Silver Star North Trailhead
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Driving distance from Portland: 1.5 hours
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.76656, -122.24174
- Elevation: 3440 feet
- Driving time from Portland: 1.5 hours
Contents |
Hikes starting here
- Silver Star Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Silver Star Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
Fees and Regulations
- None
Driving Directions via Sunset Campground
- Also see the better alternative below. However, this approach road via Sunset Campground is open when not blocked by snow in winter - unlike alternative via Dole Valley Rd. which gets periodically closed for logging, etc.
Warning: the last 8 miles is on a rough road with potholes, boulders, stream channels, and washboarding. You could get a flat tire, break an axle, or other damage. Especially the last three miles is really difficult in a standard passenger car. 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.
Go North on I-5 from Vancouver, take exit 11, and take highway 502 5.8 miles to Battle Ground, or take I-205 and then highway 503 from Vancouver to Battle Ground.
| Step | Odometer Reading | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0 | Reset Odometer at well-signed 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 | 14.2 | Turn right on Sunset Falls Road. There's a sign saying "Sunset C. G.". |
| 4 | 21.9 | Turn right on Road 41 which goes through Sunset Campground, over the East Fork Lewis River, and then goes left. |
| 5 | 25.3 | Turn right on Road 4109. |
| 5 | about 26.6 | Turn left at unmarked 4-way junction, still on Road 4109. |
| 6 | 29.5 | Silver Star Trailhead. |
Driving Directions via Dole Valley Rd/L1100 Rd
This option avoids "pothole alley" above Sunset Campground so it's much better. The locals say it's periodically closed until about July, so do know the directions described above, via Sunset Campground - just in case. Once off paved Dole Valley Rd, it's 6.75 miles on very good gravel road (L1100), but after that the last 2.6 miles on Rd 4109 (same as the last stretch in the 1st directions) which is very rutted and is really difficult in a standard passenger car. There's a requirement for Discover Pass on Rd. L1100 (which passes DNR land) but it's not needed on Rd. 4109 or the trailhead, so if you don't stop on L1100 you're probably okay.
Go North on I-5 from Vancouver, take exit 11, and take highway 502 5.8 miles to Battle Ground, or take I-205 and then highway 503 from Vancouver to Battle Ground.
| Step | Odometer Reading | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0 | Reset Odometer at well-signed 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. Follow it 8.6 miles. |
| 3 | 14.2 | Turn right on Sunset Falls Road. There's a sign saying "Sunset C. G.". (follow it for 2 miles) |
| 4 | 16.2 | Turn right on Dole Valley Rd (or one that becomes it), over the East Fork Lewis River, and follow this paved road up hill 2.4 miles. |
| 5 | 18.6 | Turn left on gravel road L1100. Ignore a couple of right turns (esp. after 2.2 miles) and then a couple on the left and just stay on better road. (follow it for 6.75 miles) |
| 5 | about 25.3 | Turn right on Road 4109. The number was spray-painted on a tree at the junction. Follow this rocky, very rutted road 2.6 miles to the trailhead. |
| 6 | about 27.9 | Silver Star Trailhead. |
- Link to a map with a downloadable GPX track of the road, via Dole Valley Rd. The track is from SR 503/Rock Creek Rd junction, to the trailhead.