Alta Vista Loop, Golden Gate & Skyline Trail Loop — Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025

We squeezed a hike on Thursday in before the storms forecast for the weekend. We went through the park entrance at about 9. It wasn't staffed. No one checking passes. There was plenty of parking at Paradise at 9:30. We did the Skyline Loop counter clockwise. The fall color is mostly done because most of the huckleberry plants have dropped their leaves. We found snow at 6000 feet. Mostly slush a few inches deep. Some icy spots. People in tennis shoes were struggling at some spots. Sturdy hiking boots with rugged soles really helped. I put on my microspikes and gators. They were handy! Rain and snow are in the forecast. Especially Sunday, 3 to 7 inches! Paradise is transitioning to winter.