The Mountains of Arizona
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Peak 3087 • Peak 3116 These two peaks flank Vulture Peak, one to the northeast, one northwest. I was in the area two days ago, climbing three peaks in the Merritt Hills. The weather was unsettled these past few days, shutting out the higher peaks, and leaving me with little option but to pick off some hills in this area, where the storms were not as big a factor. I was up early and out the door at 4:10 a.m., once again following the routes into Wickenburg. I did not stop, just driving on through town to Vulture Mine Road. It was still a little early and dark, so I spent about fifteen minutes parked in a Safeway lot. When the sun rose a little more, I resumed my drive.
Date: September 17, 2026
• Elevation: 3,087 feet
• Prominence: 301 feet
• Distance: 4.2 miles
• Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
• Gain: 540 feet
• Conditions: Cloudy, very humid
Arizona
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PB
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LoJ
On Vulture Mine Road, I went south about three or four miles until I was out of town. I turned south onto Vulture Peak Road, a rough dirt track that heads mostly south and southeast toward Peak 3087.
It was still mostly dark so I had to go slow while managing this road, which was dirt and rock, and in very haggard shape. The rains from the past couple days left puddles as well as making some parts feel a little slick.
I didn't get too far, about abeam of a small hill with a beacon atop it. I hit a sand patch that I knew immediately could be bad news. It was soft and deep and just a little moist. I was yawing and slowing, with almost no traction. I immediately steered into the bank and got my right tires up onto the bank, which was about 6 inches high. At least I had traction.
I was able to reverse and maneuver to get my car out of this sandy segment, parking on firmer ground about fifty feet back. That was a close call. I was a little under two miles from the peak. I'd be walking from here, I guess.
The day was cloudy and extremely humid. The storms had passed through yesterday so there was almost no chance of storms today. But the moisture was in the air. The outside temperature was about 73°, and the dewpoint probably at 72°.
I started walking at 6:15 a.m., still dark, as the sun was blocked by clouds. I followed the track south. Peak 3087 rose to the left, a pyramid-shaped hill, while the blocky massif of Vulture Peak rose to the right. I made good time on the road.
The road splits, and a lesser track goes more south, cutting between the two peaks. I stayed on it until it felt right to leave the road and start up the slopes. I was doing this blindly for the moment. I picked a slope, started up, dropped into an arroyo, and kept going in and up until I topped out on a ridge. I crossed one fence along the way.
I was on a ridge now and could see the peak ahead. It all looked friendly. The slopes were brushy but with openings, and the rocks did their usual thing. The grass was light. I just kept to the ridge I was on and kept aiming for the peak.
Shortly, I was below the peak itself. The last slope was a little steeper and looser, but it was easy, and I was on top, about 45 minutes after starting out. I found a register and signed in, the first in five years.
Views were good but the light was muted by the clouds. Still, I had an excellent view of Vulture Peak, plus the surrounding hills and valleys. I spent a couple minutes here, never really stopping, but taking time to look around.
Going down, I followed mostly what I had coming up, but I went with what looked like an easy ridge, and it was. It dropped me onto the road a little south from where I left it. Once on the road, I had an easy walk back to my car. The round trip covered a little over four miles and took an hour and forty minutes. Having to park early added distance and time.
The sun came out just as I finished, so I got some better images. It was still warm and muggy, maybe two degrees warmer than when I started. I slid my sweaty self into the car and drove out, now aiming for Peak 3116.
Elevation: 3,116 feet
• Prominence: 351 feet
• Distance: 1.4 miles
• Time: 1 hour
• Gain: 550 feet
• Conditions: Sunnier, still ass humid
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LoJ
Back on Vulture Mine Road, I went south just a couple miles, until abeam of Peak 3116, which rises beside the road and is notable for its big blocky summit. I found a pull-off on the other side of the road to park, hidden from view from passing motorists.
I was on the move quickly. I crossed the road and entered onto a track, then bailed off that and started up onto the brushy slopes. I was aiming for a lowpoint in the ridge to the north of the summit block.
Once out of the arroyos and high enough to see my way, I went upwards and over, the slopes behaving nicely. Brush was moderate but always with a lane to follow.
I crossed one drainage then up more slope, now on the ridge that emanates down from that lowpoint. Once on it, it looked very friendly. Just a steep slope up to the ridge, no cliffs or other barriers.
Once on the high ridge, I could see the summit block better. Whereas on the west (road) side, it looks like one massive cliff, on its east side, it has a nice slope that leads most of the way to the top. I even found a path on the ridge.
I didn't have far to walk, and within minutes was on the grassy slope. It was steep but easy, a little grassier than preferred. Finally, I was at the summit block. I ambled up one rock slab, using hands for balance, and that was it, I was on top. The one-way trip had taken a half hour.
With the sun out, I had good lighting for photos. I signed into the register, and sat for a couple minutes. Conditions were actually nice. Humid, but otherwise mellow.
Going down, I repeated my entire route. The outbound hike took about 25 minutes, and I was back to my car a little after 9 a.m.. This hike had gone well, easier than expected, and with fine views. For a small peak beside a road, it is a worthy hike.
I had no more peaks planned. The sun was up and it was warming, and I needed to be back in town before long. I followed Vulture Mine Road south to the Wickenburg-Aguila Road, then that south to 355th Avenue and back to the western fringes of civilization.
From here, I just got on Interstate-10 and battled with trucks and motorists all the way into Tempe. It was late morning so traffic was heavy but it moved. I showered on campus and rested before attending to my duties that night.
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