Went up Skyline yesterday, for the first time in a year. Maybe the last time, given my speed.
There are several places where the switchback cuts look like they are regularly used by a herd of buffalo. I know this does not bother some people, but it bothers me, and I think many other people as well. And is contrary to every set of rules on hiking ever written. Switchback cuts inevitably turn into ugly eroded troughs, which ultimately are not even good for their original purpose.
To be clear, I'm not talking about alternative cross-country and use path routes, or the various places where the trail diverges temporarily into roughly equivalent routes. I tend to think those are ok. I confess, I even cross Doreen's barriers in one or two places. But switchback cuts are different. They save only a few yards and seconds, and seem to serve no purpose but give some people a phony macho off-trail feeling. If someone's wilderness activity ego needs a boost, there is no shortage of legitimate and respectable ways to do it.
Also saw a fair amount of litter, mainly tissue paper and food wrappers. I suspect the contributors there are one-time for-the-bucket-list Skyliners.