We saw vultures. Not close-up, mind you, but we saw them hovering around the peak—hence the name Vulture Peak fit perfectly. 

Wow. I had no idea that such a trail existed. Breaking morning tradition, we joined friends Steve and Julie for a mid-afternoon hike and dine in Wickenburg, AZ. The drive was a little over an hour’s from Phoenix, followed by an additional seven or so miles to the Vulture Peak Lower trailhead. If off-roading is your thing, there is a 4WD road that weaves its way to the upper trailhead. 

We opted for the lower trailhead. Dark clouds gathered periodically. Pretty odd for a day with no chance of rain.

The trail meandered through a wash and ascended through stands of saguaros and patches of cholla too numerous to describe — with cholla babies often finding their way to the back of an unsuspecting hiking boot.

At one point, Dave was trying to figure out which was to go. Smugly, I quipped ”look down”.

Eventually, the sun broke through heavy clouds, and the desert glistened in the late afternoon sun. It was like a small slice of heaven.

Fresh air and sun fueled the need for some Mexican fare. We made our way to El Ranchero to celebrate. In hindsight, we had no idea that this would be our “last supper”: Covid-19 had yet to shutter restaurants and ban group activities. That would happen the following week. 

I guess for now, this is the new normal. Maybe those vultures had a premonition. Nah, not likely.