PHEEBS AND I TOOK OURSELVES OUT TO VULTURE PEAK THIS MORNING

AT THE VULTURE PEAK TRAILHEAD WITH VULTURE PEAK IN THE BACKGROUND

An icy cold North wind came in the night and blew all the clouds out of town leaving us with plenty of sunshine this morning.  Although the air was cold it wasn’t long before the first few warming rays began to make themselves felt.

Loaded up the little Bugsy Buns and we were out the door and into the Jeep shortly after 8.  We weren’t long in getting the heater cranked up. Hadn’t been out to the Vulture Peak area since we’ve been here so we made tracks for Wickenburg.  A coffee and muffin at the ‘Pie Cabinet’ and off we headed out Vulture Mine Road.  The coffee was good but I’ll make no comment on the Coffee Cake muffin.

PHEEBS IN THE FOREGROUND WITH VULTURE PEAK IN THE BACKGROUND

THAT CONE SHAPE ON THE LEFT IS CALLED ‘ROUND MOUNTAIN’ AND IS BELIEVED TO BE THE CENTER CONE OF A LONG EXTINCT VOLCANO I THINK….WICKENBURG LIES IN A VALLEY TO THE RIGHT

I was interested in checking out a few boondocking sites on the south side of Vulture Mine Roads so turned left into the desert on Vulture Peak Road.  As expected the hard packed sand and gravel rocky road was a bit on the rough side but still doable with an RV if one took it slow.  Nobody on your old site Peter.

WE DECIDED TO FOLLOW THAT JEEP TRAIL AHEAD TO SEE WHERE IT WENT

We continued along this road for a short distance before stopping for a leg stretch at a turn around spot.  Nice area and we had been here half a dozen times since March of 2012. 

TOOK THIS PHOTO LAST MARCH PARKED IN THE SAME SPOT WE WERE PARKED THIS MORNING

SONORAN DESERT MEANS GREEN DESERT

A CLOSER LOOK AT VULTURE PEAK FROM THE NORTHEAST SIDE

While out for a short walk I noticed a pink Jeep Wrangler come up the road then head off down a Jeep trail near where Libby was parked.  When we got back to the Jeep we headed off down the same trail that pink Jeep had taken.  Saw a few familiar spots so knew I had driven down that stretch before but we followed the Jeep tracks further into an area where I knew we hadn’t been.  I was hoping the road would lead in closer to the base of Vulture Peak which it might have but we came across a ‘cowboy gate’ and decided to turn around.  I think next time we’ll maybe slip through that gate and see where it takes us.

BECAUSE OF THE HIGH BACK SEAT I WONDERED IF THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN A GUIDED SATURDAY MORNING JEEP TOUR OUT OF WICKENBURG

THE TRAIL WAS A BIT CHOPPY IN A FEW SPOTS BUT RELATIVELY EASY WITH A 4 WHEEL DRIVE

I LOVE DRIVING ALL THESE DESERT JEEP TRAILS FOUND THROUGHOUT THE GREAT AMERICAN SOUTHWEST

SPOTTED THE PARTIALLY HIDDEN PINK JEEP AGAIN SITTING ATOP A RIDGLE LINE WATCHING US GO BY

Back to Vulture Mine Road we turned left and headed a few miles further south then turned around at the Vulture Peak trailhead parking area.  Some nice boondocking sites here but you can’t let your dog run free because this area is heavily laced with Teddy Bear Chollas and you don’t want your dog getting into those things or it could mean a painful trip to the Vet.  There were about a dozen RV’s scattered about with most of them having towed trailers in with ATV’s on board.  I’m sure all these folks will be on the roads and trails leading to the base of Vulture Peak.  Kelly and I have hiked the trail and walked the road which leads to a parking area on the way to the peak.  If I had had an ATV this is one of the treks I would have liked to do.

THOSE ARE ALL TEDDY BEAR CHOLLAS LINING THE DIRT ROAD TO THE TRAILHEAD

VULTURE PEAK TRAILHEAD

From the trailhead we headed back to Vulture Mine Road and turned right in the direction of Wickenburg.  Toyed with the idea of heading over into Box Canyon but figured we’d save that for another day.  Slipped East into an through Wickenburg then swung North for Congress.  We were back home before 11 and oh how nice it was to be out for a drive this morning after hanging around the house for the last 3 days.

CONGRESS ARIZONA STRAIGHT AHEAD ABOUT 15 MILES AT THE BASE OF THE DISTANT WEAVER MOUNTAINS ON THE HORIZON

Winds died down in the afternoon and with temperatures around 65F I actually felt a nice touch of warmth in the air.  With sunshine streaming through the Motorhomes two big living room windows and skylight the rig was toasty enough inside for me to spend time cleaning up the front cockpit area and getting things ship-shape for possible travel soon.  Although our rig is nearly 15 years old I am always impressed with the Amish craftsmanship that went into it.  And it also shows how well our Winkler Manitoba Canadian made Triple E Commander had been so exceptionally well maintained by it’s previous owner since new.  Many extras and innovations.  Yes we did have some problems our first couple years but that’s all behind us now.  Fingers crossed for trouble free future travels……………….

JUST SOAKING MYSELF UP A FEW WARM SATURDAY MORNING RAYS DAD:))

GROANER’S CORNER:(( Three vampires walk into a bar and sit down at a table. The waitress comes over and asks the first vampire what he would like. The first vampire responds, "I vould like some blood."  The waitress turns to the second vampire and asks what he would like. The vampire responds, "I vould like some blood."  The waitress turns to the third vampire and asks what he would like. The vampire responds, "I vould like some plasma."
The waitress looks up and says, "Let me see if I have this order correct. You want two bloods and a blood light, right?"

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A tramp knocked on the door of the inn known as St. George and the Dragon. The landlady answered the door.  The tramp said, “Could you give a poor man something to eat?”  "No,” said the woman, slamming the door in his face.
He knocked again and said, “Could I have a few words with George?”

WICKENBURG’S VULTURE PEAK…BEAUTIFUL AREA

THE TRAIL TO VULTURE PEAK

Where once mornings began warming up about 10 a.m. after a chilly night, we’ve noticed it’s getting pretty warm out here by 9 now.  And the nights are warmer too.  And, we no longer have to put a warm jacket on at 4 in the afternoon.

  

I THINK DESERT POPPIES ARE BEGINNING TO BLOOM

The night sky was beautiful Thursday night with a crescent Moon low in the west & Planets Venus & Jupiter just above.  In the next few nights the Moon will move through Jupiter & Venus making for a rare & beautiful sight just after sunset.

THE COWS BIG IRON WATER TANK NEAR US

We were happy to see a return of horses this morning & counted 8 of them moving through the Mesquite & Desert Brooms near our rig.

 

 

   

We were on the road heading for Vulture Peak about 9:30.    Had we known the 200 mile RAGNAR RELAY RACE was being run from Wickenburg to Phoenix today we might have held off on our Vulture Peak drive until Monday.  Vulture Mine Road was loaded with runners & countless support vehicles all the way up & beyond Vulture Peak.  The driving was slow with so many young marathoners running.  Drove out as far as the Vulture Peak Mine site before turning around & heading back to a very crowded parking lot at the Vulture Peak Trailhead.  Fortunately the road heading from that parking lot further in to the Vulture Peak Trailhead was free & clear.

  

What a beautiful area this is & we saw people boon docking with lots of room between them.  Because of the higher altitude the vegetation is totally different than the valley floor below.  This is the land of giant Saguaros, Ocotillos, Prickly Pear Cactus & Agave plants.  It is the true Sonoran Desert at it’s greenest.  With Vulture Peak & it’s jagged ridge lines in the background I felt this was some of the finest scenery we have seen in our travels.

 

We right away thought of bringing the rig up there but then noticed something that quickly changed our minds.    There is another beautiful cactus that lives at the altitude, but this one can hurt you & especially hurt your pet.  Teddy Bear Cholla!!  We were virtually in a Teddy Bear Cholla garden.  Beautiful as all get out but we know first hand how terribly painful these Cholla barbs are.  We knew this would not be a safe place for Pheebs & Motor.  Once those Cholla barbs imbed themselves in a dog’s paw it is a major problem.  Dogs will immediately try to pull them out with their teeth & that makes things worse because the barbs then become imbedded in the dog’s mouth.  Pliers are about the only tool to get them out.  And, you had better be wearing thick gloves.  As often as not pets have to be taken to a Vet & sedated before the hooked barbs can be removed.

 

THESE ARE TEDDY BEAR CHOLLA

We parked at the Vulture Peak Trailhead.  Clean pit toilets here by the way.  At the trailhead, one has a choice.  Either hike the moderate, but very scenic 1.4 mile uphill trail or take the Jeep Road.  Kelly had read some literature which described this Jeep road as being exceptionally rough.  With that in mind we decided to hike the trail.  Besides, we needed the exercise far more than our Jeep did anyway.

 

KELLY SIGNS THE TRAIL LOG & HEADS ON UP TOWARDS VULTURE PEAK

It’s a beautiful trail which winds you along a sandy & sometimes rocky path through towering Saguaros.  The views all around are second to none.  Many species of cactus everywhere & it is a truly fine desert landscape.  The grades are manageable with a little huffing & puffing here & there.  Good hiking boots are a must for some of the rock scrambles & loose gravely stones underfoot.  Take your time, take water, & stop to enjoy the views around you.  From the lower trailhead to the upper trailhead took us 40 minutes.

CHATTING WITH SOME FELLOW HIKERS

  

THE PATH SOMETIMES PARALLELS THE JEEP ROAD

The upper trailhead is where the Jeep road ends as well.  From this point on the trail takes on a whole different personality & if your not in good shape, we hear it’s not wise to proceed up beyond this point.  Standing at the trailhead with Vulture Peak towering over us we could see the difficulties ahead & knew this is as far as we would go…….today.  Maybe a few years ago before I began having leg problems I might have thought, “ya, let’s do it.”  But, after hiking uphill for 40 minutes, my legs were bothering me & I knew it wasn’t wise to go any further.

WE WENT AS FAR AS THE UPPER TRAIL HEAD…NEXT TIME WE WILL CLIMB TO THAT ‘V’ IN THE MOUNTAIN TOP RIGHT

 

KELLY STANDS IN THE UPPER TRAIL HEAD JEEP PARKING LOT

Decided next time we return to this area we will Jeep up to this point & then do the next leg of the hike up to what is called, the Saddle.  I’m sure I would enjoy that climb.  But, what about this bad Jeep road Kelly read about.  Well, only one way to find out so we decided to walk the entire road all the way back down the mountainside to the lower trailhead.

WE START BACK DOWN THE ROUGH & TUMBLE JEEP ROAD

  

MOST OF THE ROAD TURNS OUT TO BE JUST FINE 

Aside from a few moderate rock climbs near the upper trailhead & some short steep up & down gully whomps close to the lower trailhead this road is a piece of cake for any high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle.  The Jeep road is also an easier walk for folks either up or down than the trail but not nearly as scenic.  I would suggest walking up the Jeep road & hiking back down along the scenic trail.  Again, what a beautiful area this is & it is a ‘must see’ if you are in the area.

 

ONE GULLY WHUMP AREA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE JEEP ROAD

On the way back down Vulture Mine Road to Wickenburg we Jeeped off some side roads to check out some future boon docking sites.  And, once you get below a certain altitude there are no longer Teddy Bear Chollas present.  Here’s a boon docking area I would suggest……  Coming up Vulture Hill road from Wickenburg, watch for a road off to your left called Vulture Peak Road.  This is a wide hard packed dirt road & fine for Motor Homes & Trailers.  We drove in a mile before turning around & in that mile we saw about a dozen large & easily accessible fairly flat boon docking sites.  And, Vulture Peak itself is easily seen from most of these sites.  This would be a great scenic spot to set up camp & explore the surrounding Wickenburg area.  We did check out another spot further up the mountain on the right with about 6 rigs in it.  This would probably be suitable for most folks but we didn’t care for it.  It’s basically just a large dirt parking lot & certainly does not have the ‘WOW’ factor going for it.  ‘WOW’ factor is always important for us:))

CAN I GO OVER & PLAY WITH MY PALS, DAD

We were back in the scenic little town of Wickenburg by 12:45 which was just in time to get ourselves into the very popular lunch line at a burger place called, ‘Screamers’.  And, what did I have at Screamers…..why a Screamerburger of course.  Kelly had one as well with a chocolate milkshake.  Good burgs for sure even if we did end up waiting half an hour for them.

 

 

 

PHEEBS & HER PALS WERE AT IT AGAIN TODAY

From there it was back to the rig for a relaxing afternoon of relaxation & resting my legs.  I’m afraid my legs are becoming my Achilles Heel:((

 

GROANER’S CORNER:((  An old television star who's show has been on for years and was recently cancelled runs into a news reporter on the street. "Do you personally answer the hundreds of letters of adoration that have been pouring into the studio everyday demanding that your show be renewed?" asks the reporter. "Goodness No!" replied the actor, "I hardly have time to write them."

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