Gray/Skylight

[beth]

Looking to do a day hike to gray/skylight. Have done some reading up and there are several approaches. Any recommendations for one route vs another? I have read that the trail up past lake arnold is impassable...true?? Any suggestions will be helpful!

[TCD]

Recent reports I have read suggest that the Lake Arnold trail is a mess, but not impassable. Travelers have gotten through with some work. But it has been in bad shape for quite a few years.

Skylight and Gray are tough from the North, because they're "behind" Marcy. I guess it depends on where you want to start, and what kind of hiking suits you. If you don't mind starting in a remote place with not many services, you can go from Upper Works. If you don't mind a rough up and down trail, but you like great scenery, you can go through Avalanche Pass. If you don't mind a swamp, you can go through Lake Arnold. And, if you don't mind a little extra vertical, you can go over Marcy (twice).

TCD

[rdl]

Lake Arnold trail is very wet, but can be successfully navigated with care.

[jrbren]

I did skylight & gray last year from the loj. The Lake Arnold trail is flooded by beavers but is certainly passable. Just expect to get your feet wet. I packed an extra pair of socks and changed socks when I got to the Marcy Trail to 4 corners. You could even bring a pair of old sneakers or kayak shoes(if you have them) for that section. I hesitate to say sandals since you may lose them in the mud if they were not fastened on well. I know mine would work well. But in my case I was OK to get my boots wet if I could change socks, so I just wore my boots. Once you are at the trail to gray or skylight, you have to climb a few hundred feet anyway to get back to the loj. I think ~500' to restrace your steps back, or ~800' feet to go over Marcy. I opted to go over Marcy, much better reward for a little extra effort (plus you do not have to go through the swamp twice. My 2 cents.

[Gray Ghost]

There was only one relatively small section of the LA trail that was flooded last August. It was bad, but passable. We did Skylight, then bushwhacked from Gray to Marcy, though this is now being discouraged. I would definitely suggest the return trip over Marcy from four corners though. Just hit Gray first.

[beth]

Thanks for the input. We are hoping to go around the second week in august. Its sounding that the loj isn't out of the picture and with a reward of skylight and then marcy it just maybe worth it. I am not a fan of the upper works but have hiked out of that area to do cliff and redfield last year.

[Gray Ghost]

I would definitely go from the Loj. This trio hike might be my favorite, even though it was my second time up Marcy. I appreciated it more. Have fun.