Silver Peak — Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022

I have done this hike multiple times. This is the first time I made it to the top. So I was pretty excited. But a few things. 

Driving directions: we always have trouble!  It is EAST Hyak Drive. Not NE. Drive till you see the utility gate and the take a right. It looks like you are going into more utility property but you’re not.  That will take you up to the start of the forest service road. We get this scrambled every time. 

Road conditions: pot holes at the bottom. Take it slow. Turns to washboard.  Occasional stretches of good. And then really ugly rocks and boulders near the trail head. We did see one brave sedan from Utah. But otherwise it was all SUV’s at the trailhead. 

Trail:  Forest trail is  great. The cairn to mark where to head to Silver Peak trail is large and obvious. Can’t miss it. Once you get out of the woods there is a lot of rock and a mostly obvious path. After the first false summit another short stretch of woods. And then a rocky scramble to the peak which has a path of sorts but also a lot of pick your own adventure options. 

Bugs:  people complaining about bugs on this hike have not seen bugs. Yes. Some mosquitos. At the top, a bunch of flies with little interest in us. We never put on bug repellant and barely put on long sleeves. 

Beautiful day. Pleasant breeze. And made it to the top. No snow. No howling winds. Just a great day. Felt very accomplished.