Skyline Report for 3/31/2016

[DancesWithTheMountains]

Hi Everyone,
Had a great skyline on Thursday. I forgot how nice and quiet it is during the week. Felt like the old days on Skyline.
Went up with Dave and his friend Ruben. There was still some snow and little ice on the first Traverse, but it wasn't anything to get
nervous about. Had micros on but really didn't need them. I don't hike with poles so David gave me one of his and that seem to do the trick
in the more slippery places like the second traverse. Never had to put a long sleeve shirt on till I was on the first Traverse. The last section had
some spots of snow but once again, if you had even one pole, you were good to go.
I'm still working on putting as many rocks across short cuts to help hikers stay on the trail. Some of you still kick them out but I'll keep putting
them back till everyone gets the message. The beginning of Skyline is looking great with the new rock walls and signage. Looks like everyone is making an
effort to stay on the trail. This week there wasn't anymore of that stupid white ground up chalk on the trail. I think I got most of it off the past couple
of weekends.
Stay safe everyone and if you have the time, please help me with placing rocks across those areas where the short cuts have done the most damage like the
upper section of the red hill, just below 5,000 ft. That ravine is collapsing and I still see hikers going up and it just adds to the erosion of the trail.
Happy Blessed Trails.
Doreen

[Ed]

...where the short cuts have done the most damage like the
upper section of the red hill, just below 5,000 ft. That ravine is collapsing and I still see hikers going up and it just adds to the erosion of the trail.

Thanks for the snow report. I've learned from experience to watch for your rocks and make the turn in the ravine. But if you are not looking for them, it is very easy to simply step over them and continue straight up. I doubt many first-timers make the turn. Even when they see somebody above them making the turn and following the switchbacks, they think straight up is better, until they are at the end of the 'short-cut'.

[DancesWithTheMountains]

Hi Ed
Yes. You are correct about that one little section of Red Hill. Most hikers don't really mean to go up that section but when your hiking and in back of someone or
see someone ahead of you, its normal to just keep going straight up. I'm thinking a sign right at that ravine might be a good idea. Its only a matter of time that whole
section collapses. Now, there are others who are going off to the left of the short cut and making it even worse. The actual trail that intersects that short cut is almost
gone. We all just need to make an effort to not go up that ravine. I thank all of you who really try and not make this section any worse than it already is
Doreen

[Ellen]

Howdy Doreen, Skyline Queen

Congrats on another Skyline

I love the improvements to the bottom of Skyline to the picnic tables and absolutely agree that the shortcuts have really eroded sections of Red Hill

Went up Friday with Marilyn and Cameron -- we were treated to a gorgeous sunrise.









Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[DancesWithTheMountains]

Hi Ellen
These photos are beautiful!!! Its the gift Mother Nature gives us when we get up on that trail so early in the morning. Its worth the hike up to see such
beauty. I'm so glad you are doing well and I can now feel your spirit on the trail . I didn't know about your operation but I knew somehow that you were not
on skyline. You and I are such a part of that mountain.
As for Red Hill, I had a talk with our friend Dave this morning and he's going to see about getting the search and rescue involved in putting up a small sign
at the beginning of that ravine to help hikers not go up that section. You love that trail as much as I do and I know that you too see the erosion. We can all
do something about it and most hikers will respect the signs and do the right thing. She is, after all, a gift to all of us who have come to know her and seek
her beauty and profound silence that makes us just slow down, take a deep breath and just "BE".
Happy Trail my dear sister
Doreen

[cynthia23]

Congrats on another one Doreen! And what gorgeous photos Ellen!

However, you two are perhaps the most stunning natural phenomena of the Skyline Trail!

[DancesWithTheMountains]

Hi Cynthia
Thanks for that lovely comment. I m in
good company with Ellen and with you.
Don't forget that you too have been a big part of the
history of skyline.
Doreen