Another thing I'd do before trying to unscrew that bolt counterclockwise from above using whatever method is to check the end of the exposed bolt for corrosion and brush it all off. That could be what's holding it in there in addition to the tension.
There's no corrosion visible from the bottom, but you can really only see the bottom of the fastener, which is slightly recessed.
As to your earlier question - the extractor is still stuck in the top. I did consider the possibility that I could making things harder. Barring damaging my fork leg, if a shop would need me to remove the fork leg and then either drill it out on a mill or weld a nut, they could do that pretty much no matter what I do to the fastener. It will just cost more.
It does seem like I keep hitting obstacles, but I am also inexperienced at this game, so a certain amount of that is expected. . I'm trying to maintain a positive attitude and view each obstacle or outright failure as a learning opportunity - doesn't matter if you fall down, what matters is whether you get up, blah blah blah. I've given my kids that lecture more than a few times, so I'm putting my money where my mouth is, and if I want to do this stuff myself, I need to learn.
If I feel like I can't drill out the bottom with the front raised on the Skylift, or if that fails, then I will probably (have to) bring it in. Unless I can make friends with a good welder. I always tell my wife I should have married a massage therapist or chiropractor. Maybe I should have married a welder.
