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| Buena Vista Hill Peak 4126, AZ | |
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| | Buena Vista Hill Peak 4126, AZ | | | |
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Buena Vista Hill Peak 4126, AZ
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| Hiking | 6.31 Miles |
1,704 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.31 Miles | 5 Hrs 13 Mns | | 1.70 mph |
| 1,704 ft AEG | 1 Hour 30 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | It was a great day on the forecast with a high of 77! This doesn't come around too often in Tucson in April so I decided to take advantage of the nice weather.
In general, I followed Michael A's route up to Buena Vista Hill and then kept going up the ridgeline to get to Peak 4126. The formal trail only gets you about 1/4 mile in. After that, there were less defined trails that followed the ridgeline for about 80% of the way up my route. There were a few area where I didn't see much of the trail, but the ridgeline was pretty clear overall. There was no time where I was worried about a snake encounter because I could see clearly where I was stepping the entire way.
Near the end, Michael A's route went up the West ridgeline to the summit, but I decided to take the South ridgeline which had a few bad spots. There were sections of dense teddy bear cholla which I was able to go around but it was like a maze challenge. If you like this sort of challenge you can make it, but you need to look for openings. My route will get you there.
About 200 feet West of the summit, I found an old mining hole that was surrounded by a wire fence. The hole looked at least 20 or 30 feet deep. I could not see the bottom.
I stopped at the summit to take a late lunch. There were nice views of Tucson to the East, Wasson peak to the North, Trail's End peak and Non-Persondatory peak to the South.
From the summit, I continued NE to a saddle, then found animal trails heading NW which I took. Eventually I got down to an old unmarked road which I have walked before, that the parallels King Canyon trail. On the way down, I stopped to check out a small stone structure that I don't remember seeing ever before.
When I got back to the King Canyon trailhead, I had to walk the shoulder of Kinney road to get back to where I parked. It would have been nice if there was a sidewalk, or trail near the road, but there wasn't. There appears to be some private property between King Canyon and the K23 pullout on Kinney Road, which is probably the reason there's isn't a trail connection those 2 areas.
Stats:
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Distance (round trip): 6.31 miles
AEG: 1,704 feet
Strava moving time: 3 hrs 30 mins
Strava elapsed time: 5 hrs 13 mins
Driving Directions:
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Set your GPS or Google Maps to: Cougar Trail Trailhead, Tucson, AZ 85743
The old fashioned way...
Take I-10 to Speedway exit in Tucson.
take exit 257 toward Speedway Boulevard
Continue WEST onto W Speedway Blvd
Pass by AutoZone Auto Parts (on the left in 1.1 mi), continue for 4.7 mi
Slight left onto W Gates Pass Rd, continue for 4.8 mi
Turn right onto Kinney Rd, continue for 2.2 mi
Destination will be a pullout on the right
Look for K23 marker at this pullout
Cougar Trail Trailhead
Cougar Trail, Tucson, AZ 85743 |
| _____________________
Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us
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