Skyline Trail

Windsurfer Beach Trailhead

Welcome to the trail!

As soon as the leaves near Ogden Canyon where the road crosses the dam at the edge of Pineview start turning red and orange and gold my kids beg to hike Skyline Trail. It’s one of our favorite spots to collect leaves and acorns in the fall. This year we hit it a bit early (just so I could write it up in time for you to check out when the leaves should be peaking in the beginning of October), and even though it was hot and dusty when we hiked, we were still able to collect a pile of autumn-colored leaves to bring home and enjoy. Don’t miss this one for fall fun with minimal effort.

How to get there

Make your way to the parking area at Windsurfer Beach, just 3 miles south of Valley Market in Eden on Highway 158. It’s a large lot that usually has plenty of parking (except during high traffic weekends and holidays) and vault toilets available.

Trail at a glance

Distance: 0.7 miles one way (1.4 miles round trip out and back) (the trail actually continues on over 14 miles to the North Ogden Divide, so you can make this as long or as short as you and your tykes can handle!)

Elevation gain: ~160 feet

Destination: no real destination on this one - the journey is the reward ;)

Tyke perks: colorful leaves, acorns, Pineview views

Notable flora: maple, oak, sagebrush

Fascinating fauna: deer (we saw prints in the dust), grasshoppers, birds

Watch out for: mountain bikers, dirt bikers

While you’re hiking

You’ll park in big paved lot, but the trail actually begins across the highway, so make your way to the south end of the parking area where the trailhead sign is, then follow the trail up the hill to the edge of the road. It’s a highway and can be super busy, especially on weekends and holidays, so hold hands and carefully cross to the dirt trail you can see heading south on the other side.

Follow the trail through a small grove of maples (this little section can actually have some of the best leaves on the trail if you time it right!) till you get to another paved drive. It’s a private road, so traffic is rare, but again, look both ways and hold hands while crossing as you make your way south to the “real” beginning of the trail (marked by a small sign) about a tenth of a mile from the parking lot.

After you walk up this initial steep section (it’s the worst part and it’s over quick, but can be quite slick if it’s wet, so be careful!) you’ll gradually climb through a sagebrush speckled hillside with views of Windsurfer Beach below to your left. Soon you’ll be in the trees which provide a little more shade (and ample leaves and acorns to pick).

The rest is simple. Keep hiking as long as you like and turn around when you’re ready. The reservoir will pop in and out of view as you hike, and eventually you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the dam and the edge of Ogden Canyon at roughly mile 0.7. That’s where we typically call it good and head back to the car. It’s all downhill from there!

Happy hikers

As I mentioned before, this is one of our top faves for fall hiking, mostly because it’s easy to get to for a quick post-dinner walk before it gets too dark and (usually) packs a lot of autumn punch. It’s a special favorite trail of my (now 7-year-old) Callie. I hope you’ll indulge me in a little walk down memory lane (2020, 2017 and 2016) on Skyline with my girl.

Happy trails!