The Buckeye Trail into the Hoover Wilderness generally follows Buckeye Creek up the canyon, although the creek itself is not usually visible from the trail, which begins as an easy stroll along a sandy road still in use by private landowners. (See Wilderness Act of 1964). Climbing very gradually through Jeffrey pine forest, the hiker can appreciate the intense blue of the sky above the ridge tops. The sign marking the Eagle Creek Trail is not far from the trailhead. There is a fence to keep cattle in - please close the gate behind you. Eventually the road narrows into a trail that skirts a little meadow full of cattle, and one begins to see alder trees mixed in with the pine trees and an occasional fir tree. In early September there is evidence of many previously bloomed wildflowers (lots of wild iris in the meadows) but now only an occasional Indian paintbrush, scarlet gilia, yarrow, lupine and Sierra gentian higher up, and a form of erigeron - "showy daisies." Earlier in the season the wildflowers are outstanding, with plenty of water in the area. Later in the fall will also be spectacular - as the trail climbs, there are increasing numbers of aspen whose leaves will turn to gold in autumn. Soon there is a fork in the trail; take the right fork into the Big Meadow area, a series of clearings and meadows with a view of the granite peaks further up the canyon. The sign marking "Buckeye Trail" indicates the boundary of the proposed addition to the Hoover Wilderness Area. The trail crosses three very small creeks as it climbs a bit then drops down to a wash. Traverse this wash to the trail opposite; otherwise it is easy to lose the trail here. A fence line here is apparently used to prevent the cattle from going back up the canyon - it becomes obvious that they were at one time above this fence. Cross Buckeye Creek below the fence (there are signs to guide you); there is no dry way across. In September it's shallow for wading, but could be a difficult crossing earlier when the creek is higher. There is also an electric fence in this area, marking an area of privately-owned land - don't touch! The trail now crosses the last of the meadows - this can be confusing here due to the many cattle trails; looking ahead helps to pick out the trail. There are more groves of big healthy aspen and views of the narrowing canyon ahead and granite peaks. Climbing along the west side of the canyon the trail reveals the repair work of two major washouts from the previous spring, where huge amounts of rock, dirt, and water thundered down the mountainside. Through a patch of elderberries, the Roughs and the actual Wilderness Boundary lie ahead.

Buckeye Trailhead is located just west of Buckeye Campground at an elevation of 7000'. Follow Hwy 395 into Bridgeport to the sign for Twin Lakes; follow Twin Lakes Road to Doc & Al's Resort. Turn right at the Resort, follow the signs for Buckeye Campground till you get to the campground, then follow the road past the campground to the Trailhead, park and hike!

The Buckeye Creek Trail generally follows Buckeye Creek up the canyon, glimbing gradually through jeffrey pine forest offering a few views.