Backway to Crown King

How to get there: From I-10 and Loop 101 in the West Valley, head north on Loop 101 for 14 miles. Take exit 15 (Union Hills Dr.) and turn left. Turn right onto 83rd Ave and follow it north for 1 mile. 83rd turns left into Lake Pleasant Parkway. Follow this north for 9 miles and then turn left onto AZ-74. Follow 74 west past Lake Pleasant for 5 miles and then turn right onto Castle Hot Springs. Continue north on Castle Hot Springs Road for 10.0 miles, ignoring side roads that lead to Lake Pleasant. The road turns to dirt and then crosses over Lake Pleasant. Follow the signs for Crown King by turning right onto Cow Creek Road. Staging is off to the right after 1.5 miles along an old dirt strip (33°57'2.21"N 112°18'40.38"W).

The trail: From the intersection of Castle Hot Springs Road & Cow Creek Road, head northeast along the wide and easy trail. The trail turns due north almost right away and passes the staging area at 1.5 miles.
Stay left at 2.5 miles where a lesser trail leads to Tule Creek Homestead. At 5.7 miles, you’ll pass through an abandoned settlement along the banks of French Creek, which has a nice overlook just ahead. Stay straight at 7.2 miles where Champie Road goes left and connects to Castle Hot Springs Road. Use caution around 9.0 miles where the trail passes through a small residential area. Be sure not to kick up any dust here. Continuing on, the trail gently climbs up until 11.0 miles where you will reach the famous “CK Rock”. You’ll be turning right here but this is a traditional place to stop and take pictures off the rock or of your vehicle on top of the rock.