Oh, right. I go where nobody else goes. Nailed it.

Friday (a day off), I took the pups and ran up Hall Point. Set a new PR for myself, introduced Tilly to what will be a frequent destination, and burned energy out of all three of us. I did see a couple of people on the trail which is super unusual, but nothing crazy.

Saturday, I tempted fate on the Snow Lake trail. Yeah, I know. The Snow Lake trail is about the most popular trail ever and I was just adding to the problem. I intended to go early, but alas, fate conspired and I was in the thick of it. Once we turned off the main trail on the winter route, the people dropped off. The only people on my route were climbers and skiers and folks that missed the switchback. From the pika fields to the ridge looking down on the lake, there were no people. Peace and quiet until we rejoined the trail and headed toward the trailhead. So many people, but since most wanted to pet Tilly I figured they must be ok.

Sunday, Tink and I found the trail up the west ridge to Silver. Special thanks to the couple that was camped at the end of the road walk who prevented me going up the wrong side of the basin. The trail we followed has seen enough boots to mostly stay a trail, but few enough that it faded in some areas. Thankfully, it went where I would have thought and we'd find it again. Compared to the normal route up Silver, this was magnificent. I came down the usual trail but will 100% be using the unofficial routes in the future.

This is the way it almost always goes. Go where most others won't and reap the rewards. It's not as easy, but it's almost always worth it.

📍 On the lands of the Snoqualmie people.