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Saturday, April 3rd. We can meet at the gravel parking lot on the southeast corner of the intersection of Hwy 74 (Carefree Highway) and I-17. The exit is #223. A good time to meet is 7:30am and plan on an 8:00 departure.
The trail is considered moderately difficult. For adequate clearance, I recommend a minimum of some lift with 31" tires in average or better condition. The judgement call is up to you though. Be sure and bring a good spare or two!
I'm still not sure if I'm camping up in Crown King but I'm kinda' leaning that way.
Here is the trail info:
LAKE PLEASANT TO CROWN KING TRAIL (rating: 3.0)
The Lake Pleasant to Crown King trail is a local favorite. On any given weekend, there will be numerous groups of four wheelers, ATV's and motorcycles heading to and from Crown King. It is a fun and scenic trail into the cooler pines of the Bradshaws.
The trail takes off from the Castle Hotsprings Rd and travels through the foot hills and up the side of the mountain, giving nice views of Lake Pleasant and the Valley.
The trail goes through the old ghost town of Oro Belle, and the cabin/ranch of Fort Misery both of which are remnants of the Mining era of the Bradshaw Mountains. All that remains now, are foundations and a few crumbling walls. Fort Misery makes a nice place to stop and eat lunch as the small creek usually has running water and there are trees to provide shade.
Once on top of the mountain, the trail runs through the cool pines and into Crown King. In Crown King there are places to eat and have a drink, and a general store that sells some excellent fudge. The old Crown King Saloon was actually built in Oro Belle, and later hauled up (many years ago) to Crown King and rebuilt. In Oro Belle, the saloon was built into the side of the hill, so the upstairs were mainly accessable from the rear of the building (at ground level). The upstairs served as a place repose for women of ill fame.
There are campgrounds on top of the mountain near Crown King for those wishing to stay overnight. The fastest way down is via the main road which leads through Cleator and toward Bumble Bee. You can split off and go through Cordes Junction, which will get you to the Freeway quicker, or keep going straight and go through the little town of Bumble Bee.
Alternatively, you can take the Senator Highway toward Prescott or Mayer, this can be a very interesting trail during snow season. If you have the time, follow Towers Mountain Rd through Crown King and up to the top of Towers Mountain, there are some excellent views and you can join back up with the Senator Highway afterward.
Tread Lightly
~Tom
Attendance Roster:
Tom---------------gwinn--------------camping
George------------George Andrews-----?
Robert--------- ---RyPhil---------------camping
Steve-------------89Grand-------------?
Ralph--------- ----Ralph (from AZ)------camping
Mike---------------Will E---------------not camping
Frank--------------AZ Frank------------camping
Mike---------------Mike Adams---------?
[ April 02, 2004, 05:53 PM: Message edited by: gwinn ]
The trail is considered moderately difficult. For adequate clearance, I recommend a minimum of some lift with 31" tires in average or better condition. The judgement call is up to you though. Be sure and bring a good spare or two!
I'm still not sure if I'm camping up in Crown King but I'm kinda' leaning that way.
Here is the trail info:
LAKE PLEASANT TO CROWN KING TRAIL (rating: 3.0)
The Lake Pleasant to Crown King trail is a local favorite. On any given weekend, there will be numerous groups of four wheelers, ATV's and motorcycles heading to and from Crown King. It is a fun and scenic trail into the cooler pines of the Bradshaws.
The trail takes off from the Castle Hotsprings Rd and travels through the foot hills and up the side of the mountain, giving nice views of Lake Pleasant and the Valley.
The trail goes through the old ghost town of Oro Belle, and the cabin/ranch of Fort Misery both of which are remnants of the Mining era of the Bradshaw Mountains. All that remains now, are foundations and a few crumbling walls. Fort Misery makes a nice place to stop and eat lunch as the small creek usually has running water and there are trees to provide shade.
Once on top of the mountain, the trail runs through the cool pines and into Crown King. In Crown King there are places to eat and have a drink, and a general store that sells some excellent fudge. The old Crown King Saloon was actually built in Oro Belle, and later hauled up (many years ago) to Crown King and rebuilt. In Oro Belle, the saloon was built into the side of the hill, so the upstairs were mainly accessable from the rear of the building (at ground level). The upstairs served as a place repose for women of ill fame.
There are campgrounds on top of the mountain near Crown King for those wishing to stay overnight. The fastest way down is via the main road which leads through Cleator and toward Bumble Bee. You can split off and go through Cordes Junction, which will get you to the Freeway quicker, or keep going straight and go through the little town of Bumble Bee.
Alternatively, you can take the Senator Highway toward Prescott or Mayer, this can be a very interesting trail during snow season. If you have the time, follow Towers Mountain Rd through Crown King and up to the top of Towers Mountain, there are some excellent views and you can join back up with the Senator Highway afterward.
Tread Lightly
~Tom
Attendance Roster:
Tom---------------gwinn--------------camping
George------------George Andrews-----?
Robert--------- ---RyPhil---------------camping
Steve-------------89Grand-------------?
Ralph--------- ----Ralph (from AZ)------camping
Mike---------------Will E---------------not camping
Frank--------------AZ Frank------------camping
Mike---------------Mike Adams---------?
[ April 02, 2004, 05:53 PM: Message edited by: gwinn ]
All of us are subject to damage when playing on these rocks.
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