From I-10, take Exit 103 and drive north on North 339th Avenue for 3.4 kilometres to a T-intersection with West Indian School Road.  Turn left and drive west for 3.2 kilometres to the intersection with North 355th Avenue.  Turn right and drive north for 27.0 kilometres to the intersection with Vulture Mine Road.  Turn right and drive north for 20.0 kilometres before turning right again into a large pullout where RVs might be camped.  This pullout can also be reached from the north.  From the junction with Highway 93 in the town of Wickenburg, drive west on Highway 60 for 4.5 kilometres and turn left onto Vulture Mine Road.  Drive south for 11.0 kilometres and turn left into the same large pullout.  Follow a gravel road past the pullout for another 700 metres to the first trailhead (toilet and shelter).  Vehicles with high clearance can drive to a second trailhead (no facilities) about 2.4 kilometres further.

From the first trailhead, we followed the continuation of the dirt road and dropped into Syndicate Wash before climbing out on a footpath heading east to the second trailhead.  The myriad of trails, roads and washes crisscrossing throughout this area can be a bit confusing, but thankfully, the proper route is signed and easy to follow.  Beyond the second trailhead, the trail climbs up the western slopes of Vulture Peak on well-designed switchbacks and ends at a high col just south of the summit.  We finished the ascent with a moderate scramble up a narrow gully that runs from the col right to the top.

After taking a lengthy break at the summit, we carefully descended the narrow gully without mishap.  The remainder of our descent was quick and easy, and we also took a couple of short cuts, possibly inadvertently, on the hike back to the first trailhead.

Upon returning to our car, we promptly packed our gear and headed north.

Dawn arrives at Vulture Peak (silhouette at far left).

	Zosia follows a good trail leading to the second trailhead.
	Zosia reads an interpretive display at the second trailhead.  Vulture Peak is just ahead.
	The trail climbs up alongside these red cliffs.
	Sonny passes a couple of saguaro cacti just before reaching a high col. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	At a high col, Zosia heads for the narrow gully at left.
	Zosia scrambles up the narrow gully to access the summit.
	Zosia tags a lower point along the summit ridge.
	The view to the west includes Black Butte and Harquahala Mountain on the central horizon.  The approach trail for Vulture Peak is also visible at bottom right.
	Sonny and Zosia stand on the summit of Vulture Peak (1104 metres).
	The summit register is in an ammo box along with other curious items. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia carefully descends the narrow gully on the return trip.
	Sonny slithers down an awkward section in the narrow gully. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Back at the high col, Zosia regains and descends the approach trail.

Zosia blends in nicely among the saguaro cacti.

 

Total Distance:  6.9 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  3 hours 48 minutes Net Elevation Gain:  344 metres GPX Data

Later in the day, we arrived in Prescott and stopped for lunch at Thumb Butte Recreation Area ($5 USD day use charge but free on Wednesdays).  The recreation area is accessed by heading west on Gurley Street for 5.6 kilometres from the intersection with Montezuma Street.  Gurley Street eventually turns into Thumb Butte Drive, and the recreation area is on the right.

After lunch, we hiked Thumb Butte Loop, a popular hiking path which climbs over the southwest shoulder of a prominent outcrop of rock overlooking the town of Prescott.  Unfortunately, access to the summit of Thumb Butte is prohibited between February and July every year in order to prevent disturbances to the courtship and breeding of peregrine falcons.  Disappointingly, we had to settle on reaching a lower viewpoint which has some interpretive displays about the surrounding landscape.

Upon returning to the recreation area, we continued our drive to Sedona and ultimately stopped just on the outskirts of the town to camp for the night.

	Sonny hikes along the western section of Thumb Butte Loop. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	The top of Thumb Butte appears behind Zosia.
	The viewpoint grants a nice perspective of Thumb Butte and the town of Prescott.
	A fence blocks access to the summit of Thumb Butte.
	A sign explains the seasonal closure of Thumb Butte's summit.
	Zosia heads down a paved section of the loop.
	Total Distance:  3.7 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  1 hour 53 minutes Net Elevation Gain to Viewpoint:  178 metres GPX Data