Deadman Canyon Loop

From Silliman Pass you can look back towards Twin Lakes for this view.

Silliman Pass

Deadman Canyon Loop - By D.W.Donehoo (All rights reserved)

If you stay and you have the time and energy, there are some cross-country opportunities to the south, climbing to the obvious notch above the southern lake. There is also some pleasant walking near the outlet creek and some modest views as you walk along the creek to its cascades. Fires are not legal here, as can be seen by the lack of fire pits, but if it is early season and you plan to be up at first light, you will probably want to hit the sack at sunset. Your body most likely approves of this idea after what you demanded of it the first day: you have climbed 2,846 feet to an altitude of 9,430 feet in 8 miles!

Silliman Pass has a good assortment of strange rock formations.

If you have spent the night at Twin Lakes, the hike up to Silliman Pass will be invigorating warm-up and if you are continuing a first day hike after a rest at Twin Lakes, it may be in for something of a grunt. What ever your plans, this section of the trail is well graded and maintained and provides entertaining views and geological points of interests. At the lakes, you can plainly see one of the summits, called Twin Peaks, of Silliman pass and the wooded slope that hides the trail. You start off on a level tread until you get the base of the wooded slope, where the trail briskly begins a moderate climb on good trail, leaving behind a fir zone and enters a domain of the Lodgepole Pine. Numerous switchbacks
rapidly ascends the steep wooded slope, rounding near vertical corners, verging on expansive glacially polished slopes and revealing pleasant views of the lakes below. About
2/3 of the way up, an excellent example of granite exfoliation on one of the Twin Peaks comes into view. As you near the top, you will know the trail summit is near because it seems the trail builders decided you were so close to the top by that point, you may as well walk the rest of the way steeply straight uphill. In addition, the trail disappears completely on the hard packed surface, so look for footprints and ducks, keeping your line straight up the hill. At the summit, it is time to drop your pack to enjoy one of the best views of the Sierra anywhere.