BM: Lake Pleasant to Crown King

Cow Creek Road leading into the Bradshaw Mountains. Follow this old west toll road named the "Phoenix to Prescott Toll Road" in the 1890's. In the above photo Crown King is beyond the furthest mountain and located at a higher elevation. No toll required these days.

There are actually several ways to get to Crown King from Lake Pleasant. The trip outlined here is by far the most popular route and thought by many as the only possible way. This trip is commonly done during late fall, winter or early spring when desert temperatures are more pleasant.

Travel this route as a group for safety.

This back road adventure should always done as a group activity for safety reasons. The most common vehicle used is an ATV, but jeep clubs also follow this route.

Jeep club traveling together.

Either way a high clearance 4x4 vehicle is required. If you are traveling by jeep you can choose two other common routes back to Phoenix.

Follow the Senator Highway to Prescott. This will require more then a day so plan to camp out or stay in Crown King.

Take the Crown King Road east from Crown King to I-17.

ATVers will need to return the way they came.

Jeep nearing ghost town site of Oro Bella.

Plan for an all day back road adventure typically starting at sunrise and ending at sunset. You will be tired and dusty by the end of the day. Consider spending the night at Bradshaw Mountain Guest Ranch in Crown King.

http://www.crownking.com/

This will give you an opportunity to explore the ponderosa forest, Horse Thief Basin, Towers Mountain and other areas. Below is simply a pictorial review of this trip. I have included mile references under each image and on the Google map at major points. There are a couple of good books that outline this trip if you want more details.

At 15 miles spectacular views of Lake Pleasant and Phoenix.

What I like about this trip
For me this is a difficult trip to make because I need to leave the Bradshaw Mountains and drive all the way to Phoenix, then back up to Lake Pleasant. For people living in Phoenix it is a nearby adventure. Groups have asked me several times through the years to join them and I've always used my ATV for travel. I have patrolled this route many times through the years as well as helped on rescues in this area.

Old mines along the way.

One thing I have noticed is that on weekends during cooler times of the year it can be very crowded. When I was a kid my family would explore ghost towns on this side of the Bradshaws and many were still in amazing shape including Oro Bella. But over the years the crowds have made off with all the relics.

Old mines
Ghost towns
Historical Crown King
Good hamburgers at the Crown King Saloon
Wildlife viewing opportunities... but better during the week
Indian ruins, seldom visited
Difficult at times to navigate road
Flowing Humbug Creek
Fun group activity
Camping is an option but cold if not prepared

Crowded on weekends.

What I don't like about this trip

Very crowded on weekends
Be careful on blind corners for fast traveling ATV's
Some areas becoming trashed out by travelers

Be careful around corners with speeding ATV's.

Trip stats
Miles... 27 one way
Elevation change... 4000 feet
Time needed... All day with breaks along the way and lunch at Crown King.
Fuel... bring your own or pay high prices at Crown King.
4x4 needed.... Yes
Temps... warm below and cold on top. Dress for it.

Slippery icy roads at about the 23 mile point.

Warnings
Don't attempt this trip after a good snow in the Bradshaws. On top it can be dangerous and one can slide off steep slopes. Once this trail begins to melt the snow becomes compact from all the off road traffic it receives. At night it freezes making for a icy / slippery road in shadow areas.