Vulture Mine Road

While the actual Vulture Mine is well north, the unpaved remainder of that road runs through the heart of the ruggedly beautiful Belmont Mountains, a seldom visited portion of south-central Arizona. The trail starts in the north as a nicely maintained dirt road that services the Belmont Pit, a rock quarry. Between the quarry and the intersection with Belmont Mine Road, the road is easily traveled rough dirt, crossing numerous sandy washes. The northern trailhead has two large staging areas.

The road deteriorates south of the intersection with Belmont Mine Road as it crosses a rough pass through the mountains. There are several steep climbs with loose rock and a narrow off-camber shelf road obstacle. The trail precariously tilts 28 degrees down the side slope crossing the obstacle. This section of trail is not suitable for full-width vehicles. Use Belmont Mine Road and W. W. Enterprize Mine to bypass this challenging section of trail. Vulture Mine ends in the south at Canal Road.

Abundant spring rains bring colorful wildflowers to the austere Belmonts. Look for the rock window on the west side of the trail just south of the intersection with Belmont Mine Road.

The northern 6 miles of the trail host abundant large flat campsites suitable for groups, large rigs, and toy haulers.