Nice desert hike. We hiked on a Thursday and saw only about a half dozen other hikers on the trail. The trail is easy to follow and as others have described is an easy hike for the first mile. The second mile from the 4WD trailhead to the saddle is more difficult due to the trail being steep, having a lot of loose rocks and limited use of switchbacks. We were satisfied with reaching the saddle and didn’t attempt the more technical climb to the summit.

Nice little hike to start the New Year! Thanks for organizing this, Pam! I can't believe none of us offered to help carry some of the party supplies Thanks for bringing sparkling cider for the designated hikers! It was great to meet some new HAZ folks! I'm still worried about Bob and his cardboard friend though. Good thing we're having an intervention for him on the 12th.

Hmmm....For the first time, I actually have Writer's Block... Not good, considering what a great day it was...

2 hours and a half a pack later, I've got it now...I just had to figure out how and where to start...

I kept looking at pictures of that Peak and the thought of another heavy pack, up another difficult Peak was psyching me out, so I figured what the pumpkin and weighed my pack before I walked out the door. Psyche!!! 3 Full sized Bottles, (2 Champagnes, 1 non-Alcoholic Sparkling Cider, all wrapped in bubble wrap) 3 Tupperwares, (2 Cookies, 1 Chocolate covered Strawberries) 1 bag of Plastic party glasses, corkscrew, (just in case) 2 liters of Water and my barest of minimal gear, including a jacket, and I was out the door...I didn't put it on, but just lifting it, it felt heavier than my one and only Backpack trip....

The drive didn't take as long as I thought and even after a long wait at Micky D's in Wickenburg, I hit the TH about 8:30. I was the sole vehicle at the TH at that time. It was a tad chilly. I got a text from an unknown saying they were at Mickey D's and would hit the TH about 9:15. Kinda suspected it was from Randal with the "we" in the text. I knew he drove a purdy Red Truck, so when a dark Blue one came roaring up the road towards me, my first thought was that someone had been taking driving lessons from Todd. I forgot what color his Truck was, but sure enough, no one can drive like that except Todd, so when he popped out of the cab with his Mardi Gras Beads, Top Hat, Tiara, and something to keep his Kilt Lifted, I knew I shouldn't have been surprised...

Before too long, the Parking Lot started to really come to life, as Barrett and Preston showed up after an unsuccessful Arch Quest, followed by Dave and his wife, and then Randal and crew. Patrick pulled up the rear, but didn't stay in that position the rest of the day... We decided that with so many capable Toyotas in town, there was no need to start there and we all piled in the three Tacos for a fun little ride up to the upper TH...Something got into Todd, and he spared us from premature adrenalin on the way up... Either that, or I scared him when I told him that the Bottles were just sparingly padded...

On the drive up, we encountered a Hare with Rocketfeet, carrying a life sized Tortoise...Not something you see everyday... They weren't hitchhiking, and I guess one look at the Crew in front of them made them decline a ride. They probably felt safer on foot...

Finally assembled and ready to go at the upper TH, minus one member who was going to catch up to us later. Slung on the Pack for the first time, and it actually wasn't as bad as it felt...That pack has always been super comfortable and worth it's weight in gold... Everyone insisted that I be first out of the gate, but knowing the Crew I was hobnobbing with, I quickly surrendered that lead about 10 steps in... That would be almost the last I would see out of the fastest 8 until the Peak... But I was surprised. Yes, it was a gasper going up, but I actually had a little company this time and made the Saddle in fairly decent time. Preston and Randal stopped for a bit to wait for Randal's friend, Dave, who had a bum knee. I stopped long enough to catch my breath and decided to keep pressing, as I knew, typically, just about everyone was waiting. It was actually a fun Scramble up from the Saddle. Patrick popped his head over and spotted me a better area in the most difficult section. A little challenging, but not bad...I've seen and done worse...

And I arrive...To an awesome Party already in full swing... Dropped the Pack, took a little time to absorb the views, take some pictures and then it was time to indulge. Unpacked the treats onto a nice, little Rock Ledge, and we went to town! Bob, the Rocketfooted Bartender, nicely opened and poured while Denny looked on and kept grinning...

I drink Champagne very seldom, but I can tell you that that was the best tasting Champagne I have ever had. Wow! Not only did it taste good, but it also cut the thirst from the exertion, so it was double awesome. We toasted and drank and ate and joked and laughed. It was almost perfect!!! It became more perfect when a Yeti's head popped up from the notch and landed on top. Preston finally caught up to us!!! So the banter kept right on going with fresh meat... After more rounds of laughter, another Tour around the Peak, Photo Ops, a Group Shot and cursing the missed shot of the Stealth Bombers going overhead, it was time to head down and meet up with the other Preston and Dave, who couldn't quite make it up to the Peak. I wanted to catch up to them and share some of the treats, as I didn't want them to be totally left out... Just as we were leaving, another group showed up and told us that Preston had left the Saddle and was on his way back to the TH. I was still hoping to catch him, but we never did. Turns out, he took a shortcut back to his car and was anxious about getting home for the Rose Bowl. Sorry to hear your team lost Preston... Did catch up to Dave and we all piled back into the trucks for the ride back.

Upon our return to the lower TH, Randal pulls a Tailgate Party out of his hat and treats us all to barbecued Hebrew Nationals and Cheese Puffs, along with a few more Brews...WTG Randal! Awesome! It was the perfect way to wind down before we all went our separate ways and went exploring again... After coming down to the lower TH, I'm glad I set the start time I did, the Parking Lot was packed!...

What a great day, with a great group of friends, new and old. A huge thanks to everyone for joining me and helping me welcome in the New Year! It rocked!! 13 very cool people helped lighten my pack at the top and then packed it all out...Not a drop remained... I think this is going to become an awesome Tradition and am looking forward to doing it all over again next year! Extra special thanks to Bartender Bob, who has joined me now for two years in a row! I hope more of you can join in on that streak next year...

Happy New Year HAZers!!!!

I was awakened early on New Year's and decided that instead of going back to sleep I should join up with the big HAZ group celebrating the holiday at Vulture Peak. As I crossed the Hassayampa in Wickenburg just before 9am, the thermometer logged 29 degrees.

I got to the TH and only Pam was there already. But by 9:30 we piled into three of our Tacos and decided to drive the 4wd road to the upper trailhead. Along the way, I almost ran down Denny and Bob who had come in from another parking area about 1/2 a mile closer to town than the actual trailhead parking.

A small group of us made quick time to the saddle before taking a short break and heading to the peak. Eventually everybody made it up and Pam pulled out the champagne and snacks. Somebody not associated with our group stopped by and lit some fireworks to celebrate the day with us. Preston decided to join in and we all managed to help Pam lighten the load for the hike down.

Back at the TH, Randall served up delicous grilled dogs and Cags before we all headed our separate ways. It was nice to see the familiar faces and meet the new ones. Thanks Pam for putting it all together!

(From the upper TH, I had the ascent at .82mi and 986ft).

Note: The 4.2 miles and 1340 feet is from the fancy (lower) trailhead, not the upper trailhead. From there, it is more like 1.0 miles and 1100 feet to the peak. (I measured .8 and 880 to the saddle.) Looking at it from the TH, I was like, no way, it's straight up. But really, it is not bad, steep but steady. Personally, I made it up to the saddle, bringing up the pacing-ourselves rear with Pam and Randal. I started up the chute to the peak, and about halfway up the climbing section started to feel uncomfortable. Not physically, but mentally: The actual climbing, and angle, made me think I better go back to the saddle so I didn't freak out and become one of those "that guy"s you see being choppered off Camelback every week. (It's not the altitude -- I used to jump out of airplanes -- but rather the thought of doing endos down a cactus-strewn cliff.) Pam was a real trooper humping a 35-pound pack all the way to the top! So, I explored around the saddle, for about 45 minutes, then headed back down where I eventually met up with Randal's pal who had popped his knee en route and was slowly heading back. Got back to the upper TH, then followed washes and side jeep trails back to where I parked my car, at the access about .5 miles north of the lower TH entrance off Vulture Mine Rd.

Getting a late start after a late New Years Eve, I hiked as fast as I could up Vulture Peak. I met kingsnake at the saddle, and the rest of the group (including Flat Denny ) at the top, where we enjoyed champagne and snacks courtesy of Pam. After photos and revelry, our group descended to the trailhead, where Randal hosted a tailgate party and grilled hot dogs. After the party wrapped up we went our separate ways.

Thank you Pam for organizing this fun hike and for hauling all the party supplies up to the top of Vulture Peak, and thank you Randal for lunch! It was great to hike with old friends and meet new ones!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2a1j_05 ... Qw&index=1

New Year's Day on Vulture Peak


Pam (aka Outdoor Lover) organized a New Year's Day trek scaling Vulture Peak to kick off 2013 => viewtopic.php?t=7328 .

6:45am rendezvous with Mike, Dave, and Matt at the Ahwatukee Einstein's Bagels and we hit the road to meet up with Pam et al at the Vulture Peak TH 9-ish. It was an impressive show by Pam getting all the appropriate gear to the top of the peak where we all indulged in the treats with a view.

We had time for a Cag and a Hebrew back at the TH. Good to see some HAZ'ers I haven't seen in a while, plus a few new ones! We even had a surprise visit from "Flat Denny"...

Made our way to Vulture Mine (check out => http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=15907 and http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/az/vulturecity.html ) after saying our good-byes only to be disappointed by the "CLOSED" sign! Seems that the mine is only "OPEN" on Saturday's at 9:30am for a guided tour...

i've been wanting to do this peak for a few weeks, but the drive to wickenburg seemed a little long for a 4.2 mile hike
so the east siders headed west to do this one and had a second hike in mind to make the drive worthwhile
took off from the lower trailhead just after sunrise and it was a little chilly to start
the first mile or so doesn't climb much
the trail winds in and out of some beautiful desert with vulture peak dead ahead
after the upper trailhead, the incline increases, heading up to a saddle
a short scramble from there, and you're on top
nice summit area with an ammo can sign-in
great views of the mountain ranges and the odd RV area
another peak that i would hike quite often if it was closer

After visiting family in Yarnell, I just kept driving south. The Vulture was calling. Hit the trail at 4:30 pm and made the summit in under an hour, where I wallowed in the late afternoon light enjoying the view. Chuparosa bushes were starting to flower and the Johnson Pineapple cacti had little buds forming. Made it back at dusk as a bright moon rose over Vulture Peak. I drove into the night listening to streetgrass and contemplating the future.

Heading south down Yarnell Hill on highway 89, the silhouette of Vulture Peak came into view in the hazy distance. It would be my first visit to this area in nearly a decade and I knew it was going to be a fun day.

I arrived at the Vulture Peak trailhead late morning, surrounded by beautiful desert hill country, and promptly set off. The countryside was green from recent rains. Numerous cacti made me feel right at home, including one specie I had never before seen in its native habitat.

Sweat laced with sunblock burned my eyes as I began the climb up Vulture Peak's western slope, where I encountered the first group of hikers returning from the summit. The desert floor grew distant, and I soon reached the saddle. The last little climb to the summit was a fun scramble up the rocks. After roaming around on the summit, I sat down to enjoy a sandwich and a view. The crows and I were the only ones on top the entire time.

I made a leisurely return hike, taking in the sights and just enjoying the desert experience. Along the way I replanted a large twin barrel cactus that had uprooted itself after tipping over. Wanting some additional exercise, I hiked up the 4wd road towards the peak then took the trail back.

The day was getting late, so I left the desert playground behind, rehydrated at Circle K in Wickenburg, then made the scenic drive home through Congress, Yarnell, etc. I could not have had a more satisfying day.