April 15, 2012, Silver Peak to Lake Annette

Ed, Frank, Laura, Anita. myself and Tia the wonder dog left a car at exit 47, drove to the Silver Fir parking lot and then skinned up XC trails to "Grand Junction" and followed the "Ripsaw" XC trail down to the bottom of "Windy Acres" Ripsaw was in very bumpy condition from snow cats hauling downed timber up the trail to "Grand Junction".   Followed snow-mobile tracks through "Windy Acres" and up in the NE basin, Gaining the North ridge was pretty easy and good views in all directions.  Enjoyed a relaxed lunch -- until the whine of snow-mobiles high marking in Silver's north basin intruded on the day.   Silver's west slopes skied very well.  At first the snow "dust on smooth crust", with progressive softening -- but the snow only became mush just above Lake Annette.   Crossed the lake and skied west side of creek at bottom of avalanche slopes from Humpback Mtn all the way to the railroad tracks / Iron Horse trail.   Rejoined the hiking trail there and skiied a bit farther, but hiked with skis on pack out the last 1/2 mile of so.