Gray Butte via Skull Hollow

Started at Skull Hollow Campground, hit the trail clockwise, about 5.75 miles up from where I started.  Another 4.75 miles down the east side making the full loop, 10.5 miles with 2,298 ft of elevation gain.  The last mile is a pretty tough scramble for pretty much anyone, very steep, and very loose large rock & scree.   I recommend climbing alongside of the road in the grass as much as possible.  Beautiful views, although only the tip tops of the peaks were visible from the wildfire smoke.  I encountered many lizards, 3 deer, and numerous cows on the west side trail on the way up.