Overview

Hype:

Vulture Peak Trail, seven miles south of Wickenburg, Arizona, is a short but steep trail that takes hikers from the base of Vulture Peak (2,480 feet) to a saddle (3,420 feet) just below the summit in only two miles. From this point, experienced hikers can scramble up an extremely steep and narrow chute to the summit of Vulture Peak itself (3,660 feet). The final ascent is not maintained and should be attempted only by experienced and well-conditioned hikers. Vulture Peak 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.

Trail Condition: Class 3 (Trail may have sections where hands are needed. Trail may not be visible in spots or may not exist at all.)

Time: 2-3 hours

Length: 5 miles round trip (or 1.5 mile round trip from high clearance trailhead)

Elevation Gain: 1,100 ft

Fees: None

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Links: https://www.blm.gov/visit/vulture-peak-lower-trailhead

Getting There

Navigate to 33.887693, -112.816166.

Park on the shoulder of the road. Alternatively, a side-by-side or high clearance vehicle can proceed down the 4x4 road and park much closer to Vulture Peak at 33.880032°, -112.802452°.

Route

Follow the well maintained trail east to a saddle just shy of the summit. From here, those comfortable with class 3 scrambling cand proceed up a ravine to the summit. The last ravine is not maintained.

Maps

Closest City or Region: Wickenburg, Arizona

Coordinates: 33.879126, -112.795009

Interactive Guide Map

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February 22, 2025 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye,

Story

After Vulture City, I drove up the road and hiked to the top of Vulture Peak. The trail had quite a few other hikers. I passed 8 or 10 people on the hike up. I found a cell phone that someone had dropped, right as they were calling it, so I reconnected it with them. The view from Vulture Peak was very scenic and rugged, and I really enjoyed that hike. 

On the way down, a lady twisted her ankle right in front of me. I offered to help, but she insisted she was okay. After I'd gone on ahead, I looked back and saw that she was hobbling pretty badly. I considered going back to try to help her but thought it might be more helpful to go back to the trailhead and see if I could flag down a side-by-side to go pick her up. I tried that, but the only side by side I saw passed 100 yd in front of me right before I got there. I felt bad that I couldn't help more but didn't really have a lot else I could do.

 

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Pictures