Extraordinary Adventure in the Arizona Mountains - Backway to Crown King
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- čas přidán 19. 05. 2024
- Arizona is an incredible place for an ultimate overland adventure and in this video my son and I meet up with some great folks to go explore in the high elevation mountain areas in Arizona to including the famous Backway to Crown King Jeep Badge of Honor trail. Trent McGee from the Ultimate Adventure driving his International Scout and Vern Simons in his Ultimate Adventure Jeep LRJ help lead the way as we tackle some challenging off-road trails, find some incredible camping spots, visit some historical sites and enjoys some great camaraderie. Our convoy consists of an assortment of capable off road vehicles, several built Jeep Wranglers, a Toyota Tacoma, International Scout, a Jeep Cherokee XJ and a few of us were brave enough to tow an overland trailer.
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0:00 Introduction
3:26 Backway to Crown King Trail
18:05 Crown King
21:23 Day 2
25:32 Turkey Creek Trail
33:49 Cleator Gold Town
35:19 Great Western Trail
40:51 Day 3 - Auta a dopravní prostředky
This adventure was originally filmed in April 2021 as a multi series video, but has been remastered into this full length 4k video. More new long format adventures coming soon!
I've been addicted to these long format remasters! I've seen most of these trips before but it's a nice opportunity to rewatch and get inspired for more outdoor time. Thanks for everything you do and for inspiring us all to enjoy our beautiful country 🤘
Thought it was going to be footage of you and the great Aussie's that you met after SEMA. I agree with the comrades about a manual transmission.
I thought I had seen this before.
I had just jumped on the comments to see if anyone else had seen this. I knew the leaking differential was familiar.
@@dwdodgelover yup
I like both manuals and autos. I worked for the forrest fire service for 13 years. We had auto and manuals in our fleet. Guys who insisted manuals for control and guys who wanted autos for the same reason. I can tell you every fire that had sugar sand trails or some muddy trails, manuals were stuck every time. Sugar sand especially. Manuals would slip a little dig down and get stuck and youd smell the clutch burning. The automatic trucks would drive all around on the same fire and wouldn't get stuck. Same tires, same gear. Same rigs....now that aside. My jeeps I've owned both. I don't know, Pros n cons to both... the great western trail looks awesome. As always brother another great video. Keep up the good work.
Arizona is one of the most underrated states for enjoying outdoor adventures. It truly has it all. Great vid!
2nd most underrated. Followed only by Nevada.
@@Gravexero So much on my list to explore in Nevada!
As a former AZ native resident the only thing bad about it is the scoundrels that facilitated the supposed Democrat election winners 2020 and 2024. Ain't no way Trump OR Kari lost no way
@@TrailRecon Don't leave out Idaho!
shhh. lets keep it that way
That xj is my favorite! They are just perfect size and I love the body style.
This brings back memories. I used to do this trail at least once a month back in the late 90's in a 4 banger manual transmission Wrangler. It was stock except for a 3 inch lift and 33 inch tires. Definitely had some issues in a few spots, but still made it through. Loved it...and miss it.
Great rigs, but . . . that scout just won me!! I LOVE that thing!! Hope the owner has many more great years with that rig!!!
You guys have too much fun! Love seeing your go anywhere, do-it-all adventure-style. Always inspiring.
So nice to see all of the vehicles been driven so well and smoothly! Lovely scenery and adventure.
LOVE seeing old Scouts on the trail
It’s amazing you guys took trailers across all of that! I am a manual transmission guy and although I have owned and wheeled vehicles with automatics, I prefer having a manual no matter what kind of driving I am doing. I also began my wheeling life in AZ and this brought back some good memories.
Arizona native here. I have made this run many times over the years starting back in the early 80's. I've done it on motorcycles, 3 wheeler, a quad, several Toyota trucks, a CJ7 and last year in a 2021 KRX1000 SxS. The trail has changed many times over the years but always offers fun and adventure. The reward is a great lunch in Crown King for a 1 day run up and back.
I lived in AZ most of my life. I was born at Good Sam in 1970 and went to Coronado and Arcadia High. In June of 21, I Ieft. Scottsdale and Mom sold her place to follow me and her grandkids. For us, We're gonna ride out the appocolyspse in the beautiful Ozarks South Central Missouri. Already I'm missing it. Seeing stuff that I always said, "One day I'm gonna take that dirt road to Crown King" that I'd heard of while stopping at Sunset Rest point in I-17 or other similar ideas. When I was in my 20s me and my wife of then just hopped in the VW van w our dogs with whatever we had in our pockets and went. It goes by so damned quick. Being handicapped now and in less than stellar health, what I can now do is limited. Watching this video did 2 things for me. 1. Made me miss home and reminisce. 2. Made me want some of those Persian kabobs and the recipe.
I'm on Amazon looking at those cool skewers and the joojle looking at lavash bread recipes (man, I miss the Lavosh Pizza at the GRAPEVINE in Old Towne Scottsdale).
Anwyas good video.
Safe travels to Jr.! I feel pretty fortunate to have explored this area in 4 wheels and on 2. Getting caught in a snow-storm up there in my old Jeep is a memory that will never be forgotten lol
My CJ7 was manual and I hated it off road, I personally believe in automatics for off roading. I just picked up a Grand Cherokee with an auto, I took it straight out on the trail the next day and immediately fell in love with it! Looking good in that IH Trent, 73 to you KJ7VXK
I posted above about my CJ7. Was 4.2 Stick then changed to Ford 5.0 Auto. Loved it but got a hankering for a stick again and changed it back to 5.0 stick. Mistake. I will be changing out to a Ford 2.3 Turbo and a C4 auto before my trip to Arizona from Oregon this spring.
Awesome and outstanding as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along
Nothing better to wake up on a Saturday morning and watching a Trailrecon vid with a cup of coffee. And btw this classic XJ is so easy on the trail because much less weight. I think modern off roaders are way too heavy.
Hi guys,
Pete from Oz. I was introduced to you guys by Patriot Campers a few months back when you were on their vid. I love your work and the great trails you take us on. I am an avid 4-wheeler and later this week going on an 8-day trip into the Victorian High Country with a bunch of mates. If you get over here it is a must see. Hard trails, spectacular scenery, lots of heritage (gold mining and cattle grazing) and just a great place with tracks like Billy Goat bluff, Blue Rag, Zeka Spur, Crooked River and many more. Some great old cattleman's huts from the turn of the century and lots of old mining relics.
I drive an auto and find that it gives me much more throttle control on hard tracks. With lock up kits and great rebuilds by companies like Wholesale Automatics, who are also 4 wheelers, the auto is a much better option.
Keep up the great work!!!
That's in my backyard, and have done it numerous times since the 90s. It's sad to see how bad the SxS's have been destroying the trail in the last 10 years.
Upsets me as well. Used to do it a few times a year. Started running it in high school in the mid 90s. Just can’t anymore. Try it and you end up taking 12+ hours behind 40 SxS’s. Has totally ruined the experience for me.
So it really is that bad? Did it back in the early 2000's when I moved here. My first experience was with my off road 98 civic. I made it up about a mile or so before I had to turn around. I then tried it in my stock 02 F150 a few times and went as far as the forest service boundary where they have the mine. Stopped there as I always ran out of day or ran into bad weather. I want to do it in my current truck but not sure now after seeing this. My current rig is an 01 F150 on 35's but stock 4x4 system with no lockers. May need them considering the roads conditions.
I agree the SxS craze has made trails impassable and is a contributing factor to trails and roads being closed. That and the disrespectful drivers.
JR I totally agree. My town Las Cruces NM was an amazing place for off-roading. We used to host the world famous Chile Challenge event and we had amazing trails. Now the trails are like riding a jackhammer because of the horrible braking bumps. I used to love riding my dirt bike on all the trails but after too many close calls where I almost ended up underneath a SxS I have stopped riding near town and only use my Jeep. Our trails are also horribly littered and the town has turned against the off-road community as a whole due to the trash and noise (SxS people around here love to chop their mufflers off and they install insane stereo systems that they run full blast) it’s just terrible. SxS’s are the worst thing to ever happen to the off-road world.
@@ClaytonSensiba I didn't used to think that but it is absolutely true. They are usually rude, loud, overly aggressive and always tossing garbage out their vehicles. It's just as bad here in AZ.
It's not SxS's, it's idiots. Everyone is out there to enjoy it together, regardless of what you drive. We all need to look out for each other and be good stewards.
The back way to Crown King is on my bucket list. Now I want to do it even more! Great video! You'll have to add Charouleau Gap to your list of AZ trails to do. Can't wait until your next video adventure.
I drove stick shift cars for most of my life, and really liked them. But with modern day automatics where you have full control over the gears, you couldn't pay me to drive a stick shift. I have my 4Runner in "override mode", or whatever you want to call it, all the time, and I downshift in tight corners, etc. If I'm in 4w low going down a steep hill, I'll put it in 1st gear to slow me down, or if I'm towing my trailer and going uphill, same thing. I'll just put it in the gear I need it to be in. I basically drive it like a clutch-less manual, and I love it. The stick shift is dead.
We just got excited for snow and now this is making us want to go back to the rocks! Keep up the quality entertainment!! 👍🏻
Wow! Great video. Thanks for posting! I have to agree with others, Arizona is awesome! We recently purchased a home in the southern part of the state so we can more easily go exploring. Call me "shifty" I guess, but I love the manual shift rigs! I'm 61 now, and only recently purchased my first automatic trans truck. I was very impressed by the gal driving the little Tacoma, and thought her and Sean (jeep driver) described best, the advantages and different experience of hitting the trails with a manual trans. All very cool rigs! The little XJ did great, but I'd like to see more of the "Irrational" and the tan LJ! Looked like a fun group. Thanks again for posting!
Very good video Brad, good to see the Tacoma hanging with the Jeeps, cool dog, did a couple Moab runs with the leader and his trusty Scout, liked all the stick shift comments, trails were awesome and have been on my list but yet to be done.
That old XJ is positive proof that you don't have to have a 100k rig to get it done and along the way have a great time and kudos for that taco I was impressed.
I am from Europe (Slovakia). I love your videos, they are perfect, also the music, and the whole team. 👍❤️
I own a Rubicon by the way
So I went the turkey creek run in the middle of the winter with a storm just nailing us! Snow sleet ice it was nuts! The section you showed with one wheel was so shady. I've been the back way to crown plenty of times! I recommend it to any one it's such a beautiful place that is so underrated....yet again I always hope no one finds out about it!
Looks like you all had some fun on some nice trails and had some nice scenery around you all.
I missed this original series. So glad I caught the compilation. What a brilliant trip, and amazing editing, just brilliant watching those trailers go anywhere.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Did part of the Great Western Trail coming back from Flagstaff to Cottonwood the back way about 4 years ago when I went on a Razor ride with a group of friends from Thousand Trails RV resort, talk about rough!🤔
Yet another amazing video! Love the frequent HIGH QUALITY updates! Wow..can't believe you are able to put out so many amazing/well edited videos, sir! It's so easy to tell you LOVE what you do and the passion you have for camping and video. Oh and you and family are such naturals in front of that camera! Can't wait to see another amazing episode (with cookings and coffee of course)... don't think I ever told you but I have never done camping myself and don't own a 4x4...and yet you made me love camping so much because of your videos! LOL...keep it up, sir! THANK YOU for what YOU AND MARCO DO! Such amazing dual!
Thank you so much!
That IH Scout is glorious. Love it.
That high desert is so exotic!!!
Tell your son thank you for his service and this was a great video. 👍
I love the off-road ratrod.
That’s amazing that you and Marco were able to pulled those trailers through all of that rough terrain
We continue to be amazed at how capable they are, but for this trip my son gets most of the credit on navigating it through this adventure.
There's only 1 obstacle that you will have a real problem on close to the end. You'd have a path up everywhere else.
That Scout.... All day long! 🤘🤘
Where can we see more videos of the scout
Bought our first UTV last Sept, it now has 3k on it, all off road, and MANY times up and down the backway!!! We enjoy the little toy over the built 4runner we own. Currently building a off road trailer to tag along behind the Teryx4s. Great video.... there are millions of miles of trails to explore in our state!!!
I can't wait to explore more of your trails!
Bonjour de France. Merci pour ce super reportage off road. Très bien filmé ❤❤❤
Great video; haven’t been in that trail since the 70’s; loved the memories,😎😎😎😎😎🌟⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Very nice team work and off-road adventure
greetings from Romania,🖐 the landscape is superbly beautiful, good roads ahead 👍👍👍
After I get my Rebel and get some things done to her, I would love to join you and your son on some trails. I'm a veteran so would be cool to meet yall and talk shop also.
that brown LJ is a dream!! what a beautiful jeep
It's a beast! And yes, don't forget to capture the moments!
Awesome content as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along
Glad you enjoyed!
I absolutely loved this video! Being a former Pennsylvanian having recently moved to Phoenix, AZ this was great for learning what the trails are like. My (still) stock JL Willys isn't ready for the Back Way to Crown King, but there's many other trails and areas to explore. Once I'm capable, this run will be attempted. Thanks for the video, Brad!
Thank you! And yes, there are so many great trails out in Arizona, I can't wait to go explore more of them.
Take a trip to Quartzite Arizona area or northwest of Blythe California area at the state line. The road that heads to midway, just past the power line take a right up those trails, old mines are there.
What an awesome video brother!! 🤙 Thanks for taking us viewers along
Hermosa aventura y lugares recorridos. Gracias por compartir. Saludos 🇦🇷
beautiful place... amazing adventure activitie
Great job pulling the trailers.
Marco sure has some great cooking equipment and the rigs were great. I wonder what the reaction would have been if I had joined this group with the old model T bucket I had back in the 50s. Im sure I could have stayed with you guys. Would have had to change a few tires along the way though. Great group of guys.
thank you for sharing
That looks like an amazing trip. I really enjoyed watching the video since I probably will never take my 4Runner on it, but definitely would love too.
Increíble aventura, que buenos vehículos que envidia no estar en esos lugares un saludo fraterno desde Nicaragua.
Awesome to see you guys going through some my backyard trails! Originally from Prescott, but I’m currently stationed up north in WA.
Prescott ftw
What a fun video.. ali throwing it down!
Increíble recorrido bellísimo sin palabras
I do agree with most of there comments, Driving a manual does really connect you to your vehicle , but I am old and used to driving manual :) LOL
I own a 2009 Porsche Cayenne that has terrain mode and that lifts the air suspension up almost 8 in more than the loading level. I've done many trails in Northern California where I encountered Jeeps and other 4x4s, side by sides, and motorcycles. The universal reaction to my car was "how the heck do you drive a car like that over these trails?"and I just tell them " carefully "! After one particularly muddy trail I came out the other end unscathed with no damage to my vehicle other than the fact that it took me about $20 worth a quarters at a self-spray car wash to get all the mud out of the wheels and the fender wells and as much of the undercarriage as I could get to without putting it on a lift.
right in my backyard, do that trail all the time glad you enjoyed it
You're lucky to have a back yard like this!
I took it as a passenger in 2001 it was awesome. My friend had a Nissan truck 4 by 4
Hermozo video y gran compañerismo me gusta mucho el4x4 saludos desde Uruguay
Thanks Brad for this awsome vid. I live in az and have been wanting to do the back way to crown king but don't know if my f150 would make it, next best thing is to watch you guys wheel it. Your videos and channel are a blast.
You could easily make it up the other side, just wouldn't do it on along the back way trail.
@TrailRecon that's so great to hear. Thanks Brad your a hero in the off road world your channel and what you do means alot.
Came for the trail video, and it did not disappoint, but those Persian Burritos, WOW!
Love the plates (and the sticker) on the tan Tacoma.
Nice to see a Tacoma representative on the run.
Great adventure
God bless America 🇺🇸
God bless our service men & women Happy & Healthy 2023 Merry Christmas
Tremenda aventura. Jeep es Jeep. Saludos desde Barquisimeto Venezuela
Wow..amazing..i love it...
Wow, just stunning..
Re upload...my fav trailrecon adventure
Auto vs stick: At 72 years old retired from building remote radio transmission facilities across the west, owning several CJ5's and 7's for the last 45 years, I prefer autos. Recently reinstalled a stick into my 85 cj7 w/Ford 5.0 and forgot the extra work involved driving it. The auto let's you slowly apply power until you start to lose traction, and you are able to hold your position without rolling back by throttle application. Combine that with a front brake line lock. Next will be a Ford 2.3 Turbo/ C4 auto combination. Question ; replacing my rear Dif., Narrowed Explorer 8.8 or narrow 9 inch? Have both . Headed to Arizona in January!
I took my 2012 stock Nissan Xterra Pro-X across this back road a few weeks ago and had no issues whatsoever. Take your time and it shouldn’t be an issue. Enjoy life to its fullest and don’t overthink. Oh and bring a camera to capture all the smiles.
"Enjoy life to its Fullest..." Amen to that!
Thanks for the video, love it!
Welcome to Arizona! Next time you guys have to check out the Mogollon rim and the white mountains! 💯
That was such a great adventure
That difficult section you called out, we call that the escalator. The by-pass on the left of it isn't much better and is known to take driver side windows and paint. Glad you had fun, I am 12 mi from Lake Pleasant and that road is my backyard.
I'm glad to see that you had a great time in our backyard, I make that run (Backway to CK) once a month, just for the burgers at the saloon. Drive safe
Happy birthday little man 🎉
I just found your channel and your videos are amazing! Just love them. I am now subscribed to your channel. Thanks so much for sharing your adventures with us. Stay safe out there.
Welcome to the channel and thank you!
Like when you have kids in the adventure and also the dogs... Hope you'll look for more of those opportunities.
Wow thanks for sharing . It really is beautiful and divers country
It really is!
excelente me gustan estas aventuras tengo un jeep cj5 en Sur America y estos recorridos son hermosos
That LJ is fire.!! 🔥
The way dude looked into the camera at 16:55 hahaha. He knew he made that look so easy.
LOL!
Hilarious 😂
Great re-master and fun to revisit this adventure- Just what my Monday needed! :)
Never mind, I didn’t realise the interviews had the cars
Actually did Crown King in a stock 2017 Cherokee, was very tough but did it with no damage, replaced the stock tires after from side wall damage but was so impressed it did it. Now to try it in our Tacoma 🤔
I used to to that route often in the 80's on my XR350R. It has changed so much. Most of the stuff that was left behind in old mining camps and towns are gone 😢
Marco is the man to have on any overland trip😋😁
Amazing. Thank you for sharing
Thanks for watching
Great adventure!
Excelente trabajo
fun trip.... wish I knew people to go off road with don't have any camping off road friends not going by myself
Some pretty good forums and Facebook groups out there that might help you connect.
Excelente Travesia
I just moved to FL after 20 years in Phoenix, love and miss the backway to CK, one rainy day I got bored and took my Gen 3 Tundra up there solo.
Great video... Seemed like good times wheeling...
So light adventure
If I was to pull that trailer around I would at least have the same size tire/wheel/bolt pattern as the Jeep. That way they are all interchangeable.
I loved every second and frame of this video. Looking forward to watch the rest of your videos. New follower and subscriber! Amazing content bro. AZ my home state!
Been there a couple times. Great stuff
Did you bypass some easier sections to test your rigs ? Those old Bradshaws have many tough roads, mines, surprises. Automatic’s and E lockers for me. And , of course increased coolant capability for all systems…..Thanks. Great trip, thus the video also….fresh salsa too ! 👍🏻