Skull Hill

Skull Hill has a number of horseback-hiker trails that have been established for a number of years in the aftermath of the 2003 Louis Creek fire. Much of the area was burned and fallen trees lie on the slopes, but the double tracks have been mostly cleared and some single track trails have been added. We started at Fishtrap Camp on Westsyde Road and followed a series of trails to the top. The trails go all over the place, but we mostly followed the Mule Trail and the Rim Rock Trail and back.

We did this hike in the fall, but there were a few vehicles in the area, probably hunting in the hills, so take the appropriate precautions. If horseback riders are camping in the area, use caution if passing riders on the trails.

We liked the Rim Rock Trail which took us onto a ridge along the top of the hill. The best views were down into the basin between Skull Hill and Mount Goudreau Hill there are series of lakes, ponds, and open meadows.

There were a few stands of trees not burned by the fire and there were some new lodgepole pines in young growth on top, but many areas had black standing trees only.

Because the trails wind up the hill, hikers will be tempted to take a shortcut, but the slash and windfall is daunting so it is better to bring a map and follow the trails. We hiked about 9.3 km and it took just over 3 hours.