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.

Silver Peak 2013-01-05

6.44 miles and 3,406 feet of elevation gain.

We went up the Annette Lake trail, then left the trail and headed up hill at about 3,300 feet.  We made it to the ridge, the last quarter of a mile required crampons and would have been too dangerous for the dogs.  We met a group returning from Silver Peak,  they were from the Mountaineers and said it was about an hour to get to the peak.  With the windchill, the temperature at the ridge was minus a bazillion degrees.  
 

Google Maps link

 Looking down the Annette Lake side of the ridge.  Blue is looking for lost bits of his treat.

 The easterly ridge from Silver Peak.

 The north side of Silver Peak.  The main summer follows the ridge on the south side of the peak.

The last group of Mountaineers heading back to the Annette Lake trail with Blue and Sly in pursuit.

Silver Peak 2009-08-30

From Seattle, I-90 east, exit 54.  At the end of the ramp, check the mile and turn right and then left at the 2nd left. Pass vacation homes and public works buildings. The road turns to gravel and becomes Forest Road 9070. Go left at the T.  At 3.5 miles from the ramp is a hairpin turn and a small parking space on the right. Left is the trail head for Twin Lakes, Mirror Lake, Cottonwood Lake, and Silver Peak.  For shorter hike, continue on the gravel forest service road to the Windy Pass.  From Windy Pass, walk 2 miles to the turn-off and another mile of very steep hike and then the scramble to the Silver Peak (5600'). 

This hike, I drove to the Windy Pass, a very popular blueberry picking spot, and hiked on the Pacific Crest Trail. I looked for the inconspicuous turn-off to the Silver Peak and managed to find it!

There is a trail somewhere.

Blue and Audrey found it.

Audrey at the Peak:  it is a true peak like Mount Defiance.  You have a 360 degree view. 

Blue on the scramble.

Looking down from the Peak

On the way down, dogs grazed on blueberries.

They were real yummy.  Blueberry bushes on high altitude are short.  At the McClellan Butte, I have seen one 2 inches tall with one big juicy sweet berry!   Bushes on the Silver Peak (5603' elevation) were a little taller, anywhere from 4 inches to 1 foot with a few berries in each bush.  Of course at lower altitude, bushes were taller, about 2 feet, with lot more berries. 

Trail is steep and rocky.  We saw one other bossie (BC-Aussie X) at the peak.  There were more hikers than I expected to see for the rocky trail.  Perhaps the name Silver Peak attracts hikers.  View was spectacular.  Princess Audrey had a minor cut on her left rear paw but nothing major.  As usual, dogs were at their best on the way home:  sleep.

Mirror Lake / Silver Peak 2009-08-01

From Seattle, I-90 east to exit 54. At the end of the ramp, check the mile and turn right and 2nd left. Pass vacation homes and public works buildings. The road turns to gravel and becomes Forest Road 9070. At 3.5 miles from the ramp is a hairpin turn and a small parking space on the right. Left is the trail head for Twin Lakes, Mirror Lake, Cottonwood Lake, and Silver Peak.

We went to the Twin Lakes first. Of course dogs had to play in the water.

On the way to the Silver Peak, we came across a patch of devils club (Oplopanax horridus) on the side of a steep narrow trail. Don't grab them for support because they have thorns.  Lots of them.

Mirror Lake

Sly's first swim ever. He even fetched a stick.

We missed a turnoff to Silver Peak and continued on the Pacific Crest Trail. Blue spotted a small pond to quench his thirst.

We went to the Windy Pass and turned around. We will have to attempt again next time and find our way to the Silver Peak.


It was a nice hike, not very many people, and sunny. When we came home, Blue had a bath, drank warm milk, and relaxed.