GOLD SILVER WEDDING BAND

Silver Lake

This was a very fun trip and I hope to do it again next year. As a member of the Peninsula Wilderness club for almost a year now, I still had not gone on any outings with them. This all changed on this Sunday as 3 other members and myself did the "Koski" Loop. This loop is un-officially named after one of the members that first suggested this hike to the group. The hike starts at the Tubal Cain trailhead then veers off onto the Tull Canyon trail going to its end and eventually going off trail at its end climbing up to the col or saddle between Hawk Peak and Mount Worthington. Once on the ridge or col, travel northeast on the ridge until you reach the top of Hawk Peak. After summiting Hawk Peak. Make your way down towards Silver Lake which is visible from the ridge onto a faint boot path which is also visible from the ridge and through a large scree field until you reach the lake. Once you are at the lake, head on to the Silver Lake trail and follow it up the ridge between Welch Peak and Mount Townsend. For a quick summit bear right or south for an easy scramble to the top of Welch Peak. After Welch, head back down the ridge to regain the Silver Lake Trail and continue until you reach the Mount Townsend Trail. Take a left or west, going uphill towards Mount Townsend following trail until you get to summit. From summit going north, trail becomes the Little Quilcen Trail Continue downhill to a junction veering left and staying on ridge. This trail is also known as the Dirty Face Ridge Trail. Follow steep downhill trail until you reach the trailhead at road. A short walk downhill returns you to the start of the the hike.

Total Miles for trip, 16 or 17 depending on who you ask. Elevation - Just over a mile at around 5400 feet.

Things to see along the way.
Abandoned Manganes mines of Tull Canyon.
B-17 Bomber wreckage at Tull Canyon.
Makeshift Campsites utilizing old plane wreckage that only Les Stroud himself would be proud of.
Remains of a log cabin and Mine artifacts at Tull Canyon.
Hawk Peak
Silver Lakes
Welch Peaks
Mount Townsend

Silver Lake from the PCT. The valley in back is Indian Valley