Backroad to Crown King difficulty?

[dtchevy42]

Do you feel that a stock (unlocked) 80 would have enough traction and clearance to make it without trouble? Or would I be in over my head? One rating I saw listed this trail as easier than Box Canyon, which is a little hard to believe.

I'd hate to make it most of the way and then have to turn around, because from what I've heard the hardest sections are in the final leg?

Scott

 

[-Spike-]

I honestly don't think you'd have a problem, but my view is somewhat skewed, as I have lockers and lift and take every challenge offered on that trail. There are bypasses for just about every tough line though. Hopefully someone who isn't locked will post up for a better perspective.


-Spike

 

[Tools R Us]

Do you feel that a stock (unlocked) 80 would have enough traction and clearance to make it without trouble? Or would I be in over my head? One rating I saw listed this trail as easier than Box Canyon, which is a little hard to believe.

I'd hate to make it most of the way and then have to turn around, because from what I've heard the hardest sections are in the final leg?

Scott

Crown King is defiantly a couple of steps up the challenge ladder from Box Canyon, even taking all of the bypasses. Depending on your experience level and the quality of your spotter it should be doable in your stocker, a couple of guys have done it in Tacoma Prerunners. If your going to run it take off your mud flaps, running boards and move the spare to the rear cargo area for the trip.

 

[BMAN]

Didn't Cody run CK in his boner rig?

 

[RHINO]

i think the rating of box canyon maybe an old rating before the rains last year and subsequent off roading since,,trail is getting progressivley better (from my point of view), there are a couple new spots that might be ehhhh depending on your level of off roadness. possible rocker ding on a hard left past a boulder just before oro belle, and then a few spots of rock action that could leave a mark if not taken the right line as well as 2 or 3 climbs w/o bypasses that could leave tires spinning.

now having said that i saw a few stock fullsize trucks on the trail last month when i was there. so take it as you like.

 

[bluecruiser]

I just recently went with a guy who drove a stock 05 Heep Wrangler (even stock street tires) He made it. He bumped his bumper a few times but not even a scratch. You should have no problem.

 

[alia176]

Where does the "back way" to CK begin? Is it Lake Pleasant?

I hope to do this trail when I'm in town next month.

Thanks.

Ali

 

[Tools R Us]

Where does the "back way" to CK begin? Is it Lake Pleasant?

I hope to do this trail when I'm in town next month.

Thanks.

Ali

Lake Pleasant turn off, a poor map;

 

[inkpot]

I just recently went with a guy who drove a stock 05 Heep Wrangler (even stock street tires) He made it. He bumped his bumper a few times but not even a scratch. You should have no problem.

Howdy! Even the AzLCA ran it in the snow last Sturday! How though can it be?? I an it two years ago, and the only real serious part without a bypass was the rock ledge near the top. It was covered in ice and snow and we did have to strap a rig or two that were pretty stock. I hear that the rock ledge is no longer there. Any recent travelers know about this? John

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Howdy! Even the AzLCA ran it in the snow last Sturday! How though can it be?? I an it two years ago, and the only real serious part without a bypass was the rock ledge near the top. It was covered in ice and snow and we did have to strap a rig or two that were pretty stock. I hear that the rock ledge is no longer there. Any recent travelers know about this? John

Ledge is gone Mr. Bricker. Yes, I remember that icy spot a couple years back.

 

[DBAX]

I drove up to CK Sunday (19th) for the second time that weekend. The first was the Saturday before(w/o my dog).. I got as far as I could go in 2wd and went to drop into 4LO when I realized after my recent 2" body lift, my transfercase shifter no longer had proper clearance to engage. So I tooled back down the mountain to my house and proceeded to cut out what's essentialy a 1" square piece of plastic from my cupholder . So Sunday, I loaded up the dog, (I never wheel without my dog.. Perhaps a sign from above?) and we headed back up to town. Recently, perhaps within the last month, they've graded the first good mile of the trail after cow creek, pretty much up until the first split (obstacle). It was the usual beautiful trail from there, with several other playgrounds to test out new stuff on. Fort Misery's still there, and it looked dry and the creek was virtually dead. It did however start to rain at that point and there was obviously worse weather ahead as I looked up the mountainside. It was snowing pretty good by the time we hit Oro Bell, and the ground was completely covered in snow, a couple-few inches thick of fresh powder. Up the hill and around the corner, then we're off. Many in my group had not seen Oro Bell since the "trail revision". We trudged on to the switchbacks in BLINDING SNOW, couldn't see much more than maybe 30 feet. It was basically a bit of keep the truck on the white part between the trees, where applicable.. The snow was pretty thick at this point, 6-10" so it began to cover a lot of the terrain, homogenizing it all and turning it flat, and benign. I crept along, looking for high spots to place the tires, the X teetering and creeping along on the fresh snow, making that crunchy sound it does as it fell beneath the 33s. There was almost no visibility along the trail for the last mile, the forest white and silent, my tracks being covered no sooner than I had created them. Pulling into town was a welcome site as always. A coupla' cold Fat Tires in the bar, than off to deplete the general store of their peanutbutter-fudge w/ pralines stock, and it was down the mountain I went. All in all, one of the best days ever spent on that trail for me.

Snow or not, the one thing I can say for that trail is aggresive tires will help anyone. With so many variances in terrain from bottom to top, and all that crushed granite (bbs) in between, a heavy lug tire aired down will help you pull your way to the top.

 

[-Spike-]

Damn, and I sat home that day. TELL ME WHEN YOU RUN THESE THINGS!

-Spike

 

[bluecruiser]

If anyone is interested next Sunday a couple of Jeep guys and myself will be heading up...My friend went on the 20th too and he said it snowed all day but wasn't too difficult. I just got a 100 but I will most likely be bringing the 40 for this one....Like I said before, I witnessed a stock Jeep Wrangler make it without too many scratches and no dents.

I will be posting up a starting time and place probably Thursday or Friday for anybody who wants to go....Should be muddy by then since it is warming up this week.....

 

[-Spike-]

Running it the 26th? I'm probably in, with the wife and offspring. Keep us posted.

-Spike

 

[bluecruiser]

Time for CK on March 26

Meeting at 83rd Ave. and Deer Valley at that CircleK/Mcdonalds. March 26 Sunday at 7:30am.

Anybody that wants to go just be there....

 

[alia176]

isn't there a public shooting range in/around lake pleasant?

 

[-Spike-]

There's a lot of open desert for shooting, why do you ask? Ben Avery range is east of LP, at I-17 and Carefree Highway if you're looking for a range.

I'm planning on making the CK run. See you tomorrow.

-Spike

 

[bluecruiser]

Thanks for showing up Spike.....Although the bottom half of the trail may as well been paved, atleast there are still a few decent obstacles.

Your rig is really awesome and very capable.

Anyone who hasn't yet wheeled with Spike, should.....He is a cool guy with a lot of good knowledge about cruisers....

I don't think we got any pics.....I'll check....

 

[-Spike-]

Here's conversation for the next run: My truck got hit by a chick on an ATV. I got 2 estimates today, and a check from the chick for $365. I wasn't even going to make her pay, but 30 seconds after hitting me, she hit another truck in our group. I figured a financial lesson was in order. Catch me at the next run for more details.

MWUHAHAHAHA!

-Spike

 

[-Spike-]

P.S. They graded the CK backroad AGAIN. Had to be the same morning we ran it; the grader's tire marks were still there. It is literally a dirt road for about the first 1/3 of the trail. They even graded what I call the 'slickrock' obstacle, which is at the bottom of a good-sized hill and was a decent challenge for unlocked vehicles. There was no bypass for it up to about 6 months ago, now the bypass is literally more difficult than the obstacle. They practically paved it. Fortunately, most of the good challenging options are still there, it's just that you could drive a VW in there to watch your buddy do them. Literally.

-Spike