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Getting There
Take NW Skyline Blvd north from NW Germantown Road. The Skyline Blvd Trailhead is 1.6 mi and a parking are available on right (east) side of the road. (There might be additional spots on the other side of the road).I parked, put my window shade up, geared up and set out.
The Hike
Length: 7.39 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,768 feet
Type: Loop (except section to trailhead)
I was confused about where this trail leads. I really thought it was short jaunt from the TH to lookout at the end of BPA. I was pleasantly surprised it's more interesting and challenging.
Firelane 15 has some elevation changes right away and at the bottom of a small hill is the junction to take Wildwood or Firelane 12 (1 mile in). On this trip, I went right (south) on the Wildwood Trail. It intersects the BPA Road (at 1.8 miles).
Now I was on a route I've recorded & documented before: Wildwood to Newton Road.
It's 1.0 mile from BPA to Newton Rd on the Wildwood Trail.
It's 1.2 miles from there to the lowest point on the trip at Hwy 30 (BPA/Newton Road junction).
It's 0.9 miles from bottom to top. I've been improving my times getting up this section, from 35min to 25min.
Instead of returning to the Wildwood Trail, I took Firelane 12 back towards the TH. I didn't realize it at the time but you drop down into a beautiful ravine with the junction for Firelane 15 at the bottom.
The uphill side is a leg burner but only about 300 ft climb over 0.4 miles.
On the way back to the TH on Firelane 15, I took the detour to Kielhorn Meadow trail but turned around about 1/2 way. Another time.
It was a nice change of scenery from starting this loop at the Newton Rd Trailhead. Maybe I'll try the Newberry TH as the starting point.
AllTrails links
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-fe27f92--135
