The other back way to Crown King, AZ. - 22 Jan 11

crawler#976

Expedition Leader
The last time I did this route I was in my trail beater back in 2007. It was rough then, and I suspect it's worse now. Without rocker panel protection or skids, I'd be very hesitiant about it.

One of the web sites that describes this trail recommends nothing larger than a CJ-5 :sombrero:

Both Lance (the WAVE Sportsmobile) and I are armored up pretty well front to back.
 

theksmith

Explorer
Anyone going on this run from the valley. We could meet on the northside and convoy.

i'm coming from the valley, but not sure how quickly i can get the GF and kid out and running so i don't wanna commit to a time - aka if we are late i'll speed and meet at the turnoff instead of the safeway!
 

1leglance

2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
I will be bringing the wife, son & son's friend and will meet everyone at the turnoff as I think that is closer to Phx than Prescott....
I am looking forward to a great time, and it is good to know this isn't a carnage happy crowd :)
 

toddz69

Explorer
A friend and I are coming up from the Valley as well - definitely going up the back way - a good drive no matter where you're headed!

I had a friend make it through in a 2WD Nissan in a trip I led on this route in Jan. 08. I think his truck was one with a factory rear locker (Desert Runner?). In any case, I seem to remember him having the most challenges where we encountered some ice. Like Mark, I remember when this was a good county road so I'm always amazed how much it's degraded over the years but I don't remember it being very challenging.

Todd Z.
 
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dirty Bakers

Conservative
Does any one happen to have a jerry can spout or super siphon I could borrow on the trail, I cant seen to find my spout to fit the unleaded filler neck? Sorry to be a bother, not my favrite way to meet new folks by borrowing before I meet them.
 

F5driver

Adventurer
We are leaving Mesa about 0700. Our plan is to meet everyone at the Wagoner road. Call me if we can caravan.

Brian
480 286 8066
 

zeroland

Adventurer
Thanks

Mark & Co...

Thanks for leading a fantastic trip through the hills to Crown King. The company, the vehicles and the huge blue skies made it an awesome day.

Thanks to Lance & Todd for the drive in their vehicles and to Scott for allowing me to abuse the Jeep.

A few pics from the day...

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1leglance

2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
Martin is was a real pleasure to meet you and everyone else. I wish you had gotten more time behind the wheel of the Sportsmobile as they are crazy fun rigs.

Mark & Todd great job on the history and local knowledge you guys have of the area. The Walnut Dam part was super cool!

Scott thank for letting me take a spin behind the wheel of the Oveland JK, great job Jeep on that one and AT on the rear setup.

Mark thank for letting Veronica ride in your Power Wagon and letting me drive it. With the likely pending sale of the Disabled Explorers Sportmobile I have a green light to get a used Power Wagon and Flip Pac thank to you, good work putting together a great rig.

Vero says thank to Todd for bringing Robin and Mark for bringing your wife, and also having lots of kids along. That is what Expo means to me, fun runs with lots of history/sights and showing kids what the 4x4 outdoor recreation is really about.

I will post up pics later today.
 

1leglance

2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
Originally I wanted to bring a disabled participant on this outing but after a couple of cancellations (the downside of making it free is that it is super easy to back out) I instead invited the family to join so we could enjoy the outdoors the way we used to.
My son took these pics when he felt like it, I didn't want to place any pressure on him or my wife, instead I just wanted them to have fun.

We had a great mix of rigs and the trail was nice in that there was plenty of mellow stuff with a few interesting spots.
One of those was where the trail went through a wash bottom (actual trail, not just something for fun), it now has a bypass but we all wanted to take a crack at it.

For those who don't believe Sportsmobile owners ever put their rigs through any challenges here is something fun. This is no where near the toughest thing this rig has done (usually driven by a disabled person who is new to 4wd'ing).
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Martin from Overland Live was having fun in the passenger seat as he had just driven the Oveland JK through this same section.
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It is always good to give the suspension a little stretch now and then to keep everything limber.
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While we have the Total Vision Self Spotting camera system and it works very very well, I still enjoy any chance to have a high quality spotter lead the way. It helps teach me about spotting others. Big Thanks to Scott Brady for making this easy.
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The shelf road on the Senator Highway is always scenic and out mix of Taco's, Jeeps, old school and new was tons of fun, mainly due to the quality people.
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Speaking of old school & new Todd had his very cool ol' Bronco out there and Martin got to drive it after being behind the wheel of the new school Overland JK.
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Big thanks again to everyone for keeping it a fun time, bringing the ladies and kids and the wonderful conversation at the Crown King Saloon.
 

toddz69

Explorer
What a great trip! Beautiful weather, beautiful scenery, great folks and a nice mix of rigs. Thank you Scott for letting me drive the JK - what a treat and a honor! Lance - I think your son is an upcoming photog with those shots of the W.A.V.E. going through the creek - his shots have great perspective. Martin - it was a pleasure to meet you - my first international overlander I've met! You're welcome to drive the vintage tin anytime.

Mark - thanks for organizing the run, letting me borrow a radio battery pack (again!) and your very kind gift of a clevis for my forthcoming recovery kit - very much appreciated!

Todd Z.
 

AzTacoma

Adventurer
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It was pleasure doing a great day trip with everyone... some fine back-country with outstanding people. Special thanks to Mark for organizing it, Todd for supplying extra historical info, and Lance's family for some excellent narration. Hope to see you all again on the trail someday!

-Chris

More pictures
 

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