkk1kyj.jpg

Some of the obstacles proved a bit much for the stock Jeep as well. He got high centered pretty bad and had to be towed up the ledge after 30 minutes of trying to free himself. The rock sliders paid their debt that day.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13076891_1088912711152302_2464618439481555253_n_zpsrdqwfwea.jpg

Looking back at the lake where we started. Probably about 12 miles up the trail.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13096349_1088912831152290_7721282715397625457_n_zpstwldcbok.jpg

15 miles.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/DSC_0067_zpsrairn3yh.jpg

Looking up the mountain.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/DSC_0066_zps814xxgof.jpg

Walking an obstacle to check who can make it.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13096257_1088912767818963_8153561846233571581_n_zpscvuqcm4b.jpg

Once you get towards the top the habitat starts to change. A lot more water up there due to snow.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13092112_1088912647818975_6434965114576196262_n_zpsdnpxznqw.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13100789_1088912694485637_1789150142458367317_n_zpsiax7unph.jpg

Cool rock overhang. Probably a good 100 feet tall.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13076982_1088912674485639_6564753586079973604_n_zpsgxxqmqm8.jpg

Crazy thing is there is still cattle up here in the mountains.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/DSC_0069_zpsscwil55m.jpg

[C-grunt]

Right before you drop over the top of one of the mountain peaks you get a great view of everything you passed along the way. In the distance is Phoenix. This is somewhere around 5500 to 6000 feet elevation. The view is just magnificent.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/DSC_0070_zps1isa7ovv.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/DSC_0071_zpssvz9bjei.jpg

Some of the other peaks from the lookout.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/DSC_0076_zps3pbp4qjj.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/DSC_0072_zpswne32xsw.jpg

My co-pilot for the trip

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/DSC_0080_zpsskkwz0e7.jpg

Once you crest the first peak you enter into the Prescott National Forrest.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13077100_1088912411152332_6541154658517044870_n_zpssagrk1qf.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13082656_1088912324485674_4582119669786347677_n_zps0uhnfrg8.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13087458_1088912391152334_1544701470263476037_n_zpsaqfirdjv.jpg

Then you arrive at your destination, the town of Crown King. All 1 general store, 1 bar, 1 store/BBQ joint and 133 residents.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13076567_1088912271152346_8280210243656324272_n_zpsrnich3wa.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/Facebook/Crown%20King%20Trail/13043584_1088912241152349_212119527025106155_n_zpsrqnch2bt.jpg

[C-grunt]

Video from the look out spot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIU7fntsA_s

[jwfuhrman]

yep, I need out of Indiana...... every time I visit Arizona I fall more in love with it. Once I'm done with school (Paramedic), maybe the by then wife and I will have to look at Medic job in the Phoenix area.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

All I can think is :

Snakes.

[TXBK]

It looks like time well spent with your co-pilot. Thanks for sharing.

[eodinert]

I did that trip in my Xterra a few years back... I love it up there.

[brickboy240]

I've spent too much money on my pickup to want to tear it up on trails like that but I'd love to do that on my ATV or mt. bike.

LOL

[donlapalma]

I did this trail with my cousin. Gorgeous views and a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing your pics.