Hi everyone!

I'm planning a trip with my dad with my dad on the June 18th weekend; he's a total beginner, and I don't have too many notches under my belt. I've been looking for info on snow levels on the Skyline 2, and can't get any firm info, so I'm wondering if maybe the Stein Valley would be a better trip for this time of year. I'd prefer to do the Skyline, but I don't want to get into a tight spot.
Advice?

If your dad is a novice and you don't want to see any snow on the trail, you might want to try the Stein Valley. I know that at the least, you would see patches, but the chances are that the snow levels will still be on the trails. Overall, the Skyline II has many more interesting points, but the Stein's definitely one of the best for a beginner.

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"The Arctic views its distant vast and the shifting breeze that blows my horizon,
Where stormclouds mass along the skies, Dark and brooding across the blistered broken land"

I'm with backpacker on this one. I'd expect plenty of snow on the skyline and some of it could be pretty steep. I did an overnight snowshoe trip on the skyline a few weeks back and there was easily 6 feet of snow on level ground at 6,000 feet. Go for the Stein, easy travel, lots of good camping. It'll be tick season in the Stein, so check yourselves.

Skyline will be there for another time

Go for the Stein, its very pretty, and easy.

Hope the weather is fantastic for you!

Have a blast

I was on Skyline 1 last weekend and there was a lot of snow as you got to the ridge (and blowdown).

If you'r not into the white stuff then I'd head to the Stein that weekend.

It's going to be at least early-mid July before the snow is gone for the most part.

Have fun.

Just came back from the Stein and it was amazing nice flat trail too. very dry up there already it seems to be in a rain shadow. If you want more info let me know.

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"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort".Herm Albright(1876 - 1944)