I very rarely repeat a hike. There are simply too many trails out there to pass up a new experience. This trail was low on my list but I thought it might be a good last minute sunset hike so I grabbed my headlamp and drove to Snoqualmie Pass. The first part of the trail is on the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail), and I always enjoy that, especially when I meet through-hikers. This time it was just me and three women that were just returning to the trailhead as I was starting. The rest of the time it was a wonderful, solo hike - half at dusk and half in the dark.

The rough trail to Silver Peak breaks off from the well-groomed PCT after 1.7 miles. A cairn (of course) marks the entrance to the side trail where roots & rocks take you steeply up to the foothills of Silver Peak. Scree and talus take you to the summit at 5605 ft with some of the most expansive views of the area that I've seen. This really surprised me.

I arrived a bit late to the summit on my first trip and didn't leave myself a lot of time to watch the sun go down, so I convinced my wife, daughter and her fiancé to head back up a week later. This time we timed it right and had a sunset dinner at the summit. Mt Rainier did its thing to the south and the sun did its thing to the west. You feel like you're on top of it all from this vantage point. This one is a hidden gem.