Lane Mtn - Crown King Backroad Loop

[joebartels]

Lane Mountain Loop via Crown King Back Road
- 19.5 mi / 4.5k aeg
- a lot of road hiking, yet most is pretty swank
- enough grapes to feed an army - might be too ripe by this time
- smidgen of off-trail, it's like a quarter mile
- a lot of mines, artifacts and such

[joebartels]

This hike is dependant on minimal to no forecasted rain. It's too big of a hike to deal with moisture and makes access sketchy. Should also note that aside from turning around there are no good bailout options. It will start early and you will likely get home late. That being said it's a great hike and the temps look to be very nice

Currently forecasted clear!
Lower area 47 low / 77 high
Upper area 41 low / 73 high

Features
- Kentucks Grave
- Kentucks Cabin
- Fort Misery !
- Castle Rock
- Gazele Mine
- Oro Belle Mine
- Rapid Transit Mine
- New Savoy Mine
- Savoy Mine
- Observation Point on the Senator Highway
- The beautiful Lane Mountain Trail

[The_Eagle]

That being said it's a great hike and the temps look to be very nice

You had me at

It will start early and you will likely get home late.

You forgot, Long Pants suggested

[Mike_Fels]

Joe, it sounds like fun. Where would the TH be? I do not have a 4x4 available.

[joebartels]

Burro John Townsite as depicted on topo which is along FS 711 ( backroad to Crown King ). This is before the road turns 4x4. I do not recommend it to high-clearance-shy. It's pretty gnarly on one slope down to a creek crossing. I forget if it was Cow or Sand creek.

[Mike_Fels]

Checked it out on the topo and Google Earth I'd better pass on it, it would ruin the hike to get stuck. Sounds like it'll be a good hike. Enjoy.

[Tough_Boots]

I would love to hike in an area I haven't spent time in before. Anybody with room in their vehicle willing to give me a ride for some gas money? Just ask 9L or Chumley-- I'm an awesome passenger ;) I live in central phoenix but can meet wherever.

[----]

I should have asked the same about carpooling before hitting "committed". My mazda has no clearance, so I'd like to go if I can catch a ride from wherever, doesn't matter.

[joebartels]

I can carry four others and will PM the meet up time & location on Thursday. First come to the committed list from the top down. It orders by time of commit. I bumped Mikeadoodledude back in so he didn't lose out as he had previously committed.

If anyone else can drive and carry others that'd be cool too!

[slowandsteady]

Sorry we can't make this one! Enjoy!

[The_Eagle]

@slowandsteady
Was it something Joe said? You have to look past that

[slowandsteady]

I must admit I am a bit intimidated. I want to make sure I can keep up. The training is on, so I can do that event in the Pinal's! :wlift:

[joebartels]

Due to a questionable quarter mile section of road ( getting out, going in is no problem ) I'm changing this to start from the top. I don't mind waiting for jj's midnight towing in a pinch but making a group wait is another thing. Temps are still looking extremely nice throughout with a high of 73 at the bottom!

As a bonus this puts the heaviest pack weight going down instead of up. Also allows anyone to shorten up the hike up to 5.4 miles at the end and wait for roadside pickup.

While shorts work for a majority of the hike, pants are recommend for a couple sections. If you don't like 50 cent in da club or Pebbles and Bamm Bamm's Christmas Hits bring ear plugs, my CD player has been broke for years. Unfortunately it has to play at full volume to blend out Bruce's whining. Although it shouldn't be necessary a headlamp is a good item to bring.

I'll PM meetup details tonight.

[The_Eagle]

Damn.... I was looking forward to the back road in for the first time.....