Summary:
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This is another hike on the old historic Skyline Trail #564. Remember, the Skyline Trail was the
first trail to extend the entire length of Oregon, north-south, but was mostly abandoned when
the Pacific Crest Trail was built and became so popular.
Much of the original Skyline Trail has been reclaimed by natural forces, but there are several
portions still available for our hiking pleasure. Thanks mostly to a volunteer group of dedicated
individuals, who ferret out these old trails and make them hikeable. These wonderful folks have
a website dedicated to this goal, and you can click this link
to view the great work they are doing, and you can become a part of this movement if you so desire.
This trail to the Burnt Granite viewpoint is actually the beginning of the Skyline Trail that takes
hikers along what is known as Rhododendron Ridge. There are two other hikes on this CD that feature
this same trail a bit further south: Mount Lowe and
Hawk Mountain
Before trimming
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Trimmer
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After trimming
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If you could help out just a little bit, by takings some trimmers with you when you hike the Old Skyline
Trail, and cut just a bit of brush back... if each of us did just a little, before we knew it, the trail
would be a fine walking path again.
Anyway, there is no sign or trail marker at the beginning of this hike and I saw none on the
entire hike. So, my friend and I tied a pink ribbon around a fir tree near the road, hoping
you will see it and know that this is the beginning of a wonderful little hike. Of course, it
is likely someone will remove the ribbon, but if you follow these directions, you will still
find the beginning of the trail.
I measured the distance from the bridge off Forest Road 46, and it is exactly 4.0 miles to the
spot where this trail begins. The trail actually follows and old cat road for a bit, so you can
clearly see the wide path and hopefully the pink ribbon, so you should know without a doubt that you have arrived!
This hike is called the Burnt Granite viewpoint hike because the trail takes you up onto the southeastern
flank of a mountain called Burnt Granite. This hike is not taking you up any mountain, it just takes
you to this fantastic viewpoint only two miles from the road. And as you walk along this historic
trail, just imagine what it was like a hundred years ago. Again, our friends at Trail Advocate have
the history of this trail on this LINK.
Because the trail is so brushy as of this writing, I cannot recommend it for children. However,
if all of us help just a little and trim back just a little each time we come here, some day, and
some day soon, this could be a wonderful little family hike.
At about a mile and a half there is a junction, which is identifiable by a pink ribbon and
a yellow-black striped ribbon. I assume this trail goes to Tarzan springs, but I did not
go there. Less than a half mile past this junction you will break out into the first of
three open areas. It is the third open area that has the fantastic view. Click on the
panoview for this hike, and you can see what I mean.
This is a great place to have lunch, and take some beautiful photos. Again, unless you hike to that
spring, there are no water sources on this hike, so take plenty to drink. I hope you venture
out on this little known hike, and with a little help, we can make it a better known hike. Enjoy!
By the way, cougars have been spotted in this area. But, keep in mind all of this forest is home
to the cougar. They roam a large area, so always hike with another person, or be prepared to
defend yourself. Click Here to learn more about cougars.
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