Silver Peak

Silver Peak is one of our favorite hikes. We discovered this little beauty last year. This time we brought Jess and Tori with us.

It was quite different this year though, because the mountains are about a month or more behind season right now. There was so much snow up there this year, and so late, that everything is pushed back. The blueberries that we picked last year, are still just tiny and green, and there is still a lot of snow. And, unfortunately, with that came a TON of bugs. The mosquitoes were so bad we finally dowsed ourselves in bug spray. It helped - a little.

Our first snow patch that we ran into. One of many. Tori loved the snow.

Taking a breather. This is only about 1 hour into the hike. Everyone is still happy and smiling.

Every time I try to take a picture of Aaron and I, this is what it looks like. Exactly like this. Funny hu?

This is better - Jess took this one. Aren't we cute!

A small snow shelf, feeding the creek. There was a lot more creeks this time up too, because of all the snow.

Our first real climb. It was a small one, but gave the girls a taste of what was to come.

This was our first site of the peak we were heading to. This was about 1 1/2 hours into our hike. When I showed the girls where we were going, they both took one look at that and about died. It looked way to far to them. See the farthest, tallest peak in the background? That's where we were going. It's really not as far as it looks! Only about another 45 minutes to go.

At the base of the peak the hill side is just covered with these shale rocks that you have to hike up. So many people do this hike however, that there are permanent switchbacks even in the rock. We had to stop a few times, but the girls were doing great.

I don't think Jess ever appreciated snow so much. It was really hot and muggy, that it was making it a little difficult for the girls. They were sweaty and tired, but very determined to make it to the top. Jess just took a little rest in the snow and cooled off.

Well, there were no blueberries, but there was a little compensation for that. Since everything is pretty much behind a season up here right now, the wildflowers were abundant and absolutely beautiful. I couldn't resist taking a quick shot.

Getting ready for the last push to the top. And, yes, I am picking bugs out of Tori's hair. I had just killed another mosquito and was getting it out of her hair for her. It was really bad. We all have LOTS of souvenirs on our bodies.

This is about half way up the rock climbing to the top of the peak. Pretty awesome picture, and really gives you a little perspective on how high up we really are.

The last little ridge. Almost there, and they are still smiling. They can smell the end is almost at hand.

Yea!!!! It was a super hard hike for the girls, but I think they both enjoyed it, and thought it was worth it. Not many people can say they climbed a mountain over the weekend, but Jess and Tori can say that! They were awesome, and I think really felt a sense of accomplishment.

We would have stayed up here for a lot longer than we did, but the bugs were just so bad that we couldn't take it anymore. We were there for about 15 minutes while we ate our lunch of chicken strips and apples, and then had to head back down.