Silver Star Loop 15-Apr-2012
Posted: April 15th, 2012, 5:21 pm
Silver Star's South Ridge route is one of my favorites because it starts below the snow line (usually) and climbs quickly out of the trees and into some great views. When Silver Star is heavy with snow - as it is now - this route is a fun snow hike. On a bluebird day like the Saturday before last, it would have been great. Unfortunately, I'd just gotten back from a business trip back east and had acquired a bad case of airplane flu in the process. I thought I could power through it but I hit the wall at the 3000' level and had to bail. So, after a week convalescing at work (sick leave? ha!), I was ready to give the South Ridge another try. Last week, the snow had started at about 1800',
but had pretty much melted in a week, so that I didn't have to put on my snowshoes today until about 2800'.
Just above 3200', I came around the corner of the ridge and got a big view of Silver Star and Point 4050 (to the right) where the Indian pits reside. I headed up to the right past the pits.
Along the way, I had a good view of Three Corner Rock to the E.
From atop Point 4050, I could see Silver Star, St. Helens, and Rainier. Some high clouds had started to move in and my otherwise bluebird day was faltering.
I pushed on and, as I passed over "Star 2", the lower point on Silver Star's summit ridge, I looked back and saw two people following my route to the top. Given how popular this peak is in the summer, I'd expected to see a few folks on the top but I found myself alone. I had a nice view S toward Hood and Jefferson (dim white speck up and left of the cornice).
As I was finishing lunch, the two people I'd spotted earlier reached the summit and - surprise
- they Don Nelsen and Guy! Last time I'd seen Don in person was when I was hauling trash down the Wyeth Trail. A third person soon joined us but that was it - four on the summit of Silver Star on an otherwise OK weather day. However, without snowshoes it would have been a real workout. As Don and Guy headed off on some epic, herculean adventure, I retraced their steps down to Grouse Vista and then followed the road back to my car, catching an interesting view of Hood along the way.
Decent weather, fun snow route, and a pleasant chat on the summit all combined to make this a short (9.75 mi, 2900' EG) but very rewarding hike.
but had pretty much melted in a week, so that I didn't have to put on my snowshoes today until about 2800'.
Just above 3200', I came around the corner of the ridge and got a big view of Silver Star and Point 4050 (to the right) where the Indian pits reside. I headed up to the right past the pits.
Along the way, I had a good view of Three Corner Rock to the E.
From atop Point 4050, I could see Silver Star, St. Helens, and Rainier. Some high clouds had started to move in and my otherwise bluebird day was faltering.
I pushed on and, as I passed over "Star 2", the lower point on Silver Star's summit ridge, I looked back and saw two people following my route to the top. Given how popular this peak is in the summer, I'd expected to see a few folks on the top but I found myself alone. I had a nice view S toward Hood and Jefferson (dim white speck up and left of the cornice).
As I was finishing lunch, the two people I'd spotted earlier reached the summit and - surprise
- they Don Nelsen and Guy! Last time I'd seen Don in person was when I was hauling trash down the Wyeth Trail. A third person soon joined us but that was it - four on the summit of Silver Star on an otherwise OK weather day. However, without snowshoes it would have been a real workout. As Don and Guy headed off on some epic, herculean adventure, I retraced their steps down to Grouse Vista and then followed the road back to my car, catching an interesting view of Hood along the way.Decent weather, fun snow route, and a pleasant chat on the summit all combined to make this a short (9.75 mi, 2900' EG) but very rewarding hike.
BTW, what was Don and Guy up too? Probably will be a TR soon but . . . 