Arizona Road Trip: From Phoenix to Crown King, AZ December 2020

[@frankfalusi7494]

Great video, thanks! This was my favorite weekend drive back in the sixties when my family was young. Seldom mentioned is the fact that the road was actually built by the Bradshaw Mountain Railroad to haul various types of ore to the smelter in Mayer. The railroad began in Prescott and wound its way through the mountains collecting ore from the various mining operations along the way up to and including Crown King. Because of limited space the BMR used a series of switch backs to sort of "see saw" its way up the mountain. That's why several of the turns are so sharp. There was a railroad switch at the present sharp turn location, the train proceeded straight past that point, the switch was thrown, the engine reversed its direction and continued up (or down) the next section of track. Switch backs were to be avoided if possible and only used when there was no other option. There was one short tunnel, now dynamited closed for safety reasons. It's been recorded that during the hot Phoenix summers some folks on Friday night would board the train in downtown Phoenix, ride to Prescott and transfer to the BMR. The BMR would then take them up to the relative cool air in Crown King where they would spend the weekend and then retrace their adventure back to Phoenix Sunday night. This was mountain railroading at its best and my hat is off to the brave railroaders that made their living working for the BMR. Brave weekend passengers too! This is an easy drive because of its railroad origins.

[@mercedithcompala8148]

Beautiful trip

[@freedomvideo995]

Lived in Az since ‘61. Never been to Crown King!

[@magikleaf]

Thank for making this video.

[@deenibeeniable]

Thanks for this! Thinking about buying a place up there. Great to get an idea what I'm in for, lol.

[@kernelanders]

Is there any signs along the way? Just wondering because I see there’s a few turns.

[@haroldkayser1734]

Great video! Crown King is awesome! If you go check out MJ's Cafe for the food, they used be the restaurant in the Saloon. Best Burgers and the Milkshakes are the bomb! Even better they are a BYOB restaurant!!! Everyone skips over them because they don't know, best food in Crown King in my opinion.