Silver Star (north loop) + Sturgeon Rock - 7/11/2012

[greglief]

I squeezed in my annual Silver Star wildflower pilgrimage on Wednesday. Although this is not a banner year for Bear grass (Xerophyllum tenax), there are plenty of wildflowers to justify the effort of battling that nasty road. (A full trip report is available @ OregonWildflowers.org.) If you don't your weekend already planned, Silver Star should be on your short list.

Expanding upon alanecharlesworth's trip report from a visit the following day, here are some more photos.

The paintbrush display starts within several yards of the trailhead.

One of the many tiger lilies

Carpets of Western Bistort (Polygonum bistortoides)

Obligatory shot of Ed's Trail facing south

Mount Saint Helens and Mount Rainier from Ed's Trail

Mount Saint Helens and Mount Rainier from Ed's Trail

There are still many avalanche lilies (Erythronium montanum) in bloom in forested areas at higher elevations.

The light facing south was terrible for photography, but I had to take this shot of Mount Hood from Silver Star's south summit.

Silver Star north summit and Mount Saint Helens as seen from the south summit

After visiting the summit, I made a side trip to Sturgeon Rock in pursuit of "the sport that dare not speak its name". I certainly wasn't expecting to see another carpet of wildflowers blooming on top of the rock:

Wildflower carpet on Sturgeon Rock

Mount Saint Helens and Mount Rainier from Sturgeon Rock

Silver Star's summits from Sturgeon Rock

Mount Hood from Sturgeon Rock

Looking down on the Grouse Vista Trail from Sturgeon Rock

(continued)

[greglief]

After clambering down off Sturgeon Rock, I returned to road 180 and headed north, gawking the entire way...

Mount Saint Helens and Mount Rainier, and a kaleidoscope of wildflowers

A tiny bit of the copious Mountain golden-pea (Thermopsis montana)

Enjoying the view

Sick of Mount Saint Helens and Mount Rainier? Not yet.

Even though the bear grass was not, there were still plenty of nice specimens

Western Bistort (Polygonum bistortoides)

Oregon Iris (Iris tenax)

[hlee]

Beautiful photos! It looks like the sky was a lot clearer for you than for me. Nice mountain shots! On my first trip to Silver Star a few weeks ago, there was plenty of Bear Grass, but by a week later there was already noticeably less.

Is geocaching frowned upon here? I've never done it myself, but have a friend that's really into it.

[rick6003]

Thanks for the report, I am planning on a Silver Star hike on Sunday. Plan to visit the Falls on Star Creek, then up to Ed's Arch. Will be looking for those flowers on the top.

Also try to find Don's Camera, LOL!

Hlee, I thought I saw a report the other day that mentioned a geocache on the top.

[greglief]

Beautiful photos! It looks like the sky was a lot clearer for you than for me. Nice mountain shots! On my first trip to Silver Star a few weeks ago, there was plenty of Bear Grass, but by a week later there was already noticeably less.

Is geocaching frowned upon here? I've never done it myself, but have a friend that's really into it.

I'm glad that you were able to see some bear grass. There is still some, but it is nowhere near as prevalent as it has been (and can be).

As to your question, judging by the title of this discussion thread, some people frown upon it. I continue to maintain that geocachers are good stewards of the environment because of the prevailing geocaching ethic of "Cache In, Trash Out" (CITO). There are a number of geocaches hidden on Silver Star, none of which have caused any erosion damage. In fact, some of these will encourage people to visit places that they might not otherwise have planned to visit (e.g., Sturgeon Rock).

Greg

[CuriousGorgeGuide]

Great report Greg...thanks!! I love geocaches, though I've never had a GPS to search them out...I just kinda like muggling upon them and reading the log books and leaving fun messages like "took barbie head, left $10 gold coin"!

[hlee]

Interesting. I can understand the concern about damage to the environment somewhat. But hikers, bikers, and others can be just as destructive. It seemed that there was only one area of concern mentioned in that thread, and only two people that had any serious complaint about it. I feel it's a good way to get people out INTO the world, exploring.

rick, I think I remember the report you're thinking of too.

[miah66]

It seems your view was much better than mine, as well. I went up Friday afternoon/evening...but Rainier was not visible...just "the haze". The flowers are still beautiful, and worth the drive and the climb, for sure. Nice TR.

[miah66]

Also, your kitty is beautiful!

[justpeachy]

Also, your kitty is beautiful!

Greg does have two cats, but the kitty in his avatar photo is my cat Charmin, the softest sweetest cat ever. (I inherited her from an old roommate who thought she was soft like toilet paper, hence the name.)