Skyline on Nov 6

[Chris]

I'm planning on my first Skyline this Friday, Nov 6. I have been researching this trail for about 8 months now, had planned to do it in the spring but with snow still on the mountain decided to wait until fall. I feel very prepared but since it's my first time on this trail and I'm doing it solo I want to make sure I have all the info I need to complete it safely. I have read virtually everything on these posts and others and my biggest concern is losing the trail as I reach the higher, steeper area. I'm planning on leaving at 5am and assume the heat won't be a factor especially at higher elevations. I'm bringing plenty of water, headlight, warm gear, food emergency supplies, maps, etc. If any of you have any last minute advise or know of the current conditions on the mountain it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the info you've provided me on this site these past several months. I'm looking forward to this amazing hike.

[Florian]

Hi Chris,

I'll be going up about 5am too. I don't think you'll have any problem following the trail. There's going to be a lot of people hiking on Saturday. Frankly, i'm a bit apprehensive about hiking with so many people but i'm going to brave it.

-Florian

[Florian]

Just noticed i misread your post. You're going on Friday. Won't be any many people on the trail Friday but with so many people training lately i'd think the route will be pretty obvious. Sorry for the mistake.

-Florian

[Norris]

Hi Chris, I recommend a good GPS with a track downloaded into it. If you have a Garmin, I can provide a track. In my experience, it is the lower part of the trail that can be tricky from a route-finding perspective, not the upper part.

[Chris]

Thanks for the help. I'm going to buy a Garmin tomorrow so thanks for your offer to provide a track.

[Chris]

Thanks for the help. I'm going to buy a Garmin tomorrow so thanks for your offer to provide a track.

[zippetydude]

Hi Chris. If all goes according to plan, I'll be going up Friday just after 3:00 pm. If you get lost, you can always sit tight, then after dark look for a flashlight coming up the mountain. It would be obvious, and you could hike on up with me.

To clear up the confusion on which part of the trail is hard to follow:

The lower section has many many trails, almost all of which lead on up to the main trail. A good rule of thumb is to always keep to the right when you have a choice. This is what I do, and it takes me up by the shortest route as far as I can tell. Worst case is you end up coming back down accidentally and have to turn around and go right back up. A nuisance, but not dangerous. You can't possibly get lost on the lower section, as you can always see your way back down.

The upper section after Flatrock is mostly obvious, but there are a couple of spots that are mostly a jumble of rocks and the trail isn't real clear. If you get up there and don't see the path, it's actually pretty easy to scout around a bit until you find the trail.

Hope you have fun. I'd suggest you consider going Saturday instead if your schedule will allow it. There'll be tons of people, and they're all good spirited and fun to hike with, so you wouldn't have to worry about getting lost.

z

[magikwalt]

About 2 minutes past the picnic tables the trail has a large rockpile in the middle of it and splits left and right. Follow Zips rule and go right then 10 seconds later go up and to your left. The next area is above flat rock around 6700ft the trail come to a small flat landing with a tree stump in the middle. The trail goes above the stump and immediately to the left passing over a large fallen tree. Once you start on the traverse stay on it as long as you can. Too many people start heading up the wrong gully.

[Nick-SJM]

I'd like to get a good GPS track of the skyline route starting at the museum (to Grubbs notch) to put into my Garmin. Can someone let me know how to get one? I'll need instructions on how to get it loaded onto my system. Assume I know NOTHING in any instructions provided.

Thanks,

Nick

[Norris]

I'd like to get a good GPS track of the skyline route starting at the museum (to Grubbs notch) to put into my Garmin. Can someone let me know how to get one? I'll need instructions on how to get it loaded onto my system. Assume I know NOTHING in any instructions provided.

Thanks,

Nick

I can provide a .gdb file (opens in Garmin Mapsource application)