Annette Lake 2015-04-08

7.34 miles and 2,031 feet of elevation gain.

This is a very popular hike on nice summer weekends.  On wet overcast early spring days you only see a few people.  No great views but it was nice to get out and hike.

Googles Maps link

Crossing Humpback Creek, about a quarter mile from the trailhead.

The part of Humpback Mountain that is not in the clouds.

Arrived at Annette Lake, the lake is snow free.

The base of Abiel Peak in the background.

 Playing in the lake.

Nobody was happy about posing. 

Annette Lake 2014-05-14

7.3 miles and 2,092 feet of elevation gain.

There wasn't anyone in the parking lot when we arrived so we had a quite hike up to the lake and had the lake to ourselves.  Since this was a weekday hike, we only met a couple of groups on the way down.  All the snow chutes had snow but they were easy to cross with only one requiring a little bit effort.  It was a great day with great company.  AND Blue didn't find anything other than dirty snow to roll in.

Google Maps link  Click Terrain for a better view

Blue at the creek crossing next to the John Wayne Pioneer trail.

At the lake.

Nothing like a good roll in the snow.

Treat time

The boys are more interested in chasing sticks than posing for pictures.

Crossing one of several snow chutes.

Trail formation with Blue scouting up ahead (between the trees).

Silver Peak via Annette Lake 2013-10-17

9.75 miles and 4,182 feet of elevation gain.


The plan was a quick trip up to the lake, look for the path up to Silver Peak and then a quick trip back down.  After a wrong turn, we did see the path going out of a campsite up a little hill about 30 feet from the main trail to the lake.  No signs or flags.  Once we started up, there wasn't any stopping

The path up the hill is steep but with nice tread for the first portion going through the trees.  Once you hit the rocks it is much more difficult.  Look for cairns and in many places a path is visible in the rocks. This trail hits the ridge at about the same spot as the winter route that approaches from the other side of the ridge.   The trail follows the ridge just below the top and with the exception of a couple of short scrambles, you just walk along.  Well, until you come to a patch of frozen solid snow.  These were only for 8-10 feet but with such a steep slope here wasn't any easy way around, or in some cases, any way around.  I picked up a spike shaped rock and carried it with me to chisel in foot steps.  

On the way down, Blue did a great job of following the path which allowed me to concentrate more on my next step.  Going up is slow but going down takes a toll on the legs because of all the loose rocks.
  

Annette Lake

Sly is too busy looking for sticks to posse.

The trail going up the hill.

Rocks and more rocks above the trees.

Almost to the top of the ridge.

 

At the top of Silver Peak.

Annette Lake is almost 2,000 feet below.