Skelton Creek Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is a remote area of the forest. There are no restrooms or services. Fellow hikers will be few, if any. Cell service is spotty at best. While the creek is present, it's only accessible at a few points along the trail. Be attentive to the presence of rattlesnakes near the water. If you opt to travel in this area, be fully and independently reliant. Always carry a water filter and full containers of water. As a low elevation hike, especially the lower part of the trail, hot temperatures are common in the late spring, summer, early fall, resulting in an extremely dangerous situation. Know the signs of heat exhaustion. Don't push yourself or others to keep hiking; take steps to cool down immediately. Be aware. Be prepared.

This is a moderate "out-and-back" hike along Skelton Creek, with views and chances to explore historic mines. Most folks choose to hike to the Blue Glory Mine and back, a roundtrip distance of 4.5-miles from Best Road. The more adventurous could hike down to Devil's Gulch, a roundtrip distance of 6.4-miles from Best Road.

From Best Road hike down Forest Service Road 3S26 for a little under half a mile after which the road will transition into a wide trail suitable for equestrians. A quaint bubbling brook nestles up to the trail while towering pines, oaks and deciduous broad-leafed trees cast some shade, but not as much since the 2018 Ferguson Fire and the 2022 Oak Fire. This area in the spring, winter and fall can be quite charming.

Due to high temperatures and a relatively steep hike or ride out of the canyon, the trail is generally avoided in the summertime. The character of the trail changes when it meets up with Skelton Creek, becoming more exposed to the sun and being perched much higher than the creek. The high vantage point of the trail offers amazing views of cascades, plunge pools, and views of the Devil's Gulch gorge in the distance.

The trail eventually forks, where you can continue down the trail to Devil's Gulch (go left), or go straight on the wide trail that will take you to Skelton Creek and abandoned historic Blue Glory Mine in about 0.25 miles from the fork. The trail to Devil's Gulch becomes a narrow footpath and presents more opportunities to view another mine, more cascades and streamlets pouring down from the steep north faces of the canyon (after heavy rains).

HISTORY---- For thousands of years, indigenous peoples have lived here. In 1890, this area was included in Yosemite National Park, and was patrolled by its first caretakers, the US Army. In 1905, however, the area was excluded from the park to allow mining, logging and cattle grazing. The Blue Glory Mine appears to have been developed in the mid 1920's, while placer mining along Devil's Gulch occurred much earlier.

The trail traverses oak-pine woodland and chaparral plant communities. Raptors, including hawks and eagles, as well as great blue herons may be seen. Deer, bears, mountain lions and coyotes also live in the area. Be watchful for rattlesnakes too.