Silver Star North Trailhead
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- 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
- No fee at this trailhead
Driving Directions
There are two approaches to this trailhead. The Dole Valley Road option takes you 6.75 miles on a very good gravel road (L1100), avoiding "pothole alley" above Sunset Campground, so it's generally much better; however, the locals say it may be periodically closed until about July, so do know the Sunset Campground directions — just in case. 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. Check on current conditions before planning a hike.
Both options finish with 2.6 miles on Forest Road 4109, which is rutted and rough, with deep potholes and trenches, and getting worse every year. It may no longer be passable for passenger cars; high clearance is STRONGLY recommended.
Driving Directions via Dole Valley Rd/L1100 Rd
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 the well-signed intersection of highways 502 and 503 in Battle Ground. 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 this road for just 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 uphill 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 the better road. Follow it for 6.75 miles. |
| 5 | about 25.3 | Turn right on Road 4109. The number may be spray-painted on a tree at the junction. Follow this very rocky, very rutted road 2.6 miles to the trailhead. A high clearance vehicle with 4WD/AWD is required. |
| 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.
Driving Directions via Sunset Campground
- Also see the better alternative above. However, this approach road via Sunset Campground is open when not blocked by snow in winter - unlike the Dole Valley Rd. option, 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. The last three miles are especially difficult in a standard passenger car.
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 the well-signed intersection of highways 502 and 503 in Battle Ground. 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 an unmarked 4-way junction, still on Road 4109. At this point a high clearance vehicle is required. |
| 6 | 29.5 | Silver Star Trailhead. |