Silver Peak Nov 1st 03

Great time of year and conditions for trekking this mountain, but heavier snow than we encountered could bring avalanche hazards later in the season on this route. We hit the trail around 10:00 am. Our Approach was from the "Mirror Lake" trailhead -exit 62- (Hellish road, probly need 4wd to make it all the way to the lot. Most cars park a half mile short). Followed Mirror Lake trail to intersect with the PCT and headed north from there. Found a trail marker and cairn on the left after reaching a broad gully and stream. After the left turn up the gully the trail got much steeper as we headed for the saddle between Silver and Abiel Peak to the south. Hit the saddle and followed the ridge northerly to the top. We had a dusting of snow at the trail head, and maybe 2-3 inches at higher elv. Temps were around 25 - 33 degrees. Goodly amounts of both ice and water right on the trail so be careful ( we had no ice axes, just poles, but any more snow and I might think about bringing an axe and maybe even crampons). Long but easy scrambling at the top (class 1-2) made a bit more interesting by the ice and snow, also some of those "solid" boulders are really not. Slight chance of rock fall (roll) from above. The top was rocky, with awsome 360 views despite high clouds. Visibility 30+ miles. Departed the top around 12:30 and got back to the trialhead lot by 2pm. Only saw about 10 others all day. I want to do this one as a winter climb, coming up and staying on the northwest ridge to avoid avalanches if I can get to a trailhead. We'll see. Good job Jeff, Vladimir, and Sonn! Doug