New member interested in hiking the Skyline Trail

[herbkimpel]

I recently learned about the Skyline Trail at Dayhiker.com and then discovered this message board a few days ago. Everyone here seems to be head-over-heels for the Skyline. I read everybody's post/threads/messages, whatever the proper term is, and didn't find a negative word about anything. I've hiked to the river & back at the Grand Canyon a few times, including last month, and am interested in hiking the Skyline Trail. Here's my question: How hard is it to find the trail? Some comments make it sound a bit dicey. I found this site of guide photos:
http://www.dsusd.k12.ca.us/hikes/Skylin ... Turns.html - is that helpful at all? Bonus question: are my YakTrax sufficient for traction in the upper section of the Skyline, or should I get Kahtoola MicroSpikes? Thanks!

[Florian]

That DSUSD link is odd. My wife is a teacher for the district. I wonder who got permission to post pics. They don't seem very useful to me.

The trail is pretty easy to follow without snow. I don't do the trail when there is snow/ice at the top so i'll leave those comments to others.

-Florian

[magikwalt]

The photos of the down tree would have been very helpful 4 years ago when the tree first fell. It is now pretty evident where the trail goes now that the "detour around" the fallen tree has become the permanent trail. The other photos are an attempt to help understand the movement above the traverse but the years have made them less than helpful.

I also saw the Boo Hoff to Sugarloaf Cafe hike out lined on the school site. That guide was actually very well done.

[Hikin_Jim]

Bonus question: are my YakTrax sufficient for traction in the upper section of the Skyline, or should I get Kahtoola MicroSpikes? Thanks!

It depends on when you go. Right now, you may not even need the YakTrax, but that can change within 24hrs. Sometimes, you will need an ice axe and crampons. There has been one ice related death (that I know about) and several very close calls. Keep a close eye on the conditions.

[tinaballina]

Hello and welcome, those pics are a bit creepy and would have me turned around in circles but that is just me.
the trail is pretty well defined and chopped up but the snow will change all that.
went up last sunday and there was a lot of snow, going up saturday BUT bringing micro spikes because i would assume the traverse has some ice after sitting for a week.
i wouldn't suggest trying skyline for the first time with snow/ice-on the trail- it is strenuous enough. The best time to do it would be in the spring and/or beginning of the fall.
if you decide to go up be cautious especially if there is ice on the traverse...not sure about yaks but micro spikes should be good until it really gets icy and you need crampons and ice axe.

[herbkimpel]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll wait until I read a trip report that says the ice is gone.
-Herb K.

[bluerail]

I believe the info was put up by an avid hiker that works in the D.O. He also was leading a hike that a young man passed away on earlier this year.

As for the ice Herb, a few of us are going up saturday at 5:30 or 6 .. your more than welcome to join in, I don't think the trail is going to be any better for awhile. Only worse.

As for a running group with a pie problem...I'd like to find that one also.