I'll be backpacking the Skyline to the Sea trail next week, and I wanted to check out alternatives to the standard Day 1 hike, which is right along Hwy 9. There are two other ways to get to Waterman Gap:1) Starting from Castle Rock State Park, take Saratoga Gap trail to the campground, then pick up Tavertine Spring Trail. This was a lovely trail which skirted the huge wooded valley to the west. You meet up with the Saratoga Toll Road and take that south to join the regular Skyline to the Sea trail.2) Starting from the parking lot at the intersection of 35 and 9, take the Saratoga Toll Road down to connect to Skyline to the Sea. Gradual descent, mostly wide, except for some of the early part. Lots of poison oak on both trails.