The very first left that you can take off of Skyland road is the East Fork loop. That takes you all the way into a little basin that will lead you back into places like Flat Top mountain and Elk Calf mountain and eventually across the snow bridge and then back up to Skyland road. Too many trees, stumps, and rocks still visible. If it's not visible, you'll still bump something! There are many play areas off to the right of Skyland road but it's the same conditions there too. The next major left fork is the Challenge Loop that will bring you out on Skyland road one hundred yards past the Challenge cabin. Still, too many land mines laying around. We road past the new warming hut to the end of Skyland road. We continued on puzzle creek to make our way into El Tigre Basin except that the forest circus have two signs on trees right before you decend down a v-notch drainage that will take you into the open pasture with the winding creek. I missed the signs because they were about fifteen feet up the tree. A little more snow and they will be at eye level. If you don't want a hefty ticket by a snow cop, I would stay out of there. Otherwise take your chances!
