Vulture Peak is a well-known landmark mountain located about 6 miles south of Wickenburg, roughly 55 miles northwest of Phoenix. The peak has a very distinct shape, a fin of rocks sticking out above the brushy mountainside, and is visible from many miles all around. The weather for early January was very warm: nearing 80 degrees. Joining me was my new girlfriend Beth. This would be our first hike ever together. Would she pass the test?

We left my home in Chandler around 10 a.m. and made our way to Wickenburg via Interstate-10 and Loop-303, then onto US-60, nearly 70 miles total. We took US-60 west out of Wickenburg and turned left (south) onto Vulture Mine Road. 6.5 miles later, we turned onto the trailhead access road and parked. The area is popular with RV and campers. It's a pretty, hilly desert area, and the famous Vulture Mine is just a few more miles south. The Vulture Mine was one of the most productive gold mines and many buildings still stand.

From the parking lot there is a trail and a 4-wheel drive road that lead in toward the peak. We opted to hike the road and 1.6 miles later, came upon the higher trailhead accessible only by 4-wheel drive. Actually, the road is pretty good except for one steep and rutted bit at the start, and some driving in a sandy wash bottom. At this second trailhead, there is a kiosk, where the "official" trail starts. It crosses some desert flats but almost immediately starts up the steep hillside. Not more than a half-mile later and about 700 feet of gain, the trail peters out at a saddle just south of the summit.

To gain the summit we followed a much scanter use-path for a little bit, sometimes barely able to discern it. This gained up another 100 vertical feet amid brushy slopes and minor rocky obstacles, nothing too severe. Finally, we came upon the first a small set of chutes. From below the chutes looked a little intimidating but every step of the way there were ample handholds and footholds. Only a few spots were potentially dangerous, maybe a 10 or 15-foot tumble. Many of the nooks and crannies were occupied by some pointy cactus or succulent. After a few minutes of this, we emerged up a ramp and onto the summit. The one-way hike had taken us a shade over 90 minutes.

The views are outstanding from this vantage point. The city of Wickenburg splayed out beneath us, while Phoenix and its suburbs were visible way to the southeast. Many rugged and remote mountaintops surrounded us, Harquahala Mountain being the most visible due west. We spent a few minutes enjoying the scenery, then downclimbed the chutes back to the trail, and on out to my truck, a round trip of 3 hours.

For the journey home, I tried something new: I continued south along Vulture Mine Road for another 15 miles or so to its intersection with Wickenburg Road (355th Avenue). This is a very lonely 4-way intersection in the middle of nowhere. Left and south along Wickenburg/355th, we eventually came out onto Indian School Road in the town of Tonopah, then caught Interstate-10 at the 339th Avenue Exit. No traffic, and paved the entire way. I use this now as a bypass, even though it's slightly longer. There is no traffic, which is great.

Beth was a fantastic hiking partner and did very well. So much so in fact I decided to keep her for myself, marrying her a few months later!