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| AB Young - Buckhead - West Fork Loop, AZ | |
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| | AB Young - Buckhead - West Fork Loop, AZ | | | |
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AB Young - Buckhead - West Fork Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 14.24 Miles |
3,153 AEG |
| | Hiking | 14.24 Miles | 8 Hrs 9 Mns | | 1.95 mph |
| 3,153 ft AEG | 50 Mns Break | 14 LBS Pack | | |
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| Partners |
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[ show ]
| partners | | Needed a hike that wouldn't fry the @The_Eagle. This loop goes up AB Young to the lookout tower. We met Guy manning the tower and chatted for a bit. He's drawn the surrounding peaks on the windows. Simple and effective for him to learn and visitors to gander.
Next we strolled the forest roads over to Buckhead Point. This is between the famous Immaculate and Illusions canyoneering routes. After pondering over topo and satellite views it seemed doable. Most notably the option to abort and a shorter than normal hike to allow time for adjustments.
Heading down was steep. A short unnecessary stretch of mega thorn locust was the most undesirable part near the top. Most of the route is through a burned area. Just slow going hopping over dead trees, dealing with loose terrain, dodging and sometimes laying in poising ivy.
Just before meeting up with West Fork and Illusions we walked through a nice halfpipe subway. The end of which was the only downclimb. About ten to fifteen feet straight down a slickrock funnel. Luckily someone propped up a jj ladder. This dead tree worked but it's on it's last leg and potentially dangerous. With nice sticky shoes you could stem down.
Turning into West Fork we immediately saw a group lunching. It's been 9 years since I've hiked lower West Fork. Being a huge Autumn fan, summer out here never appealed. This is the first time I got to experience West Fork past the 3mi trail too.
Not as many people as expected. West Fork is spectacular. Summer just doesn't compare to Autumn IMO. We hiked the highway back to Bootlegger which was hands down the scariest part of the day. Instead, arrange a shuttle and be safe.
Great to get a hike with a little bite for a change! |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
Patch of nice Wild Bergamot in one area, a couple other patches, a light amount in West Fork of various types. No real show stoppers and not enough on the loop to go with a moderate rating. |
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Buckhead Ridge Tank |
76-100% full |
76-100% full |
| | added this to the database as it is not on topo
if it's full in June it must be worthy | | _____________________
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