Silver Star Mountain - Ed's Trail

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, an old road grade that climbs fairly steeply out of the parking area. Ed's Trail is a 1.5 mile segment of the 5-mile loop you can do to the summit of Silver Star Mountain and back. Hike south for about 1 mile and stay right to begin Ed's Trail 180A, which follows the east side of the ridge.

At first the way is easy enough to follow, though the tread is narrow on a steep slope. Those uncomfortable on exposed slopes may want to have trekking poles for added stability. Pass through a charming (and fascinating rock arch) and shortly afterwards begins the most challenging section of this trail. 

A little more than a mile from the beginning of Ed's Trail and just past the rock arch is a short section of trail that is overgrown with bad footing and requires scrambling to navigate. Its on a very steep slope, so a slip could be very dangerous. Avoid this route when wet or icy, and even in good weather be confident in your ability to navigate unstable terrain.

A very short rock scramble requiring three points of contact at the end of this section delivers you to an overlook with view of Mounts Adams and St. Helens! Sit here and recharge before continuing on. It's 0.3 miles to the junction with the Silver Star trail.

Once you get to the junction, continue uphill on the Silver Star Trail for another quarter-mile and head left up a rocky road bed. This is the Silver Star Summit Trail. 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 to get back to the trailhead. You can also keep hiking from here. Several trails meet near the Silver Star summit. Hikers can head to Bluff Mountain Trail to the east, or as you backtrack back to the trailhead, detour on to the Chinook Trail to Kloochman Butte, though this will require significant elevation gain to return to your vehicle later.