ramblinChet
Well-known member
In out next adventure we combined two nearby trails: Crown King Road and Senator Highway which add up to a combined 64 miles and will take a full day. We were nearing the end of Dennis' time in Arizona so we wanted to select a few shorter trails that were easy to mild to minimize the possibility of damage and provide the option to jump off the trail if time was running short. Dennis originally wanted to incorporate another trail names Backway to Crown King but after I spent time reviewing the trail we met in the morning and I suggested we drop it since it was the roughest of the three, the condition of the trail varies due to use, and since it was the weekend, we should expect to see much traffic. Dennis agreed and we cut this one section out.
In hindsight, if I were driving north from Phoenix and had two or three days to make it up to Prescott, I would have begun on the southern end of our recent Bloody Basin Trail (extended), maybe camped at the Verde River or pressed on and camped near Interstate 17, the then continued on with Crown King Road and Senator Highway. That would have been a really fun 120 mile, two or three day adventure!
We arrived at the trail head near sundown so we found this place to camp nearby and tucked in for the night. Dennis had a paperback book which contained much information related to BLM camping in Arizona so within a few minutes he located a spot nearby and we climbed up and over a few small hills and found a nice little spot. As the sun fell and the stars began to shine it appeared in the distance that a few other campers were also enjoying the area.
The first few miles of Crown King Road are paved and then it transitions into a maintained dirt road. This was a significant relief compared to the rocky and rough Bloody Basin trail where our trail speed was always just a few miles per hour. The first small town we happened upon was Bumble Bee which began as a stage coach stop between Phoenix and Prescott. Despite gold being discovered nearby the small town never really amounted to much. I suspect the problems associated with native Americans who were "thick as bumble bees" made have contributed to it's short life.
Around the halfway point on the trail you will roll into another ghost-town named Cleator, which was originally named Turkey Creek. The name changed over a century ago when the town became the property of James Cleator who ran-away from his home on the Isle of Mann as a boy and sailed to these United States on a Spanish ship in 1889. As a former superbike racer, James' home has a very special place in my heart since it is site of the most dangerous race in the world: The Isle of Mann TT.
Several miles outside of Cleator you will begin to climb a series of switchbacks which lead you up through the Bradshaw Mountains. Keep in mind there are still operational mines in the area and don't be surprised if you encounter several standard dump trucks. Some of the sections of road are narrow and although general trail courtesy suggests that those climbing, by default, have the right-of-way, there may be times where it may be easier for one or two vehicles climbing to pull aside for half a dozen larger vehicles who are descending. In short, use good judgement, show respect, and enjoy the adventure along the track of "Murphy's Impossible Railroad!"
And then we arrived in the small mile-high town of Crown King which rewards you "with a look back into the world of a late 19th and early 20th century mining town, with weathered timber cabins, abandoned mines, deserted equipment, a fading cemetery, a living old-time general store and saloon, and, with good luck, a thousand tales about the good old days." We arrived well before lunch with full bellies so although we really wanted to enjoy a meal at the historic Crown King Saloon & Cafe, this will just be another one of those places to visit again. This small town also has cabins to rent and looks like a fun place to cool off on a hot weekend.
Traveling west, just outside of Crown King, we began our journey on the Senator Highway, which was originally constructed as a toll-road in the mid-1800s. This trail has a few more challenging spots, it generally narrow, and was quite a bit more fun when compared to the smoother and faster Crown King Road. And she was a beauty since the scenery changed so dramatically withing just a few miles. This was a fun trail where I noticed a number of great looking dispersed camp sites just off the trail. We stopped at one, pulled into the shade, and relaxed to enjoy a peaceful lunch.
While navigating the trail we crossed paths with a dozen vehicles associated with the Kenda Tire Boot Camp and stopped to talk with several of the teams. We discussed trail conditions with the typical, "tell me your past and I will tell you your future" sort of information exchange while also taking tires. Heck, when you have key leadership from the company along with one of their sponsored racers, and a few dozen dealers, why not ask questions and learn a bit! After completing the Senator Highway these men would continue due south to tackle the aforementioned Backway to Crown King.
This is one of the few quasi-technical areas we encountered along the trail. As usual, I slowed down, picked a good line, and crossed in two-wheel-drive. It was a bit tougher then what the pictures show but not really that tough - just one of those areas that forces you to think for a moment.
And here we are near the end of the trail airing up tires since the remaining few miles are paved and we planned to roll up into Prescott for a nice dinner. Dennis and I always poke fun at each other regarding our vehicles, components, etc. Years ago I purchased a Longacre Racing Magnum 3-1/2" Tire Gauge. A year or so ago Dennis fought back by purchasing one of their Pro Precision 4-1/2" units so every time I ask him on the radio if he is still running 35" tires still and would like to try my 37s on for size he asks how I am able to read my tiny 3-1/2" gauge and if I would prefer to use his "pro precision" 4-1/2" unit. A few hours later I met Dennis and his wife at Rosati's for some good Italian food.
I want to take a moment to point out that when I began this adventure I began alone. Along the way I have met many others who are also alone, and searching. But more importantly, many of us have met one another along the way and become really good friends. We come from different parts of our planet, we speak different languages, but we all share a common, somewhat primitive desire...to adventure, to explore, to wander. For those that may have missed this romantic piece in the past, I am asking you now to take a few moments and watch this story about you, and me, and our other friends, all wanderers...
In hindsight, if I were driving north from Phoenix and had two or three days to make it up to Prescott, I would have begun on the southern end of our recent Bloody Basin Trail (extended), maybe camped at the Verde River or pressed on and camped near Interstate 17, the then continued on with Crown King Road and Senator Highway. That would have been a really fun 120 mile, two or three day adventure!
We arrived at the trail head near sundown so we found this place to camp nearby and tucked in for the night. Dennis had a paperback book which contained much information related to BLM camping in Arizona so within a few minutes he located a spot nearby and we climbed up and over a few small hills and found a nice little spot. As the sun fell and the stars began to shine it appeared in the distance that a few other campers were also enjoying the area.
The first few miles of Crown King Road are paved and then it transitions into a maintained dirt road. This was a significant relief compared to the rocky and rough Bloody Basin trail where our trail speed was always just a few miles per hour. The first small town we happened upon was Bumble Bee which began as a stage coach stop between Phoenix and Prescott. Despite gold being discovered nearby the small town never really amounted to much. I suspect the problems associated with native Americans who were "thick as bumble bees" made have contributed to it's short life.
Around the halfway point on the trail you will roll into another ghost-town named Cleator, which was originally named Turkey Creek. The name changed over a century ago when the town became the property of James Cleator who ran-away from his home on the Isle of Mann as a boy and sailed to these United States on a Spanish ship in 1889. As a former superbike racer, James' home has a very special place in my heart since it is site of the most dangerous race in the world: The Isle of Mann TT.
Several miles outside of Cleator you will begin to climb a series of switchbacks which lead you up through the Bradshaw Mountains. Keep in mind there are still operational mines in the area and don't be surprised if you encounter several standard dump trucks. Some of the sections of road are narrow and although general trail courtesy suggests that those climbing, by default, have the right-of-way, there may be times where it may be easier for one or two vehicles climbing to pull aside for half a dozen larger vehicles who are descending. In short, use good judgement, show respect, and enjoy the adventure along the track of "Murphy's Impossible Railroad!"
And then we arrived in the small mile-high town of Crown King which rewards you "with a look back into the world of a late 19th and early 20th century mining town, with weathered timber cabins, abandoned mines, deserted equipment, a fading cemetery, a living old-time general store and saloon, and, with good luck, a thousand tales about the good old days." We arrived well before lunch with full bellies so although we really wanted to enjoy a meal at the historic Crown King Saloon & Cafe, this will just be another one of those places to visit again. This small town also has cabins to rent and looks like a fun place to cool off on a hot weekend.
Traveling west, just outside of Crown King, we began our journey on the Senator Highway, which was originally constructed as a toll-road in the mid-1800s. This trail has a few more challenging spots, it generally narrow, and was quite a bit more fun when compared to the smoother and faster Crown King Road. And she was a beauty since the scenery changed so dramatically withing just a few miles. This was a fun trail where I noticed a number of great looking dispersed camp sites just off the trail. We stopped at one, pulled into the shade, and relaxed to enjoy a peaceful lunch.
While navigating the trail we crossed paths with a dozen vehicles associated with the Kenda Tire Boot Camp and stopped to talk with several of the teams. We discussed trail conditions with the typical, "tell me your past and I will tell you your future" sort of information exchange while also taking tires. Heck, when you have key leadership from the company along with one of their sponsored racers, and a few dozen dealers, why not ask questions and learn a bit! After completing the Senator Highway these men would continue due south to tackle the aforementioned Backway to Crown King.
This is one of the few quasi-technical areas we encountered along the trail. As usual, I slowed down, picked a good line, and crossed in two-wheel-drive. It was a bit tougher then what the pictures show but not really that tough - just one of those areas that forces you to think for a moment.
And here we are near the end of the trail airing up tires since the remaining few miles are paved and we planned to roll up into Prescott for a nice dinner. Dennis and I always poke fun at each other regarding our vehicles, components, etc. Years ago I purchased a Longacre Racing Magnum 3-1/2" Tire Gauge. A year or so ago Dennis fought back by purchasing one of their Pro Precision 4-1/2" units so every time I ask him on the radio if he is still running 35" tires still and would like to try my 37s on for size he asks how I am able to read my tiny 3-1/2" gauge and if I would prefer to use his "pro precision" 4-1/2" unit. A few hours later I met Dennis and his wife at Rosati's for some good Italian food.
I want to take a moment to point out that when I began this adventure I began alone. Along the way I have met many others who are also alone, and searching. But more importantly, many of us have met one another along the way and become really good friends. We come from different parts of our planet, we speak different languages, but we all share a common, somewhat primitive desire...to adventure, to explore, to wander. For those that may have missed this romantic piece in the past, I am asking you now to take a few moments and watch this story about you, and me, and our other friends, all wanderers...
