Summer Solstice turns - where to go?

Looking for a location along the I-90 corridor near/west of the crest to make some turns on Wed. evening. The hope is to leave downtown a smidge before 5 and make it somewhere with a good view of what should be a nice sunset around 9pm then ride down in the dusk (obviously bringing headlamps just in case). I'm heading out with a few folks who have BC gear and knowledge but lack touring setups so the timing has to take that into account.

I was hoping Alpental would pan out but recent reports and the webcam indicate that there would be a fair amount of downclimbing to the parking lots and into upper nash. Is that the case or is it not as bad as it looks?

Recent reports indicate that the corn on Silver Peak is ready to be harvested and that the road to Windy Pass is free of snow. I've only climbed to the top in the summer when there's little/no snow. I'd imagine with snow you could take a much more direct route in less time than trekking out the PCT and up the south side require. Is that the case?

Try further up the Alpental valley. Should still be plenty of snow up in Pineapple Pass, N side of Chair, etc

As of yesterday Alpental could still be skied from the top to the patio without any carries by staying far skiers right on the chair 1 side. By Weds I expect there may be a few small dirt patches that will need negotiation within a hundred yards of the bottom. Skiing into Upper I requires a few committed turns if one doesn't want to portage 10 ft across the standard entrance. There will be a sizable crowd skinning up @Alp on Weds afternoon/evening of some 30-40 people as of last headcount to enjoy the Solstice at the top of 2....

Silver access is now very straight forward skiing from the car a little less than 0.4 miles from Windy Pass with an easy climb up through the clear cut and angling towards the West ridge. You will also likely encounter groups of people taking in the Solstice here as well.

By June 20th with snow pack consolidation, BC gear is less of a necessity than a touring set up IMO. There are creek crossings I have confidence getting across on skis that could be dangerous while booting.

Thanks for the beta, Mofro.

I've had enough close calls with thin snow bridges in the late spring / early summer that I've learned to avoid them entirely, even if it means a lot more work. Good to know that Alps can be done top -> bottom without having to make too many turns on Appalachian "powder" (I grew up skiing in the mid-Atlantic. Their early March = our early June most years).

Right now the choice is down to a slog to the top of Chair 2, a shorter slog up to the top of Silver or the ever-fun adventure to the top of Pilchuck (trip reports on WTA report snow just above the trailhead). Having done all with snow in the spring but Silver, I'd imagine any of them could be done in 2.5 hours by my friends and I, bootpacking and all.

Expect to see groups at Alpy and Silver tomorrow (Wednesday) evening. Should be fun

Alpental was great last night - lots of people, lots of fun (lots of beer and BBQ, too).

I imagine it will be my last trip to the top of Chair 2 until winter - coverage is very thin down low and walking is required to get back to the patio.