PACERTRIP CITY EDITIONUS / RACE GUIDE

Crown King Scramble

Name: SPINES TO PINES - The 30th Crown King Scramble 50K
Uploaded: 2022-06-06
Description: This is one of Arizona's signature 50K races, now in its 35th edition. Starting beside a lake, the course crosses the Sonoran Desert before climbing into the pine forests of the Bradshaw Mountains.

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Phoenix
US

Unknown authorUnknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0cogdogblog · CC0cogdogblog · CC0

Race date in 165 days: Mar 20, 2027 Sat
City · Distance: Phoenix · 50km
Entry fee: $175Varies by event and entry period
Status: SoonTBD ~ Tue, March 16, 2027See how to enter ↗

Official website ↗D-day as of Oct 6, 2026

About the race Runner stories How to enter Course Race Prep Travel

Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

This is one of Arizona's signature 50K races, now in its 35th edition.

Starting beside a lake, the course crosses the Sonoran Desert before climbing into the pine forests of the Bradshaw Mountains.

Although the course features technical jeep roads, there is only one major climb, making it a good choice for a first 50K.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

Stories from those who ran it first.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 2

Chase DuarteRan in 2014 · Finish time 5:25

“I really enjoyed the course and am glad I decided to throw the clock out the window much earlier in the day.”

At the Crown King Scramble, the runner enjoyed desert and mountain scenery, focusing on the course itself rather than the clock.

Read the original on The Trail Aficionado

BeckaFinish time 7:54:38

“I think my strategy of starting out slow was really starting to pay off.”

At Crown King Scramble, a slow start left the runner strong enough to pass many others late on. Repeated stream crossings and steep climbs led to a finish in 7 hours 54 minutes 38 seconds.

Read the original on Because Being Ordinary Is Boring / Becka

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

SPINES TO PINES - The 30th Crown King Scramble 50K

Aravaipa Running

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

Ultra

Entry cost $175

subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

Official race website Entry options

From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

The 50km I'll run

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 06:00

Event	Start
Ultra	06:00

not the start line

We have not confirmed the start line coordinates yet.

START

Lake Pleasant Regional Park, Phoenix, AZ

Start · Google Maps

FINISH

Crown King Saloon, Bradshaw Ranges

Finish · Google Maps

Point-to-point

The Crown King Scramble is a 50K trail race held near Phoenix, Arizona.

Starting along the shore of Lake Pleasant in the Sonoran Desert,

it climbs one way to the pine-covered town of Crown King in the Bradshaw Mountains as a point-to-point course.

True to the event's tagline,

“spines to pines,” one of its defining features is the dramatic change in scenery: the race begins in cactus-studded desert before climbing into cooler pine forests at higher elevations.

Course starts at approximately 1,700 feet above sea level and climbs steadily to about 6,520 feet around mile 28.7, near the finish,

before dropping approximately 600 feet to reach finish.

The first half is mostly runnable dirt forest roads, while the latter stages transition to rough four-wheel-drive jeep trails with sustained climbing.

The course is known for its simple but demanding profile, with “only one climb” from start to finish.

Organized by Aravaipa Running, the race is one of Arizona's classic 50K events and has been held more than 30 times.

After the finish, runners can enjoy a barbecue and live music at the Crown King Saloon,

making it a popular introductory course for trail runners preparing for their first 50K.

Organizer: Aravaipa Running
Typical race-season temperature: around 17°C (62°F): Short sleeves — hydrate for the warmth
Course type: Point-to-point

Participant benefits

Not yet confirmed in the official race guide

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the start

No public transit; Castle Creek Boat Ramp, Lake Pleasant Regional Park, Morristown, AZ 85342

Point-to-point 50K.

Start at 6:00 AM.

Race-day parking/check-in on site at the boat ramp;

restrooms available.

Key access note: the North Entrance Station to Lake Pleasant Regional Park closes at 8 PM — private vehicles cannot enter after that time.

Getting to the finish

Crown King Saloon, 7219 Main Street, Crown King, AZ 86343

Finish is in the historic mountain town of Crown King, high in the Bradshaw Mountains, after climbing through multiple elevation/climate zones on dirt roads.

More details

Official one-way shuttle (purchased via registration) runs finishers from Crown King back to Lake Pleasant — about a 2.5-hour drive.

First shuttle departs ~1:00 PM;

no Sunday shuttle service in 2027.

Stations & transport near the venue

Crown King Scramble starts near the remote ghost town of Crown King in the Bradshaw Mountains outside Phoenix, reached via a long unpaved forest road.

There is no transit card system relevant here —

a 4x4-capable vehicle is effectively required,

as this is not accessible by any Phoenix-area transit (Valley Metro's Copper Card system doesn't extend into these mountains).

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026

READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

Entry fee uses tiered pricing, ranging from $175 to $190 depending on when you register.

The payment processing fee ($31.92) is charged separately.

The venue is in an area without public transportation.

Plan to travel by private car or rental car.

Times are local to Phoenix. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Hotels that make race morning easyHotels to rest in right after the finish

Distances are straight-line from the start.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

Distances are straight-line from the finish.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

Near the startNear the finish

The start and finish are 34km apart.

Crown King Cabins Bradshaw

Accommodation · 15m

7.8/10(8)

View on Booking.com

< 5 Mi to Ghost Town: Mtn-View Crown King Retreat

Accommodation · 41m

View on Booking.com

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

View on map →

Time for you, before and after the finish

Phoenix: Hot Air Balloon Flight with Champagne

$211

View on GetYourGuide

From Phoenix: Grand Canyon with Sedona & Oak Creek Day Tour

$231

View on GetYourGuide

From Scottsdale Antelope Canyon Horseshoe Bend Day Tour

$394

View on GetYourGuide

Eating well is part of the tripA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.View on map Seeing Phoenix with the medal onThe city you ran — this time, a little slower.View on map

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

Checklist Local eSIM · Yesim Flight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelp Pace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Phoenix runners' room

FAQ

When does Crown King Scramble 2027 take place?

It takes place on Sat, March 20, 2027 in Phoenix, AZ, United States.

How much is the Crown King Scramble 2027 entry fee?

The main event costs $175.

What distances does Crown King Scramble 2027 offer?

Ultra.

What time does Crown King Scramble 2027 start?

The race starts at 06:00.

Where does Crown King Scramble 2027 start?

Lake Pleasant Regional Park, Phoenix, AZ.

Where does Crown King Scramble 2027 finish?

Crown King Saloon, Bradshaw Ranges.

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Crown King Scramble

About Crown King Scramble — what makes it special

A day you'll remember,long past the finish line.

The road to your own record

When the city cheers

The trip that follows the run