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:Columbia River Gorge]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Volcanic Features]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Geologic Features]] | ||
[[Category:Viewpoints]] | [[Category:Viewpoints]] | ||
[[Category:Wildflowers]] | [[Category:Wildflowers]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Destinations]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Former Lookouts]] | ||
| − | [[Image:SilverStarSmall.JPG|thumb|400px|Silver Star summit | + | [[Image:SilverStarSmall.JPG|thumb|400px|Silver Star summit ''(Jeff Statt)'']] |
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:SilverStarWildflowers.jpg|thumb|250px|July wildflowers ''(Adam Schneider)'']] |
| − | [[Image:HoodFromSilverStar.jpg|thumb|250px|The Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood from summit | + | [[Image:HoodFromSilverStar.jpg|thumb|250px|The Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood from summit ''(Jeff Statt)'']] |
[[Image:SilverStarTrailNetwork.JPG|thumb|450px|USFS Silver Star trail complex]] | [[Image:SilverStarTrailNetwork.JPG|thumb|450px|USFS Silver Star trail complex]] | ||
* Hikes to this location: | * Hikes to this location: | ||
| − | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Silver Star Trailhead|hike=Silver Star Hike|log=Silver Star Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star Summit Trail | + | ** {{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=Grouse Vista Trailhead|hike=Silver Star via Grouse Vista Hike|log=Silver Star via Grouse Vista Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star Summit Trail | + | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Silver Star Trailhead|hike=Silver Star Mountain Loop Hike|log=Silver Star Mountain Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star-Summit Trail Junction|next=Silver Star Mountain}} |
| − | ** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Bluff Mountain Trailhead|hike=Silver Star via Bluff Mountain Hike|log=Silver Star via Bluff Mountain Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star Summit Trail | + | ** {{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=Starway Trailhead|hike=Silver Star via Starway Trail Hike|log=Silver Star via Starway Trail Hike/Log|previous=Silver Star Summit Trail | + | ** {{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}} |
| − | {{maplinkinfo|latitude=45. | + | ** {{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-Indian Pit Trail Junction}} | |
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| + | {{maplinkinfo|latitude=45.74776|longitude=-122.23903}} | ||
| + | * Elevation: 4390 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 peeks on the | + | 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 peeks on the northeastern horizon looking from Portland, and visible from places 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 viewpoint 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 a leftover 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 | + | 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|Blue Grouse Trail #180F]] from the south, the most varied 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. |
| − | No matter which of the | + | 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 fire 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 SW Washington. | 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 SW Washington. | ||
| − | Silver Star is a very popular destination among hiking clubs, but it gets passed over by many due to the perception of the difficulty in getting to one of the main trailheads. True, you must traverse miles forest roads whose conditions are inconsistent from season to season. This author has made the trek on a half dozen occasions with nothing but a low clearance passenger car, and had few problems (had to navigate around some large pot holes in places!) | + | Silver Star is a very popular destination among hiking clubs, but it gets passed over by many due to the perception of the difficulty in getting to one of the main trailheads. True, you must traverse miles of forest roads whose conditions are inconsistent from season to season. This author has made the trek on a half dozen occasions with nothing but a low clearance passenger car, and had few problems (had to navigate around some large pot holes in places!) ''This refers to the [[Grouse Vista Trailhead]], not the rugged [[Silver Star Trailhead]].'' |
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=== More Links === | === More Links === | ||
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* [http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151376/silver-star-mountain-skamania.html Brian Jenkin's SummitPost page] | * [http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151376/silver-star-mountain-skamania.html Brian Jenkin's SummitPost page] | ||
* [http://nwhiker.com/GPNFHike50.html NWHiker.com: North loop hike #50] | * [http://nwhiker.com/GPNFHike50.html NWHiker.com: North loop hike #50] | ||
* [http://nwhiker.com/GPNFHike51.html NWHiker.com: South loop hike #51] | * [http://nwhiker.com/GPNFHike51.html NWHiker.com: South loop hike #51] | ||
| − | * [http://adamschneider.net/photos/ | + | * [http://adamschneider.net/photos/2008-07-ssm/ Adam Schneider: wildflower photos] |
| − | * [http:// | + | * [http://washingtonlookouts.weebly.com/silver-star-mountain.html Silver Star Mountain] on Ron Kemnow's Forest Fire Lookout Site |
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=== Page Contributors === | === Page Contributors === | ||
| − | * [[user:jeffstatt]] ( | + | * [[user:jeffstatt]] (creator) |
[[Image:SilverStarArea.jpg|800px]] | [[Image:SilverStarArea.jpg|800px]] | ||
Revision as of 00:41, 2 August 2020
- Hikes to this location:
- Silver Star Mountain Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star Mountain Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star Mountain via Grouse Vista Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star Mountain via Bluff Mountain Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star Mountain via Starway Trail Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star Mountain via Sturgeon Rock Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.74776, -122.23903
- Elevation: 4390 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 peeks on the northeastern horizon looking from Portland, and visible from places 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 viewpoint 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 a leftover 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 of the three; Blue Grouse Trail #180F from the south, the most varied but with the most elevation gain; and the Bluff Mountain Trail from the east, much longer but a lot quieter.
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 fire 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 SW Washington.
Silver Star is a very popular destination among hiking clubs, but it gets passed over by many due to the perception of the difficulty in getting to one of the main trailheads. True, you must traverse miles of forest roads whose conditions are inconsistent from season to season. This author has made the trek on a half dozen occasions with nothing but a low clearance passenger car, and had few problems (had to navigate around some large pot holes in places!) This refers to the Grouse Vista Trailhead, not the rugged Silver Star Trailhead.
More Links
- Brian Jenkin's SummitPost page
- NWHiker.com: North loop hike #50
- NWHiker.com: South loop hike #51
- Adam Schneider: wildflower photos
- Silver Star Mountain on Ron Kemnow's Forest Fire Lookout Site
Page Contributors
- user:jeffstatt (creator)
