Silver Star Mountain Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Silver Star Trailhead
- End point: Silver Star Mountain
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 5.7 miles (round trip)
- Elevation gain: 1240 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: March through November
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
- Family Friendly: Yes (8 and older)
Contents |
Hike Description
Silver Star Mountain is one of the best 360 degree summits within a day's drive of Portland, boasting a rocky, exposed viewpoint of five major Cascade volcanoes. It is also a great wildflower area in the spring, and features huckleberries in the fall. Further, there are enough unique and sometimes fanciful rock outcrops along your journey that you'll wish you brought a geologist along!
Of the many hike options in the Silver Star area, three are most established: The Grouse Vista Trail, Silver Star Trail #180 and the Bluff Mountain Trail.
The Silver Star Hike using trail #180 is the shortest and most direct route. It is also also the best for wildflower lovers. In late spring, the meadows here are abundant with avalanche lilies and beargrass blooms.
The trail itself follows an old lookout access road. In fact, the road, although rocky, remains in good enough shape for a 4x4 pickup to drive it even now. The trail is also exposed just about the whole way up. Bring a hat and sun protection in the summer months.
After passing a couple of false summits, the trail eventually dips into the forest near the junction with Ed's Trail and the Bluff Mountain trail. As you approach the summit, you get your first views of Mount Hood and the gorge near Washougal, Washington. The trail basically ends at the middle of a saddle. This is a dual-summit of sorts. Take the left spur to the "true" summit which has the remnants of an old lookout tower. Then turn back and hike up the short 'south summit' (called Star 2 on the USGS maps) for the great photo-op of the north summit with Mount Rainier and Mount Saint Helens at its side.
You can return the way you came, but many people will return using Ed's Trail. Ed's trail parallels trail #180 for a few miles and shows off a few more interesting geologic formations - including an impressive rock arch.
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