Decided to try Silver Star Mountain upon O's suggestion a couple of weeks ago. O and V planned for a one-day assault. Too long a drive (3.5 hours one way) for a day hike, IMHO. I opted to an overnight outing. 
Left Seattle on a relaxed morning, making a stop at Diablo Lake lookout and had a picnic lunch here in shade. Made another stop at Washington Pass for photos.
I was surprised to see so many cars (~20) at the unofficial TH (not marked on Caltopo). There's even a privy. We started hiking close to 12:30pm. We found the boot track right next to Silver Star Creek's east (left) bank. The "trail" is overgrown and obstructed by down trees, and it goes up quickly. Saw quite some glacier lilies, and one fairy slipper early on. Soon we hit snow.
About 1.5 hour from the TH, we reached an open slope with great view of our destination and Visiliki Ridge, before going into the woods again. 
Soon, the slope eases to flat swamps. Punching holes right into water at times. Multiple tracks going around soggy grounds and fallen logs in different directions. Once you emerge from the trees again, you are facing the head wall of Silver Star Creek basin. 
It's better to cross the basin to its right side (west), and up towards Burgundy Col. As it happens, we saw a group of girls coming down the left side, following Silver Star Creek, so we went up the left side. Quite steep, so I took ice axe out.
We reached the flat area, and pitched the tent in the middle of some boulders. ~6300'. Good view all around. I dug snow trenches at the tent doors, for foot-rest. Dug a smaller hole for cooking. It drizzled a bit at night.
5/23, Sunday. Clear blue sky. Didn't wake up early enough for sunrise. Still, early morning has good light. After a lazy morning (read my library book) and breakfast, we headed up towards Silver Star Col, in crampons, ice axe and helmet. Should have brought along micro-spikes (better for glissading).
All the way to the col is straightforward. Steep at times, but wide and soft snow, safe enough. I even took a minor side track to go along the left (east) ridge for a bit to see the Varden Creek basin: Varden Spire, Silver Moon, .... Quite a few people today, more skiers than hikers (see photo to the right).
The view at the col is absolutely amazing. Countless snowy peaks. Had a long break here, ate a sandwich, chatted with a stranger, who told us a scrambling route to Lake Syvester and Grindstone Mt.
From here to Silver Star Mountain is exposed, steep, rocks with narrow snow strips. Made to below this rock gap, ~10-20' below the summit.
Two rope parties, one having trouble getting the rope off, another tying his. I tried to squeeze in the gap, couldn't find a good hand hold, so gave up. Still good to get here. The view at this perch is unbelievable.
Back at the col for another break before going down to the camp. I glissaded a couple of times. Having crampons on is not a good idea. Packed and hiked out. We should have followed most hikers. Instead, we followed our own ascent route to go down. A bit scatchy. I back-climbed, relying on ice-axe without trouble, just very slow. My hiking partner took into the trees, and managed to tumble down to a lower tree, and hit his head, slit his pants. When we reached the trailhead, it was ~6:30pm. Rained on the drive home.
I'm already thinking of coming back here at larch time.
