Difference between revisions of "Grouse Vista Trailhead"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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Alternate route to trailhead. This is a little further from Portland and Vancouver but the road is a little better. | Alternate route to trailhead. This is a little further from Portland and Vancouver but the road is a little better. | ||
| − | Go North on I-5 from Vancouver, take exit | + | Go North on I-5 from Vancouver, take exit 11, and take highway 502 5.8 miles to Battleground, or take highway 503 from Vancouver to Battleground. |
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
Revision as of 16:07, 20 May 2015
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.72200, -122.26950
- Elevation: 2375 feet
- Driving time from Portland: 75 minutes
Contents |
Hikes starting here
- Silver Star via Grouse Vista Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star via Sturgeon Rock Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
Notes
The Grouse Vista Trailhead is the most common starting point for those climbing Silver Star Mountain from the south. It has a few informal names like 'Silver Star South Trailhead', or 'Tarbell Trail South Trailhead'.
In 2006, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest added a trailhead sign with a very nice map of the whole area.
It's unclear which trail to take up to Silver Star Mountain. The trail you want is the one on the opposite side of the road from the sign, on the North side of the road. The trail you don't want is on the South side and goes to Larch Mountain.
Warning
The last 6 miles is on a pretty rough gravel road, doable by most standard passenger cars, you just have to be slow and careful.
Forest Service Roads are not plowed, and especially during the winter conditions can change at any time. It is wise to carry a shovel and saw in case of slides or blowdowns. Access current conditions before planning a hike.
Driving Directions
See the maps at the bottom of this page that correspond to some of the steps in these directions.
Take I-5 or I-205 to Route 14 in Washington. Take Route 14 east to Washougal. Turn left on 15th Street in Washougal (across from Steamboat Landing Park).
| Step | Cumulative Miles | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | Reset odometer at highway 14. Go through Washougal on 15th, which becomes 17th. |
| 2 | 0.6 | Go over the Washougal River Bridge. The road changes name to Washougal River Road and winds along side the Washougal River. |
| 2 | 6.7 | Turn left on Hughes Road marked "Bear Prairie Road" on the local road sign. The road winds uphill and through rural forests and farm land. |
| 3 | 8.3 | The road changes name to NE 392nd Ave (but the only way you'de know this is from your GPS or road signs). |
| 4 | 8.6 | The road changes name to NE 28th Street / NE Miller Road. |
| 5 | 9.8 | Turn right on Sky Road / NE 39th Street. |
| 6 | 9.9 | Turn left on NE 412th Ave / Skamania Mines Road. |
| 7 | 10.1 | Bear right at the Y in the road, still on Skamania Mines Road. |
| 8 | 11.3 | Cross the West Branch of the Washougal River, still on Skamania Mines Road, which becomes a dirt road. The road narrows and gains elevation steeply as it winds through the thick forest. |
| 9 | 12.6 | Turn left on Forest Road 1200 / Skamania Mines Road. There is no road sign, just a stop sign. |
| 10 | 12.7 | Bear left, continuing on Forest Road 1200. There is an illegible local road sign. The road becomes pretty rough, winding through thick forests and occasional clear cuts. |
| 11 | 18.5 | Arrive at the trailhead. |
Alternate route to trailhead. This is a little further from Portland and Vancouver but the road is a little better.
Go North on I-5 from Vancouver, take exit 11, and take highway 502 5.8 miles to Battleground, or take highway 503 from Vancouver to Battleground.
| Step | Odometer Reading | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0 | Reset Odometer at intersection of highways 502 and 503. Go North on highway 503. |
| 2 | 5.6 | Turn right on Rock Creek Road. There's a sign saying "Lucia Falls, Moulton Falls". Rock Creek Road becomes Lucia Falls Road after a while. |
| 3 | 14.1 | Turn right on Sunset Falls Road. There's a sign saying "Sunset C. G.". |
| 4 | 16.1 | Turn right on Dole Valley Road which becomes L1000. |
| 5 | 21.2 | Turn left on L1200. Up to here the road is two lane paved. The last leg is one lane with coarse gravel, so drive carefully. Within the first mile there is a fork, stay going uphill to the right (the other road is L1210.) This is doable with a standard passenger car. |
| 6 | 26.7 | Grouse Vista Trailhead. |
More info
Fees / Regulations
- Discover Pass required ($10/day or $30 annually). Not available at the trailhead. Purchase pass locally, or by phone at 866-320-9933 (then display permit number on your car's dash for ranger to verify until your pass comes in the mail).
More Links
Page Contributors
- Jeffstatt (creator)