I loved this hike when I did it last summer and it was just as enjoyable this time too. For being 12 miles, it's not a horribly difficult hike, due in large part to the fact that the only distinctly steep sections are the ascent up to Silver Star and the first part of the section between Bluff Mountain and the trail head on the way back. The road to the trail head is terrible, no getting around that. However, I think FR 41 is in better shape than FR 4109, so it's a nice drive than getting to the shorter Silver Star Trail. I'd recommend at least something with some clearance and AWD/4WD is a plus. However, I have seen people get cars up there, so just drive slow. Some sections of the trail are in good condition, while others have issues. The worst sections are from where the road bed ends to the wooded area before Little Baldy and then from the west side of Little Baldy up to the Silver Star summit trail (180D). The Bluff Mountain section is quite overgrown and some parts of the steep, rocky trail are literally falling apart. Both of these are problematic because of how narrow this section of the trail is. With thick brush growing over the trail from one side and a steep drop on the other and random spots falling apart it gets to be kind of a pain. The section between Little Baldy and the Silver Star trail is mostly just overgrown. In some places you can't see the trail and there's one spot in particular where the trail almost looks like it dead ends. There were tons of wildflowers and huckleberries along most of the trail, as well as some interesting wildlife. There are pikas in the rocky slope along Bluff Mountain. They're adorable and sound like a squeaky dog toy. I'm pretty sure I also saw a mountain goat in the same area on my way back. It was perched high above the trail. I didn't realize we had mountain goats around here, unless it was just a very lost regular goat. Anyway, this is a great hike. I plan to do it again next summer.

We went up with the intention of spending the night on Silver Star, that was not meant to be. There was about 6 inches of snow on the top and it was very warm. The snow was melting into slush rapidly and under the trees where there was less snow it was falling in huge clumps off of the branches. Overall the trip was wonderful and there was well over a dozen people on the trail during the day. The road is getting worse all of the time. I was up there in December and January, it is worse now that it was then. Soon it will be 4wd required just to get to Silver Star trailhead. This road needs a lot of attention.

Forest Road 41 is blocked to vehicles at the 6.5 mile mark, and when I say blocked I mean permanently impassible. There are boulders across the road that appear to have been there for years. There IS a camp spot just to the left on the river bank where you could pitch a tent, should that suit you. And a tent you'll need, as the trail head is a further 8.5 miles from here. A bike might be a good choice as well, just to speed up the hike in. I didn't think to bring one, so my adventure ended here, but you can bet next time I'll arrive with tent AND bike.

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is analyzing their road system to determine which of their "primitive" gravel roads are important to maintain and which to let go or possibly convert to trails. (Public comments accepted through Dec. 2014 - See: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/giffordpinchot/landmanagement/?cid=STELPRDB5388890) So I went out exploring with a friend to see some old road segments in the Silver Star Area. We also visited a section of the Bluff Mt. trail that WTA volunteers are going to work on next weekend (June 28/29 - Join the work party: http://vols.wta.org/web/web.pl?sm+21501+ON The Indian Paintbrush are in full bloom along with many, many other flowers. The views were incredible even with the mist and clouds blowing through. But the brushy trail was like walking through a car wash after the heavy rains came through. And the tread is getting rough where frequent rock slides wash across the trail in the first 3rd mile.

I first noticed this trail a few years ago when I hiked the Starway Trail. It looked like it stayed up high and would be an easy hike with big views. Then, just a couple of weeks ago I hiked up Silver Star via Ed's Trail. I again noticed what looked like a fun and dynamic hike with steep side-hill, which is always my favorite. For this hike, I drove up the 41 road way past the 4109 (where you would find the Silver Star Trail-head). I drove up 41 until I reached a big flat turn out. I parked here and looked around. Other than amazing views of the the Volcano's you will instantly notice bullet shells and the "ghosts of parties past". Can't say I blame them, it's a beautiful spot. If you feel like camping but don't like campgrounds, there are a few really nice spots just 1/4 mile into the trail. The first 1.5-2.o miles of this hike is old road bed. It is easy to follow and it keeps you up high. It drops down to the actual trail after about 2 miles. The actual trail section is very brushy but easy to follow. It drops down a bit further via switchbacks before it climbs back up. This hike is cool because you can always see where you are heading. You can see the trail heading up and over a saddle, you can see it clinging to side-hill going through scree fields. Of course, you can watch it crawl all the way up to Silver Star. Silver Star is the one that looks like a horse's saddle. The higher peak is the one on the right. The trail is easy to follow and not very steep until you get toward the end. Even toward the end it isn't very difficult. The real difficulty comes from being tired by the time you get there, not enough water, or not enough food. I went up with 3 dogs and 5 humans. We all made it out and back safely, but 2 out of 3 of the dogs were limping for a couple of days. Likely due to the rough, porous rock grating their paws. Though, one of the dogs backpacked another 20 miles with me over the next two days (see Quartz Creek). We had one human who felt very ill after. She gave her water to the dogs (even though there are creeks), and didn't eat before or bring food. She wore heavy Carhardt pants and a black shirt. It was also much hotter than predicted and there is very little shade. So, just some things to consider before you go out. I like this trail, I would recommend it, and I would hike it again.