Difference between revisions of "Silver Star Mountain"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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[[Category:Gifford Pinchot National Forest]] | [[Category:Gifford Pinchot National Forest]] | ||
[[Category:Southwest Washington]] | [[Category:Southwest Washington]] | ||
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:360 Degree Summits]] |
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Exposed Summits]] |
[[Category:Geologic Features]] | [[Category:Geologic Features]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Former Lookouts]] | ||
[[Category:Viewpoints]] | [[Category:Viewpoints]] | ||
[[Category:Wildflowers]] | [[Category:Wildflowers]] | ||
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* Hikes to this location: | * Hikes to this location: | ||
− | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Silver Star Trailhead|hike=Silver Star Mountain Hike|log=Silver Star Mountain Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction|next=Silver Star Mountain}} | + | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Silver Star North Trailhead|hike=Silver Star Mountain Hike|log=Silver Star Mountain Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction|next=Silver Star Mountain}} |
− | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Silver Star Trailhead|hike=Silver Star | + | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Silver Star North Trailhead|hike=Silver Star via Ed's Trail Loop Hike|log=Silver Star via Ed's Trail Loop Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction|next=Silver Star Mountain}} |
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** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Starway Trailhead|hike=Silver Star Mountain via Starway Trail Hike|log=Silver Star Mountain via Starway Trail Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction|next=Silver Star Mountain}} | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Starway Trailhead|hike=Silver Star Mountain via Starway Trail Hike|log=Silver Star Mountain via Starway Trail Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction|next=Silver Star Mountain}} | ||
− | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Starway Trailhead|hike=Silver Star Mountain via Sturgeon Rock Loop Hike|log=Silver Star Mountain via Sturgeon Rock Loop Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction|next=Silver Star- | + | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Bluff Mountain Trailhead|hike=Silver Star Mountain via Bluff Mountain Hike|log=Silver Star Mountain via Bluff Mountain Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction|next=Silver Star Mountain}} |
+ | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Silver Star South Trailhead|hike=Silver Star South Ridge Hike|log=Silver Star South Ridge Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction|next=Silver Star 2}} | ||
+ | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Grouse Vista Trailhead|hike=Silver Star Mountain via Grouse Vista Hike|log=Silver Star Mountain via Grouse Vista Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction|next=Silver Star Mountain}} | ||
+ | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Grouse Vista Trailhead|hike=Silver Star-Pyramid Rock Loop Hike|log=Silver Star-Pyramid Rock Loop Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction|next=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction}} | ||
+ | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Starway Trailhead|hike=Silver Star Mountain via Sturgeon Rock Loop Hike|log=Silver Star Mountain via Sturgeon Rock Loop Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction|next=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction}} | ||
+ | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Grouse Vista Trailhead|hike=Silver Star-Chinook Trail Loop Hike|log=Silver Star-Chinook Trail Loop Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction|next=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction}} | ||
{{maplinkinfo|latitude=45.74776|longitude=-122.23903}} | {{maplinkinfo|latitude=45.74776|longitude=-122.23903}} | ||
− | + | * Elevation: 4375 feet | |
=== Description === | === Description === | ||
− | Silver Star Mountain, commonly called just "Silver Star," is a bald, exposed peak in Skamania County in Southwest Washington not far from the eastern limits of Vancouver. It is one of the most prominent | + | Silver Star Mountain, commonly called just "Silver Star," is a bald, exposed peak in Skamania County in Southwest Washington not far from the eastern limits of Vancouver. It is one of the most prominent peaks on the northeastern horizon looking from Portland and is visible from points all over the [[Columbia River Gorge]]. Silver Star is a popular destination due to the amazing summer wildflower meadows on its slopes, as well as the fantastic 360 degree panoramic vista from the top. On a clear day, you can see five Cascade volcanoes: [[Mount Rainier|Rainier]], [[Mount Saint Helens|St. Helens]], [[Mount Adams|Adams]], [[Mount Hood|Hood]] and [[Mount Jefferson|Jefferson]]. It is a former lookout site, as evidenced by the remains of a foundation on the summit. |
− | There are many approaches to climbing Silver Star. The three most popular options are: [[Silver Star Hike|Silver Star Trail #180]] from the north, the easiest of the three; [[Silver Star via Grouse Vista Hike| | + | There are many approaches to climbing Silver Star. The three most popular options are: [[Silver Star Mountain Hike|Silver Star Trail #180]] from the north, the easiest hike of the three, but with the worst drive to the trailhead, currently needing high clearance and AWD; the [[Silver Star via Grouse Vista Hike|Grouse Vista Trail #180F]] from the south, the most varied and popular, but with the most elevation gain; and the [[Silver Star via Bluff Mountain Hike|Bluff Mountain Trail]] from the east, much longer but a lot quieter (a very potholed road and long drive, however). A very underused approach is to take the Silver Star Trail #180 from its [[Silver Star South Trailhead|south trailhead]] (see the [[Silver Star South Ridge Hike]]): this is a a lot more elevation gain but guarantees you more solitude, at least until you reach the crowded summit area. |
− | No matter which of the trails you select, you'll spend at least part of your journey surrounded by vast meadows on all sides, thanks to the devastating Yacolt Burn | + | No matter which of the trails you select, you'll spend at least part of your journey surrounded by vast meadows and open slopes on all sides, thanks to the devastating Yacolt Burn of 1902. Depending on the time of year, these meadows are filled with abundant wildflower blooms; many people say it's the best display anywhere near Portland. June and July are typically the peak months. |
− | The Chinook Trail Association has been building a system of trails from Yacolt to [[Three Corner Rock]] with Silver Star Mountain as its crown jewel. This network is part of a large scale plan to connect existing trails all along | + | The Chinook Trail Association has been building a system of trails from Yacolt to [[Three Corner Rock]] with Silver Star Mountain as its crown jewel. This network is part of a large scale plan to connect existing trails all along the Washington side of the [[Columbia River Gorge]]. |
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=== More Links === | === More Links === | ||
− | + | * [http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151376/silver-star-mountain-skamania.html Silver Star Mountain (Skamania) (Summit Post)] | |
− | * [http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151376/silver-star-mountain-skamania.html | + | * [http://nwhiker.com/GPNFHike50.html Silver Star Mountain via Ed's Trail Hike (Northwest Hiker)] |
− | * [http://nwhiker.com/GPNFHike50.html | + | * [http://nwhiker.com/GPNFHike51.html Silver Star Mountain Loop Hike (Northwest Hiker)] |
− | * [http://nwhiker.com/GPNFHike51.html | + | * [http://adamschneider.net/photos/2008-07-ssm/ July 23, 2008: Silver Star Mountain, Washington (Adam Schneider's digital photos)] |
− | * [http://adamschneider.net/photos/2008-07-ssm/ Adam Schneider | + | * [http://washingtonlookouts.weebly.com/silver-star-mountain.html Silver Star Mountain (Forest Lookouts)] |
− | * [http:// | + | |
=== Page Contributors === | === Page Contributors === | ||
− | * [[user:jeffstatt]] (creator) | + | * [[user:jeffstatt|jeffstatt]] (creator) |
[[Image:SilverStarArea.jpg|800px]] | [[Image:SilverStarArea.jpg|800px]] |
Latest revision as of 18:36, 15 March 2021
- Hikes to this location:
- Silver Star Mountain Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star via Ed's Trail Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star Mountain via Starway Trail Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star Mountain via Bluff Mountain Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star South Ridge Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star Mountain via Grouse Vista Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star-Pyramid Rock Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star Mountain via Sturgeon Rock Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star-Chinook Trail Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.74776, -122.23903
- Elevation: 4375 feet
Description
Silver Star Mountain, commonly called just "Silver Star," is a bald, exposed peak in Skamania County in Southwest Washington not far from the eastern limits of Vancouver. It is one of the most prominent peaks on the northeastern horizon looking from Portland and is visible from points all over the Columbia River Gorge. Silver Star is a popular destination due to the amazing summer wildflower meadows on its slopes, as well as the fantastic 360 degree panoramic vista from the top. On a clear day, you can see five Cascade volcanoes: Rainier, St. Helens, Adams, Hood and Jefferson. It is a former lookout site, as evidenced by the remains of a foundation on the summit.
There are many approaches to climbing Silver Star. The three most popular options are: Silver Star Trail #180 from the north, the easiest hike of the three, but with the worst drive to the trailhead, currently needing high clearance and AWD; the Grouse Vista Trail #180F from the south, the most varied and popular, but with the most elevation gain; and the Bluff Mountain Trail from the east, much longer but a lot quieter (a very potholed road and long drive, however). A very underused approach is to take the Silver Star Trail #180 from its south trailhead (see the Silver Star South Ridge Hike): this is a a lot more elevation gain but guarantees you more solitude, at least until you reach the crowded summit area.
No matter which of the trails you select, you'll spend at least part of your journey surrounded by vast meadows and open slopes on all sides, thanks to the devastating Yacolt Burn of 1902. Depending on the time of year, these meadows are filled with abundant wildflower blooms; many people say it's the best display anywhere near Portland. June and July are typically the peak months.
The Chinook Trail Association has been building a system of trails from Yacolt to Three Corner Rock with Silver Star Mountain as its crown jewel. This network is part of a large scale plan to connect existing trails all along the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge.
More Links
- Silver Star Mountain (Skamania) (Summit Post)
- Silver Star Mountain via Ed's Trail Hike (Northwest Hiker)
- Silver Star Mountain Loop Hike (Northwest Hiker)
- July 23, 2008: Silver Star Mountain, Washington (Adam Schneider's digital photos)
- Silver Star Mountain (Forest Lookouts)
Page Contributors
- jeffstatt (creator)