Hike GPS data for Google Earth viewing
Per Garmin, 1.71 miles/113 vertical feet.
Parking: Only one other car at Sky Country lot at 4:20 PM on a cloudy Tuesday. Lot has port-a-potty.
Trails: They are in great shape, despite the rain. I wore flat-soled, plasticy shoes that yearn to slide and had solid traction everywhere but by the field on Old Man's and Nike Horse. Near the field, the trails have easily-avoided standing water and a few lurking patches of slippery mud. These trails are nothing like five years ago (before WTA water diversion work); then they were like trudging through a swamp.
Wildlife: Quiet these days.
Caution: Blind corners and drivers disregarding traffic directionality create Sky Country parking lot hazards. Every stretch of the figure-8-shaped lot is a one-way (see the attached picture). Directionality is indicated with traffic signs and pavement arrows. However, people frequently drive against the one-ways. We’ve all disregarded parking lot traffic signs, but the lot has blind corners that are only safe when directionality is followed. I have seen people charging excitedly into the parking lot and around blind corners with the confidence they have the right-of-way to the whole lane. I have also seen people in a hurry to get home drive furiously around the same blind corners the wrong way. At some point, people will collide. So, do not be one of those people; recognize that, once you are in the parking lot, Mad Max rules apply and drive cautiously around every corner assuming someone could be hurtling against the one-way toward you.
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