Crown King- "Back Way"

[sonquizzon]

I am planing on doing the Lake Pleasant to Crown King Ride the "Back Way". I have herd mixed things about this ride I was just hoping to here some feed back also If you have sone it I have a few questions.
-Will an 03 250f make it up on a tank of gas?
-How challenging is it?
-Is it very busy on the weekend?
-Apox. miles one way?
Thank you very much for your feed back.

[sam650]

My son rides a 02 WR250F and made it up and back on a full tank. You can purchase gas in Crown King. It's about 28 miles each way, depending on where you stage. Its a great ride and not too hard for a bike. Quads have a bit tougher time, but I still do not think this a difficult ride, rocky and bumpy, yes, but not hard. You'll have a great time.

--Sam

Sam: '01 Honda XR650r
son Scott: '00 YZ426f
son Kirk: '02 WR250f
daughter Kimber: '96 Honda XR80r
wife Cherri: '02 Polaris Scrambler 500
Extra: Yamaha Blaster

[Redneck]

And yes, generally a busy trail on Saturday.

Redneck

8

[Ragdoll]

I would like to take this ride also. Is there a link with a map or could someone give me accurate directions as to where to stage and stuff like that. I have heard this is a fun ride but I always miss it when some of my friends have gone. I need to go on Sunday as the boy has Pop Warner on Sats.

Thanks,

RAgdoll

[AAA]

Dont ride this ride in when snow is present on top! Creates a ton of problems. Great ride. 31 miles from end of pavement of Castle Hot Springs Road. We fill up with gas on top just to be sure and catch a great lunch at the Mill. Went this spring. Heard rumors of no more maintanence of road! Could get tricky for trucks, jeeps, golfcarts; but no problem with bikes or quads, unless a car is blocking the road. Dont fly around the turns, cross traffic likely. Dont forget your coat at 7000ft elevation. Take SR 74 to Castle Hot Springs Road (North)(Lake Pleasant), stage at end of pavement. When encounter forks in road, go north or UP! Go through houses and follow sign to Crown King. A lot of people should be there on weekends. About 4 rough sections, so keep the power to the ground. But if a jeep can do it, im sure you can. Lots of drunks out there, be careful and dont dust the houses!!!!

'02 DS 650
'01 Honda Rancher
'01 Yamaha Wolverine
'97 Honda Recon
'00 Excursion Diesel 4x4
'02 Tahoe Transport RV

[Arizona Griz]

Maybe a word to the wise. I made this run in the spring and staged about 2 miles north of the pavement. On the way back down to the truck I was flagged down by a Deputy Sheriff. He asked me if I had any "plates" for my quad. At that time I didn't have any. He proceded to tell me that if I didn't have any "plates" for the quad and was riding on the road from Lake Pleasant to Crown King that I could be cited. Now he didn't explain to me his definition of "plates" but I assume he meant "street legal plates". He allowed me to ride my quad back to the truck though.
Arizona Griz.

"Just another day in paradise"

'03 Yamaha Raptor
'02 Yamaha Grizzly
'00 Polaris Trailboss
'98 Yamaha Big Bear 4WD

[mxw1090]

I was also in Riding the Lake Pleasant area this Spring. Had lengthly discussions with the Park Patrol and Sherrif. I got pulled over twice because the Park Patrol didn't give the correct story. If you are within the boundrys of the park or on a regularily maintained road your quad or bike must be street legal, licensed and have insurance. The main dirt road is maintained until the end of the Peoria city limits. This is about 5 miles (guess) from the end of the pavement on cow creek road. There is a sign there but don't remember if it says leaving Peoria or indicates you are now in Yapavi county. I'll look closer the next time I'm there. After that point it is legal for you to ride on the main dirt road. A lot of people stage in this area. I made my warrior street legal to avoid any issues. Also, if you're riding on the trails on the lake side of the dirt road you have to be licensed, since it's part of the park. They were patroling it a lot in the spring but didn't see much durning the summer. I'm sure it will pick up again in the fall when a lot more people ride out there.

I've never done the Crown King ride, want to though, but I've been told you have to be licensed to ride in Crown King once you get there. They very seldom patrol it but be aware.


Yamaha Warrior (Mom's)
Yamaha Big Bear (Son's)
Kawasaki KX100 (Mom's too short for adult bikes)
25' Wildwood Toy Hauler

"The one who dies with the most toys wins"

[imported_n/a]

I rode up the back way this past Saturday. Bikes should not have any problems. Quads will have two challenges along the way. The second challenge, JD Rock, has returned to it's former form as 1.5 - 2' shelf(last winter someone took a jackhammer to it). There are a few washed out,rutted sections that have developed since spring.

I did not see any ranger patrolling but since I have street legal, it is/was not a concern for me.

CK is posted as a street legal area but seldom enforced. The best advice is to not bring any unnecessary attention to yourself and you will be fine.

[norrisboat]

I love the crown king trail. The scenenry is great and the elevation changes drastically. You will have a blast.

DFR fo' LIFE

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[yamaboy39]

I was just wondering how far from the trail ending in CK is the Gas staion/Restaurant.
Thanks

[billygoat]

When you get to the top, take a right turn on the main dirt road. It's about 2mi into CK. You'll take a right across a small bridge into the town area.

Just an idea here - Get a map of the area north of Lake Pleasant with the land ownership status on it. Bring your GPS and park on BLM land. This way you won't have to worry about park rangers. Cow Creek Rd is a county road, so technically you should be street legal. Also, take it easy around blind corners and around the houses. The people who live there get fed up with baja racers.

[yamaboy39]

Where might I find a map like that.Thank for your help

[billygoat]

You can get a map with land status from BLM on 7th Ave, just south of Deer Valley or at the Public Lands Information Center (PLIC) which is down town on Central Ave. You'll have to look the PLIC up on the web. You could also get a Prescott NF forest road map. This shows all the routes by number although it's clustered and hard to read. Still a valuable tool in mountains. Have fun.

[imported_n/a]

The OHV park is a mix of BLM and State Trust Land. As long as you are within the boundries of the park you are subject to the park rules regardless of whether the land is BLM or STL.

I have also heard the park rangers started asking for a $5 fee when parking within the park.

Just stage far enough up the road where you are not within park boundries.

[genesis]

Just found this forum...great info!
Has anyone determined exactly how far past pavement you have to go to park? Last time we went the road was pretty bumpy.

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37' Sierra Toy Hauler
1600 Roadstar Midnight

[Fooll]

Most people stage just past the bridge. There is a place just past the pavement for a few trucks......

2002 Sportsman 500
2002 Magnum 325 2x4
Every Dog has His Day.
Get'em Sam....
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[Sandrider]

You have to have off road plates on your OHV to ride off road, or on non-maintained roads. If you ride on a roadway maintained by a City, State, or County, you must be street legal.

T. Wight
Mesa, Az.
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