With the mercury pushing 110+ degrees in the valley it was time for a BTG Lite camping trip to cooler parts. We chose Crown King (CK) as our destination due to it's 5500ft+ elevation above the valley of the sun and the popular unmaintained back road that starts behind Lake Pleasant and winds it's way up to the old mining town. In for the trip was myself, Dennis, Scott and Jack.  Jay and Pat were meeting us up top - Jay's rig was down waiting for a driveshaft and Pat was wheeling his 2wd dually diesel.

This was also Jack's first trip in his near stock 1970 FJ55 (the bike rack was the only non-factory add-on). 

We left the air down spot shortly after 8am and quickly passed a large group of K5 blazers that were also heading up to CK.

Shortly before the turn off our new dog got a little car sick.  We managed to get the back seat cleaned up and by the time we caught up with our group they were working on Dennis's rig at the start of the trail.  Seems he lost a u-joint cap a ways back and Jack noticed it while they were checking out his new rims.  As it turns out Dennis lost the 13mm socket required to get his unit bearing off, I had forgot my toolbag and Jack didn't have anything other than the factory toolkit.  We ran back to a relatives house a short ways away borrow a socket but by the time Dennis and I returned another group had stopped to assist and the axle was already changed out by Scott.

Jack and I headed up the trail while Dennis ran the socket back to his relatives house.

Jack's 55 did surprisingly well on the old road and he made the entire first part of the trail without any assistance despite being unlocked and running small tires. 

A short while later our dog got carsick again so she rode on my wifes lap for a while. 

Near Oro Belle we had to strap Jack's rig a few times due to lack of ground clearance.

More tugging just before the switchbacks.

Once we hit the pine trees the windows started getting rolled down thanks to the cool mountain air.

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