Up

Vulture Peak Trail, 7 miles south of Wickenburg, AZ, is a short but steep trail that takes hikers from the base of Vulture Peak (2380') to a saddle (3420') just below the summit in only 2 miles.  From this point, experienced hikers can scramble up an extremely steep and narrow chute to the summit of Vulture Peak itself (3660').  The final ascent is not maintained and should be attempted only by experienced and well-conditioned hikers.  The trail meanders through classic Sonoran Desert landscapes, including dense stands of saguaro, ocotillo, cholla, and other cactus varieties, crosses wide desert washes, and offers dramatic scenic vistas of rugged desert mountain ranges and valleys in all directions.

After staying in this area for at least 1/2 dozen times over the years, Duane and I finally headed up the mountain.

Duane made it to just below the final push toward the saddle.  I pushed on

Just below the saddle, the trail ran around the left.

It was a tough slog for this 70-year-old with thin bones, but the view was worth it.

I knew that I wasn't up to topping the peak

Down I went.

We left the truck at 9am, and returned at 1pm--normal for us 1-2 mile-an-hour sloggers.

 Visits with friends for the next 3 days.

Louise and Duane

The Latest

Behind North Ranch Escapees  RV Park homeowners like their yard art.  The current trend is to use ceramic dishes and pots to make towers and flowers.

The exception was a tower made of cookie jars separated by platters.

Maybe we'll hike tomorrow.

Louise and Duane

Short Trip

Chore day today, but we took timeout to drive up Yarnell Hill for breakfast at the local diner. 

The Ranch House is a tiny little place open only on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, serves only breakfast but lunch.  It 's usually packed every Saturday and Sunday.

On the way down the hill we stopped to pay our respects to the Granite Mountain Hot Shots.  The Memorial State Park pays tribute to 19 of the 20 wild fire fighters who lost their lives in  a fire started by lightning striking west of Yarnell.  The park consists of a small parking area, a couple of portapots,  two awnings, and the trailhead leading up to and over the top of the mountain to the spot where, on June 30, 2013 a sudden wind change blew the fire back on the firefighters.  They were overrun by the flames in a box canyon.  The fire was too intense and moving too quickly for their shelters to protect them.

The far awning covers a bronze statue commemorating all the Hot Shots,

the other covers info boards with a map of the trail

and information about the trail.

Another board introduces the Hot Shots.

These young men will not be forgotten.  

Relaxing day tomorrow.

Louise and Duane 

Swirling Around

 Rolling out at 11am for another of our favorite rides Duane and I led the way to Bagdad with Brock and Leola in the middle 

and friends Doug and Jan riding sweep.  The last time we saw them was on Aug. 8 in Washington (Crabby People blog).  They had just returned to their home in Congress and were ready for a long ride.

There's only one way to Bagdad from Congress--north on AZ 89 through Yarnell, Peeples Valley, Kirkland, and Skull Valley, then northwest on AZ 96 to Bagdad.

Up the "Hill" we snaked

then swirled along the road among hills and valleys of creosote, prickly pear, saguaro, and palo verde, and many different rock formations.

The road ends at Bagdad

where we stopped at the Main St. Diner for lunch.

Great ride, great friends

Louise and Duane

Scenic Scenes

 Some stuff we experienced on our Monday ride through Prescott, Skull Valley, and Kirkland:

Mirror selfie on a leaning tight curve

a mamma (propane) sow and all her little piggies

garter snake road

deep blue sky with basalt hoodoos

railroad, Hassayampa River bed, road

old windmill and water tank

 twisty road leading to Congress at the end of it viewed from road down Yarnell Hill.

Bagdad tomorrow

Louise and Duane