Silver Star Mountain - Ed's Trail
There are two routes up the north side of Silver Star Mountain that in good conditions can be combined to form a sort of loop. Along the way, hikers will be delighted with a diverse array of wildflowers, a natural arch, volcanic views and fine hiking. Spring brings colorful wildflower displays, but also crowds, especially on the weekends. Fall colors are another popular attraction. The best months to hike are May through November.
Ed's Trail is the more scenic and more rugged of the two paths up Silver Star, which can be hiked in a sort of loop. A popular way to visit the summit is to ascend on Ed's Trail and return via the Silver Star Trail. With rocky outcrops and a natural rock archway and meadows that burst with wildflowers in the spring, this trail highlights the high country that inspired the late Ed Robertson who co-founded the Chinook Trail Association. The trail was completed in 1996 by volunteers as part of the proposed Chinook Trail, a bi-state route that encircles the rim of the Columbia River Gorge. Start on the Silver Star Trail (180) - an old road grade that climbs fairly steeply out of the parking area. Ed's Trail is a 1.5 mile segment, but is part of a popular 5 mile hike to the Silver Star Summit, when joined with other trails in the area. From the Silver Star Trailhead, hike south for about 1 mile and stay right to begin Ed's Trail (180A), which climbs the east side of the ridge. Ed's Trail (180A) is a foot path that takes a slightly less steep route and follows along the east side of the ridge, while the Silver Star Trail traverses the west side of the ridge. The two trails meet again about 1/4 mile from the summit at the junction with the Bluff Mt. Trail. There is a short steep section on Ed's trail that requires a bit of scrambling where a slip could be very dangerous. Avoid this route when wet or icy. From the junction, continue uphill on the Silver Star Trail for another 1/4 mile and head left up a rocky road bed - the Silver Star Summit Trail (#180D). On a clear day, the views from the summit are sublime - Mounts Hood, Rainier and St. Helens, as well as the forested hills of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Yacolt Burn State Forest. On the return you can retrace your route or stay on the west side of the ridge on the Silver Star Trail (#180) to get back to the trailhead. You can also keep hiking from here. Several trails meet near the Silver Star summit. Hikers can follow the Chinook Trail to the Kloochman Butte Trail (#180B) to the west or the Bluff Mountain Trail (#172) to the east.
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Silver Star Mountain, Silver Star Mountain - Ed's Trail
— Apr 16, 2013
— evhendy14
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail | Road to trailhead inaccessible
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I drove most of the way in the dark and reached sunset campground around sunrise. The road to the tr...
I drove most of the way in the dark and reached sunset campground around sunrise. The road to the trailhead was snowed out about a half mile from the trail head so I backed out and parked on a landing less than a mile from the trailhead. I hadn't brought snowshoes so I wasn't sure what to expect, but the snow was still frozen and the crust was thick enough to at least partially support my weight. There were bear tracks in the snow leading up to the trailhead that appeared to be a few days old. It was a clear morning and the views north were great. There was snow the whole way with varying depths but the hiking was surprisingly easy. I made it up to the trail junction and a tremendous view of Starway Canyon in the early morning shade.There was no trail sign for Ed's trail that I saw, but I followed a small path to the left to get up to a rocky plateau and great views of Adams, St. Helen's, and Rainier. I followed the road uphill to the left and attempted to follow this road all the way up to the first false summit. I climbed up the steep north face to get pictures of Sturgeon Rock and Silver Star, but decided to try for the summit another day since the forgiving ice crust was melting and I was starting to sink deeper into the snow. I made my way back the same way, fighting a strong wind on the way down from the false summit. This area looks like a great place for back country skiing, as Silver Star has multiple peaks, cliffs, and chutes. I'm planning a back country trip for a clear day in December or January, but I would also like to hike this when the snow melts.
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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I took Forest Service road 4109 up to the Silver Start trailhead, which was definitely a rough road,...
I took Forest Service road 4109 up to the Silver Start trailhead, which was definitely a rough road, but not as terrible as I was expecting based on the other trip reports. Given, I was driving a truck, but there were Sedans parked in the parking lot, so it is doable in a regular car, you just have to take it slow.
I started this hike from the trail that starts from the trailhead left of the parking lot. The trail is split in two, but they both come together in about 1/2 mile, so it doesnt matter which one you take. About a mile from the parking lot is a sign indicating that you are on Ed's trail. The views and the wildflowers are incredible the whole way. As other trip reports mention, along the hike you'll walk through and arch and then get to a rock scramble. The trail continues around, showing off views of Hood, Adams, St, Helens, and in the distance, Rainier, and more wildflowers than you can imagine. I reached the junction with Bluff Mountain and Silver Start trail and decided to go the 1/4 mile to Silver Star summit. From the Summit you have views of Vancouver and Portland and the Willamette Valley, as can see hikers coming in from Bluff Mountain Trail. I took Silver Star trail back down, which is mostly a rocky old road bed. I took the Chinook Trail a little ways before heading back to the parking lot. On the drive home, I tried taking L1100 instead of 4190. L1100 is currently used as a logging road, so is in much better condition than 4190 or 41. From the parking lot, take 4190 2.5 miles until it connects with L100, where you will turn left to get onto L1100. From there, drive 6.6 miles until you reach pavement, where you will turn right. From here drive 2.3 miles until you reach Sunset Falls Road. Turn Left on Sunset Falls Road, and then you will drive 2.0 miles and turn left once you have passed Moulton Falls County Park. This way still has you driving on 4109 for a little ways, but cuts out most of the bumpiness. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Water on trail | Bugs
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We did silver star via pyramid and sturgeon rocks. It's 8.3miles rt. Elev gain 2200. The rd to th i...
We did silver star via pyramid and sturgeon rocks. It's 8.3miles rt. Elev gain 2200. The rd to th is actually in great shape(current logging).
Wildflowers! This hike is awesome, views of Adams,Hood,Rainer and st Helene. No snow and trail is clear. Trail is rocky, with some water on trail, but this is a must do hike.
Silver Star Mountain - Ed's Trail, Silver Star Mountain
— Oct 17, 2011
— el tigre
Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
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just a postcard-perfect Indian summer day to hike this little known gem. It's a rough road to the tr...
just a postcard-perfect Indian summer day to hike this little known gem. It's a rough road to the trailhead - I would not bring a regular car here - but well worth the trip. Because of the 100 year old burn here, the views start at the trailhead and don't stop. Within 1/2 mile you're staring at Mt St Helens, Mt Rainier, Mt Adams, and Mt Hood. The hillsides were simply ablaze in yellow and red. Four weeks ago there would have been plenty of ripe huckleberries.
Me and the kids (2 and 4 years old) and the dog hiked up a little over 1 mile, to the junction with Chinook Trail, before turning around. Lots of wonderful stopping places, rocks to play on, no exposed cliffs on the main trail though Ed's trail has a few steep-looking drop offs. I cannot imagine a nicer 'easy' hike for a beautiful fall day! Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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***Lost cell phone***
We dropped our Blackberry Bold that has a rubber case on the trail. We think...
***Lost cell phone***
We dropped our Blackberry Bold that has a rubber case on the trail. We think we were on Ed's trail when we did it. We stopped to get our binoculars out and we think that's when it happened. We had taken Ed's Trail up, had done the rocky scramble and gone around the corner and were about 100 yards from heading into a forested area. If you find this phone, please contact me paula122801@aim.com As for the trip itself, the road in was very rough, with lots of potholes. You definitely need a higher vehicle like an SUV to get in there. Directions were a bit hard to follow and spots were lacking signs, but we finally found the trail-head. There are two trails starting from the parking lot, which I didn't see anyone mention in the trip reports. You can take either one as they both end up converging about a mile up. The trail on the left has more flowers and seemed shorter/steeper, whereas the trail on the right was still steep, but maybe a bit less steep and seemed longer. Once you get up to the spot where you can take Ed's trail, we took that (there is a sign) to the left and walked through endless beautiful flowers! We saw the arch and then did the rocky scramble, which put us at a nice rocky overlook to stop for pictures. Then we proceeded around the bend through scattered pine trees. This is where we stopped and I think dropped our cell phone. Then we proceeded into the forested area where we saw some remaining bear grass. Once out of the trees, we converged with the Silver Star Trail and took a left to proceed the remaining 1/4 mile to the summit. There are actually two summits, one to the left and one to the right. Both are worth visiting, but the one on the left has the canister for leaving notes, etc. We sat long enough to enjoy a granola bar and visit with some other hikers and then began our trek down Silver Star Mountain trail. The trail is mostly an old road with lots of rocks, but easily walked through. All-in-all, this hike had more wildflowers than I've ever seen and I would highly recommend it! No bugs, no snow, no mud, no blowdowns.....no problems at all with the trail. (except could use some better signs!) It was kinda cloudy yesterday, so we didn't get to see the volcanoes, but the flowers held our attention plenty! And the views were still grand! But please note that you should take more than one set of directions!!! We had printed out three different directions from various sites and we used all three! |
 Beargrass and views of Mount Adams. Photo by Susan Saul.
2010
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