Silver Peak

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 MeClellan 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.