Vulture Peak
The
trademark feature of the Wickenburg Sky line is Vulture Peak. The
Peak is located about 8 miles south of town. It is in close
proximity to the Vulture Mine, which is how both the peak, and the
mountains got their name.Read more about Henry Wickenburg
Read more about the Vulture Mine
Hiking the peak:
The main trailhead, about half a mile east of Vulture Peak Road, has several interpretive signs, but no water or restrooms. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you can continue almost another mile and a half along a rough, unpaved road to a higher trailhead. But unless you're pressed for time, park at the lower trailhead and enjoy the hike through a lovely section of the Sonoran Desert.
The trail heads generally east, climbing gently toward the notch in the ridgeline in front of you. About a mile and a half from the trailhead, you'll reach the upper trailhead, where the four-wheel-drive road ends. Now the ascent begins in earnest, with switchbacks up the flanks of the peak. Magnificent vistas to the west open up as you continue up the steep, rocky draw.
The saddle, nearly 1,000 vertical feet above the trailhead, makes a great spot for a lunch break and is a good turnaround point for most hikers.
However, if you don't mind some hand over foot scrambling up a steep, narrow, rocky chute, you can climb 240 feet farther up to the summit of the peak, where you're rewarded with wonderful, 360-degree views and a feeling that you're on top of the world.
The top of Vulture Peak is a long ridge running more or less north and south, containing lots of rocky nooks and crannies to explore.
Allow about three hours for the moderate, four-mile round-trip trek to the saddle and back. Add an additional 30 minutes if you scramble up to the summit.
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