Crown King AZ Adventure (large photo warning)

[MickeyMouse]

On info from a co-worker, we packed up the kids and headed out on a Arizona day trip going from Bumble Bee to Crown King and out through Wagoner.

Here we stopped for a bit of lunch in the desert. I'm standing on the trail we came in on as it heads down to the Runner. Wasn't much of a trail, but plenty of fun for the kids.

 

[MickeyMouse]

Here's the trail we came in and out for lunch.

 

[MickeyMouse]

Such beauty in the middle of the desert. It had rained the day before and we ran into many spots such as this. There were also many make-shift water falls along the side of the road.

 

[MickeyMouse]

We actually hit Pine Tree's as we hit the 7,000 foot elevation. This is on the other side of Crown King, heading to Wagoner. After driving for an hour at 5 to 10mph, we found out the road to Wagoner and then Hwy 89 no longer exist (or we missed a turn-off). We ended up at someplace called HourseTheif Lake.

 

[MickeyMouse]

Taking a little brake while displaying our proud t4r sticker. We had turned back and planned to take another route to Prescott Arizona, but it turned out to be pretty bad trails and we found it was a 40 mile trip... we were only doing 5 to 10mph and it was going to take at least 4 hours to our final destination. Also, civilization had disapeared as we got further out and the road narrowed considerably (no way to turn around) and all tracks being laid were only ours. Many spots where the trail was gone and washed away and long trecks through mud ponds when we decided with small children it was time to cut-bait and go home, so we headed back.

We felt we were a little lost because we had ran into Y's in the road and no idea where they headed to. The map we had didn't show these Y's.

 

[MickeyMouse]

Sorry there were no pictures once it started getting rough, but my hands were glued to the wheel and making sure we got home safely. As you can see from the mud, things had gotten considerably looser since the picture above.

All in all, the kids will not stop talking about the trip. Even our 18yo daughter had a blast... I guess that's what it is all about.

 

[MickeyMouse]

Future Trip Thoughts:

1. Will not go again without a GPS. At one point deep in the forest where it was at least a 100 foot drop on my side and straight up on my Wifes side with no room for any other vehicles on the road, we were a little lost. I was pretty sure I could get us back, but that mistake will "never" happen again. We will take pink ribbons to mark places in the trail where there are unmarked "Y"s and a GPS.

2. Take a gun. I have a riffle and should have taken it, specially with a Wife and kids up in the sticks as such. In the end, it took about 3+ hours to get back home once we turned around with no homes, farms or people in site. Not a good place to be without some sort of weapon if needed.

3. Take big plastic bags in case you ever have to trek out on foot in the rain or have vehicle problems. They amke great make-shift rain coats.

I had taken paper, matches, blankets, food and plenty of water in case there was a problem (trying to think ahead). We had also informed family members where we were going.

It was lot's of fun, can't wait to get back some day.

 

[GatorGreg]

Taking a little brake while displaying our proud t4r sticker.

Thanks for the plug Looks like a fun trip.

 

[AZRunner]

Did you go near the tower farms near Crown King?

 

[MickeyMouse]

We may have but I can't say for sure. We did drive up and through Crown King and headed to Prescott. Due to lack of directions and night fall coming, we eventually turned around and made the 3 hour trek back out.

It was fun and we will go back one day.