You have to access the Chinook Trail by starting from the Tarbell Trailhead. The Tarbell trail starts out going through an old clear cut with second growth trees quickly taking over. This is a fairly level trail at first, gently rising as it proceeds through clear-cuts and islands of older trees. Far in the distance you can see the summit of Silver Star Mountain. After walking only a bit you come to a trail Junction that leads to Hidden Falls, Rock Creek, and Grouse Vista. Turn left at this Junction for Silver Star Mountain. Cross to logging roads within the first two miles but the trail is directly across the road so there is no problem finding your way. This section is an actively logged area and there are piles of slash waiting to be burned. What is forest one year may become clear cut the next. This diversity allows hundreds of different kinds of plants in the forest and meadows. For example, I saw white and red Baneberry along the trail. A lot of this trail has been brushed this summer, making it easy to see any rocks in the trail. Climb almost a continuously for about the first two and a half miles then drop down for about ¾ mile to pass across a saddle and start climbing again up to the junction of the Chinook Trail #180B. The junction is at 3.75 miles, about half way up to the summit of Silver Star. Turn left at the junction and head uphill, leaving the Tarbell trail behind and begin crossing hillsides that open up to views around the area. This is part of the old Yacolt burn and the trees still have not totally reclaimed the hillsides. There are a few brushy areas but the trail is mostly clear and there was no deadfall. About 5 miles into the trip, you come to a large x Junction with the trail on the left going to steeply up the hill. Take the narrower trail which is the Chinook Trail and climbs a gentler grade. Don't forget this Junction on your way back so that you can stay on the the trail. Climbing along through the meadows there's dozens, maybe hundreds of butterflies in the summertime. At about mile 4.5 walk through a nice patch of Thimbleberries which ripen in July. You’ll also see a couple bushes of red huckleberries along the trail that ripen in August. Ascend through small patches of forest and mountain meadows full of wildflower in mid-July. Soon you can see Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, along with Mount St. Helens. The path steepens as it uses an old Jeep road for a bit and there are some spots where the alder is starting to block the trail. At 6.1 miles is the junction of the Chinook Trail and Silver Star Trail where you turn right and continue uphill. After by 7.25 miles you get to a three-way junction at the top of a little rise in the trees. The left trail goes up to Silver Star, but if you want water, continue over and downhill a bit and turn right at the next junction and after walking less than a quarter of a mile from the 3-way junction you will see a small little path on the right that leaves the old Jeep Road. This small, fairly level path leads to the spring and some wonderful water flowing out of a rusty pipe. This is flowing nicely this year but in a severe drought can dry up. After replenishing your water supply, head back to the 3-way junction and turn right, passing by a campsite, then turning left at the false summit and following the trail to the old fire lookout and the summit of Silver Star at 4,390 feet. On a clear day you can see all the main volcanic peaks in the area. The columnar basalt of nearby Sturgeon Rock is always an eye-catching sight. On the way back down be sure to turn left where the Chinook Trail 180B branches off the Silver Star Trail because it is unsigned. Enjoy the easy walk down through the open Meadows and patches of forest back to the trailhead. More information, gpx data, and photos are available in the link provided. Steve

We woke up to a wet miserable day so we picked a trail close to my friend's house she had been meaning to check out for it's training possibilities. We are planning a summer trip to Eagle Cap. Tarbell offers miles of trail, even if it's not that beautiful with the sections of logging. Today we didn't care, no views anyway. I was impressed with the great condition of the trail, picnic tables and privy at the TH and clear signage. We wandered in 3.5 miles and then wandered back out. Not sure what is like on a nice weekend but we didn't see anyone the whole time. Hopefully next time we can make it to the falls!

This portion of the Tarbell Trail is from the Tarbell picnic area to Hidden Falls. If you like clearcuts, then this hike is for you. The first 1-2 miles meanders through some recent and not-so-recent clearcuts. In fact, the boundary of the clearcut is the trail in some areas. I was hard pressed to see any signs of replanting which made the hike even more disappointing. This is a shame for at least a couple of reasons: 1) Hidden Falls is spectacular and worth seeing, and 2) DNR should have rerouted the trail away from the clearcuts. I cannot recommend this trail.

Day hike with scout troop from Tarbell picnic area to Hidden Falls and back.Had fog, intermittent snow with rain in the lower elevations. The trail was in great shape and snow covered most of the way in the upper elevation. Several places the snow weighed branches hung down into the trail. We saw several tracks but no wildlife. It was a beautiful hike.

Hiked from Tarbell picnic area to Hidden falls, 5 1/2 miles. Trail wanders through clear cuts, but that allows occasional views of Mt. St. Helens and Rainier. The Oregon iris are in full bloom, loads of them! The waterfall is worth this nice hike. The Larch Mt. Crew was working on the trail and it is in super shape.