Skintoe Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · Swimming · Views

Starting at the small parking area just before the sign for Camp Kiesel, this trail crosses the reservoir over a small dam and spillway. The trail then turns to the right and follows a line that very closely parallels the edge of the reservoir, although it is probably about 15-20 feet above the water level. In some places the trail can feel narrow and looks like you could jump all the way into the reservoir because the ground slopes off into the reservoir so steeply, but it is in general safe and a great way to get some great views of the reservoir.

About 2/3 of the way in, an old jeep trail splits off of this trail and goes up the hillside toward Baldy Ridge. As you pass this fork, the trail starts to get a little bit more rocky, until it eventually reaches a large pile of fallen rock, which is where the trail effectively ends. Several game trails and faint, poorly maintained trails branch off of this trail and head in various directions (including in the direction that NeoTreks shows), but these trails are hard to follow and very hard to hike on, so this trail effectively ends as shown on the accompanying map, above a very popular cliff jumping spot.