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| Hiking | 11.53 Miles |
1,277 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.53 Miles | 3 Hrs 54 Mns | | 2.96 mph |
| 1,277 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | The past year or so my regular hike day is Thursday. But Arizona temperatures were scheduled to peak on Thursday — including 90℉ in Show Low. However, temps were supposed to drop 5° on Friday, and another 10° Saturday through Tuesday. Then again, the north country is a zoo on the weekend, as Phoenicians jam I-17 and AZ-260 heading to points north and east. The more I can avoid other people, the better. So, I waited until Monday. 🌡
After the three hour drive from Phoenix, my wife & I arrived at the trailhead at 9:00 a.m. For a small trailhead, in a small town, it was packed: I counted at least 10 vehicles. (There may have been more, but I ran out of fingers.)  
Despite the crowded trailhead, I only encountered two hikers about halfway, two hikers near the end, three ATVs moving too fast for conditions, and no mountain bikes, dog walkers, or horse riders. Only three vehicles were left at the trailhead when I returned at 2:00 p.m.
There’s good maps posted at the trailhead, and apparently some are occasionally available to take along. However, I recommend carrying a GPS: The official loop is criss-crossed by uncountable other jeep trails and mountain bike paths. I hiked 1½ extra miles due to wrong turns, and the couple I met near the end had just gotten un-lost. 
The 1,200 ft. of AEG on Buena Vista Trail #637 mostly occurs in a half dozen 150-200 ft. climbs. Nothing too strenuous. The best views on the loop, occur from a clear “summit” 4.0 miles into the hike. The hospital in Pinetop-Lakeside was obvious, as were the antennas on Porter Mountain and the quarry at First Knoll.
I finished the Buena Vista Trail #637 loop in 3h 54m, which — math  — is 2.96 mph, a speed akin to my neighborhood walks during the week. The hike is is not spectacular by any means, but I enjoyed the pleasant stroll. 
On the way home, I diverted off AZ-260 in Pinedale so I could drive through the covered bridge — apparently the only one in Arizona — just for my loving & supportive wife, who had always wanted to drive through a covered bridge. Happy birthday, Schnook! 
Hike Video: https://vimeo.com/468117220 |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
I was surprised by the wide variety of flowers along Buena Vista Trail #637: Lupine and western wallflower were among the more numerous, while a saw only one or two penstemon, paintbrush and prickly pear flowers. |
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| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall"){kind=small}
I did notice that either the forest service has not placed signage, or the signage was vandalized/stolen, in many of the access routes. 
There was one guy riding his ATV actually obeying the rules though (looked like he was giving rides to grandkids?) so perhaps there is still some small hope for humanity where at least a few adults are still able to act responsibly and be a good role model for kids. 
— is 2.96 mph, a speed akin to my neighborhood walks during the week. The hike is is not spectacular by any means, but I enjoyed the pleasant stroll. 
