just north of phx about 60miles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkcNSzjkzxU

they take the old road from lake pleasant to crown king, over to cleator then turkey creek. th en up bloody basin to mingus. I do not remember the roads that bad, i have been on that road to crown king many times, i think only putting m y dodge diesel in 4x4 one time, but it has been a few years., but you can get an idea of the country just north of phoenix. there is another road to crown king suitable for passenger cars.
i remember also coming down that road in the winter, i slid for probably half mile in the diesel.
back in the 70's a friend of mine took his new ford truck up to crown king with a case of beer, on the more civilized road, snow all over the place. the bar had beer stacked to the ceiling anticipating a bad winter. the mens bathroom was out side, the urinal a a hollowed out log leading outside the outhouse.
good times
there was ten feet of snow in crown king some years ago, remember not that far from phoenix.

US93 between Wickenburg and Kingman traverses what has to be some of the harshest ruggedest desert landscape in the US. Went through there about a month ago and thought about how damned serious it'd been to be out there afoot or horseback not knowing where the water was. It's definitely "two spares" country for the 4x4...

Watched the video. Looks like just enough obstacles to keep it interesting. Crown King looks like a nice place to camp overnight.

As a long time four wheeler in S Az. I wore out my first suburban 4 x 4 with body cracks all over it due to crossups and nasty rough roads with over 300,000 miles , a 73, and now have a 3/4 ton 87 that is about to show 450,000. Just saying I am not new to this activity.

I can't help but notice many of the vehicles had huge tires with rims that put them well outside the body. IMO it is a mistake. Look at footage 14.38 where a sidewall is being needlessly rubbed against a rock. Sidewalls take far more abuse and flats will be more common due to sidewall cuts. I know because in the early 80s I ran 12.5s x 33s and cut through them often. The right front tire gets the most abuse because you cannot see where it is hitting without a spotter. Some may say that large tires will give you a softer ride and to some extent that is true but with such a huge footprint the pounds per square inch are low and cause more tire spin. Big wide tires are great for floatation on sand but unless the vehicle is used around Yuma or the driver goes in washes all the time IMO they are a poor choice for off road. Most of these vehicles use highways more often than they go offroad and on the highway should one encounter a large puddle where hydroplaning is a real threat. I know! I hydroplaned at 70 mph and could go lock to lock with steering wheel with absolutely no effect. I got rid of those 12.5 x 33 the next day. Now I run load range E 235/85-16s. I never have traction issues and it reduced the flats. Narrow tires also get to the bottom of snow and mud. I have left friends and their vehicles who ran wide tires on steep wet jeep trails who did nothing but spin. In addition to traction issues the wheels and tires on some of those vehicles are putting a huge strain on the relatively small wheel bearings like those that are used on a jeep.

I did notice that many of the vehicles had some type of positraction or locker which does make a huge difference. (Know the Rubicon comes with front and rear air lockers) (I have a detroit locker in the rear of my 14 bolt diff) Thought I would point out these things for anyone who may be new to off roading in Az. A front posi or locker is great for occasional use but it is best to have the ability to disconnect it or you are constantly fighting the steering which wants to be centered.

I am sure I'll get my share of detractors for my comments. I just had to share my thoughts.

Originally Posted by Azshooter

Watched the video. Looks like just enough obstacles to keep it interesting. Crown King looks like a nice place to camp overnight.

As a long time four wheeler in S Az. I wore out my first suburban 4 x 4 with body cracks all over it due to crossups and nasty rough roads with over 300,000 miles , a 73, and now have a 3/4 ton 87 that is about to show 450,000. Just saying I am not new to this activity.

I can't help but notice many of the vehicles had huge tires with rims that put them well outside the body. IMO it is a mistake. Look at footage 14.38 where a sidewall is being needlessly rubbed against a rock. Sidewalls take far more abuse and flats will be more common due to sidewall cuts. I know because in the early 80s I ran 12.5s x 33s and cut through them often. The right front tire gets the most abuse because you cannot see where it is hitting without a spotter. Some may say that large tires will give you a softer ride and to some extent that is true but with such a huge footprint the pounds per square inch are low and cause more tire spin. Big wide tires are great for floatation on sand but unless the vehicle is used around Yuma or the driver goes in washes all the time IMO they are a poor choice for off road. Most of these vehicles use highways more often than they go offroad and on the highway should one encounter a large puddle where hydroplaning is a real threat. I know! I hydroplaned at 70 mph and could go lock to lock with steering wheel with absolutely no effect. I got rid of those 12.5 x 33 the next day. Now I run load range E 235/85-16s. I never have traction issues and it reduced the flats. Narrow tires also get to the bottom of snow and mud. I have left friends and their vehicles who ran wide tires on steep wet jeep trails who did nothing but spin. In addition to traction issues the wheels and tires on some of those vehicles are putting a huge strain on the relatively small wheel bearings like those that are used on a jeep.

I did notice that many of the vehicles had some type of positraction or locker which does make a huge difference. (Know the Rubicon comes with front and rear air lockers) (I have a detroit locker in the rear of my 14 bolt diff) Thought I would point out these things for anyone who may be new to off roading in Az. A front posi or locker is great for occasional use but it is best to have the ability to disconnect it or you are constantly fighting the steering which wants to be centered.

I am sure I'll get my share of detractors for my comments. I just had to share my thoughts.

Good thoughts to share!

Nice video, Ron!

Originally Posted by MtnBoomer

US93 between Wickenburg and Kingman traverses what has to be some of the harshest ruggedest desert landscape in the US. Went through there about a month ago and thought about how damned serious it'd been to be out there afoot or horseback not knowing where the water was. It's definitely "two spares" country for the 4x4...

i have been hunting in that area for most of my life, as family have ranched in the area since the 1800's.
it's pretty rugged country particularly if you are not aware of how to stay alive

Originally Posted by Azshooter

Watched the video. Looks like just enough obstacles to keep it interesting. Crown King looks like a nice place to camp overnight.

As a long time four wheeler in S Az. I wore out my first suburban 4 x 4 with body cracks all over it due to crossups and nasty rough roads with over 300,000 miles , a 73, and now have a 3/4 ton 87 that is about to show 450,000. Just saying I am not new to this activity.

I can't help but notice many of the vehicles had huge tires with rims that put them well outside the body. IMO it is a mistake. Look at footage 14.38 where a sidewall is being needlessly rubbed against a rock. Sidewalls take far more abuse and flats will be more common due to sidewall cuts. I know because in the early 80s I ran 12.5s x 33s and cut through them often. The right front tire gets the most abuse because you cannot see where it is hitting without a spotter. Some may say that large tires will give you a softer ride and to some extent that is true but with such a huge footprint the pounds per square inch are low and cause more tire spin. Big wide tires are great for floatation on sand but unless the vehicle is used around Yuma or the driver goes in washes all the time IMO they are a poor choice for off road. Most of these vehicles use highways more often than they go offroad and on the highway should one encounter a large puddle where hydroplaning is a real threat. I know! I hydroplaned at 70 mph and could go lock to lock with steering wheel with absolutely no effect. I got rid of those 12.5 x 33 the next day. Now I run load range E 235/85-16s. I never have traction issues and it reduced the flats. Narrow tires also get to the bottom of snow and mud. I have left friends and their vehicles who ran wide tires on steep wet jeep trails who did nothing but spin. In addition to traction issues the wheels and tires on some of those vehicles are putting a huge strain on the relatively small wheel bearings like those that are used on a jeep.

I did notice that many of the vehicles had some type of positraction or locker which does make a huge difference. (Know the Rubicon comes with front and rear air lockers) (I have a detroit locker in the rear of my 14 bolt diff) Thought I would point out these things for anyone who may be new to off roading in Az. A front posi or locker is great for occasional use but it is best to have the ability to disconnect it or you are constantly fighting the steering which wants to be centered.

I am sure I'll get my share of detractors for my comments. I just had to share my thoughts.

my thoughts are similar to yours having done off road for about 60years in arizona. tires are huge, i much prefer narrow tall tires with really strong sidewalls, that cactus and rock will really spearchuck your tires. it's great fun to be 50miles from nowhere in the desert in 115degree temps and blow a tire.

the publisher of that video has shown other trips in calif and etc. I get a kick out of the tents on top of the vehicles. I am kind of wondering about that trip to crown king. like i said been a few years, but nowhere remember it that ruff. i might mention zane grey use to frequent/write about crown king, and horse thief basin.

Originally Posted by Azshooter

Watched the video. Looks like just enough obstacles to keep it interesting. Crown King looks like a nice place to camp overnight.

As a long time four wheeler in S Az. I wore out my first suburban 4 x 4 with body cracks all over it due to crossups and nasty rough roads with over 300,000 miles , a 73, and now have a 3/4 ton 87 that is about to show 450,000. Just saying I am not new to this activity.

I can't help but notice many of the vehicles had huge tires with rims that put them well outside the body. IMO it is a mistake. Look at footage 14.38 where a sidewall is being needlessly rubbed against a rock. Sidewalls take far more abuse and flats will be more common due to sidewall cuts. I know because in the early 80s I ran 12.5s x 33s and cut through them often. The right front tire gets the most abuse because you cannot see where it is hitting without a spotter. Some may say that large tires will give you a softer ride and to some extent that is true but with such a huge footprint the pounds per square inch are low and cause more tire spin. Big wide tires are great for floatation on sand but unless the vehicle is used around Yuma or the driver goes in washes all the time IMO they are a poor choice for off road. Most of these vehicles use highways more often than they go offroad and on the highway should one encounter a large puddle where hydroplaning is a real threat. I know! I hydroplaned at 70 mph and could go lock to lock with steering wheel with absolutely no effect. I got rid of those 12.5 x 33 the next day. Now I run load range E 235/85-16s. I never have traction issues and it reduced the flats. Narrow tires also get to the bottom of snow and mud. I have left friends and their vehicles who ran wide tires on steep wet jeep trails who did nothing but spin. In addition to traction issues the wheels and tires on some of those vehicles are putting a huge strain on the relatively small wheel bearings like those that are used on a jeep.

I did notice that many of the vehicles had some type of positraction or locker which does make a huge difference. (Know the Rubicon comes with front and rear air lockers) (I have a detroit locker in the rear of my 14 bolt diff) Thought I would point out these things for anyone who may be new to off roading in Az. A front posi or locker is great for occasional use but it is best to have the ability to disconnect it or you are constantly fighting the steering which wants to be centered.

I am sure I'll get my share of detractors for my comments. I just had to share my thoughts.

I agree about tire size.
Good post.

That Trail Recon Guy, trades Jeeps and pickup's about twice a year, now he is driving a tricked out Dodge Power Wagon, my son met him in Moab, and had a good visit with him, said he's a nice guy, The wide tread tires 12.5 x 33 or 35 are great aired down in the sand, on my Jeeps, we have very little rock here, all sugar sand, we have no use for a rock crawler. Rio7

Did they hang out around the campfire making s’mores and singing kum baya?

Cool video. All the 4-door jacked up jeeps here are driven by a yoga mom on blacktop, or a 5'6 guy with calf tattoos and a flat-bill hat. Those jeeps in the video were actually used.

Looks like some of our ranch roads. Now add a 20 foot gooseneck stock trailer with a couple saddle horses and four or five cows and a 100 gallons of diesel. On the worst roads we use John Deere four wheel drive Gators. MInus the stock trailer and diesel.

When we go off the hard roads here pulling a goose neck, we use a all wheel drive John Deere, with dual wheels, Sugar sand sucks. Rio7

Good video thanks for posting.

Neat video! We go to Peoria/Lake Pleasant quite often but have never been to Crown King. Going to need to look into that, wonder how a rental car will do on that trail?! LOL!

Looks like a lot of fun but I don't think my back could hack it. That's a lot of of bouncing.

lthere is a lot easier way to get to Crown King, but it can be busy up there.

I've driven that route twice with my Tacoma.

I took the route from the top down.

It's a nice warm-up for Black Bear in CO.

Originally Posted by WAM

Did they hang out around the campfire making s’mores and singing kum baya?

You ain’t taking no 2500 truck up that trail

Originally Posted by elkmtb

You ain’t taking no 2500 truck up that trail

i have been over that road in a 3/4ton dodge 4 x4 diesel any number of times.

We'll be in the area again first 2 weeks of December, definately looking into this. Thanks for posting Ron.

Originally Posted by Azshooter

Watched the video. Looks like just enough obstacles to keep it interesting. Crown King looks like a nice place to camp overnight.

As a long time four wheeler in S Az. I wore out my first suburban 4 x 4 with body cracks all over it due to crossups and nasty rough roads with over 300,000 miles , a 73, and now have a 3/4 ton 87 that is about to show 450,000. Just saying I am not new to this activity.

I can't help but notice many of the vehicles had huge tires with rims that put them well outside the body. IMO it is a mistake. Look at footage 14.38 where a sidewall is being needlessly rubbed against a rock. Sidewalls take far more abuse and flats will be more common due to sidewall cuts. I know because in the early 80s I ran 12.5s x 33s and cut through them often. The right front tire gets the most abuse because you cannot see where it is hitting without a spotter. Some may say that large tires will give you a softer ride and to some extent that is true but with such a huge footprint the pounds per square inch are low and cause more tire spin. Big wide tires are great for floatation on sand but unless the vehicle is used around Yuma or the driver goes in washes all the time IMO they are a poor choice for off road. Most of these vehicles use highways more often than they go offroad and on the highway should one encounter a large puddle where hydroplaning is a real threat. I know! I hydroplaned at 70 mph and could go lock to lock with steering wheel with absolutely no effect. I got rid of those 12.5 x 33 the next day. Now I run load range E 235/85-16s. I never have traction issues and it reduced the flats. Narrow tires also get to the bottom of snow and mud. I have left friends and their vehicles who ran wide tires on steep wet jeep trails who did nothing but spin. In addition to traction issues the wheels and tires on some of those vehicles are putting a huge strain on the relatively small wheel bearings like those that are used on a jeep.

I did notice that many of the vehicles had some type of positraction or locker which does make a huge difference. (Know the Rubicon comes with front and rear air lockers) (I have a detroit locker in the rear of my 14 bolt diff) Thought I would point out these things for anyone who may be new to off roading in Az. A front posi or locker is great for occasional use but it is best to have the ability to disconnect it or you are constantly fighting the steering which wants to be centered.

I am sure I'll get my share of detractors for my comments. I just had to share my thoughts.

I agree with your thoughts also.

i have a particular affinity for that neck of the woods. cleator is mentioned in the video and turkey keep. my fathers ranch back in the 2 0's was right there. the ranch is still there.

Originally Posted by RoninPhx

i have a particular affinity for that neck of the woods. cleator is mentioned in the video and turkey keep. my fathers ranch back in the 2 0's was right there. the ranch is still there.

You come from togh stock sir. Our family place is in a western Oregon Eden comparatively.