Summary 
| Difficulty | 2-3 Beginner-intermediate to intermediate |
| Length | Up to 16.0 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
6850 |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
Up to +750, -750 round trip |
| Navigation | Road and map |
| Time | Most of a day to full day |
| Season | Mid-December through March |
| Snowmobiles Use | Low |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Twin Lakes, Buckeye Ridge |
| Start | At the turnoff to Doc and Al's Resort, 7.6 miles southwest of Bridgeport on the road to Twin Lakes. The turnoff is on the north (right) side of the road. |
Description
The tour up Buckeye Canyon offers many miles of relatively easy skiing.
The flat canyon floor climbs very gradually in contrast to the steep canyon walls. When the snow is well-consolidated, this tour offers an excellent opportunity to kick, glide, and ski fast for many miles. Best of all, you can top off the day with a well-deserved, soothing soak in Buckeye Hot Spring.
And if 16.0 miles is not enough for you, you can lengthen the tour by skiing in Big Meadow before turning around.
Be aware that all the slopes surrounding Buckeye Canyon, including the wooded slopes to the south of the creek, are subject to avalanching.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.2
Elevation change: +0
From the trailhead (1), ski west on the snow-covered road for 0.2 mile until you reach the bridge across Robinson Creek (2). The road may be well-used in this first section where several cabins are located.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.2 - 2.8
Elevation change: +150
Continue to ski north on the road for 2.6 miles until you reach the bridge across Buckeye Creek (3). Stay on the main road; do not turn onto any side roads.
In this 2.6 mile stretch you will have time to enjoy the beautiful view of Bridgeport Valley and Bridgeport Reservoir to the east.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 2.8 - 3.0
Elevation change: +50
There is a fork in the middle of this section. You may see 1, 2 or even 3 roads continuing north. If you have a choice, take the west-most (left) fork. All intersect the east-west road that is the destination of this section.
Ski north on the west-most (left) fork for 0.2 mile until you reach a road junction (4) where the intersected road travels east-west. A turn to the east (right) leads to Buckeye Hot Spring. The tour up Buckeye Canyon continues to the west (left).
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 3.0 - 3.4
Elevation change: +100
Turn west (left) and ski on the road for 0.4 mile until you cross back to the south side of Buckeye Creek (5) on a bridge
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 3.4 - 4.2
Elevation change: +100
Continue west on the road for 0.8 mile, passing through Buckeye Campground, until you reach a gate and a sign (6) indicating the start of Buckeye Trail. In the vicinity of the gate, the road is a public access route through private property, and you should respect the owner's property rights.
About 100 yards after crossing Buckeye Creek you will pass an abandoned road on your left and a fenced-in pond on your right.
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 4.2 - 7.5
Elevation change: +300
Pass through the gate and continue skiing west up the canyon for 3.3 miles until the creek hems you in against the steep slope to the south (7). As you ski up the canyon, you follow a road that soon disappears.
When you feel hemmed in against the steep slope, a small, finger-like ridge surrounded by thick woods juts out toward the creek just ahead of you from the steep slope. A little perseverance will get you past this apparent obstacle.
As you approach the finger-like ridge, continue to ski along the south edge of the creek picking your way through the trees. Just before the point where the ridge meets the creek, turn away from the creek and climb over the finger-like ridge.
In the wooded section you will pass by an amazingly large and beautiful juniper tree.
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 7.5 - 8.0
Elevation change: +50
Continue southwest for 0.5 mile until you reach Big Meadow.
Return to trailhead
Miles: 8.0 - 16.0
Elevation change: -750
Retrace the route for 8.0 miles back to the trailhead (1).
