Trail #180 Silver Star
This 5-mile trail gradually ascends to an old roadbed, passing just west of Silver Star Mountain.
From the Silver Star Trailhead, the trail heads south. After passing through wildflower covered slopes and huckleberry thickets, the trail intersects Ed's Trail #180A. Chinook Trail #180B, Sturgeon Rock Trail #180C, and Bluff Mountain Trail #172 are all reached in less than 2 miles from the trailhead. Just beyond the Bluff Mountain Trail, Silver Star Summit Trail #180D leads 0.25 mile to the summit of Silver Star Mountain.
Pyramid Rock Trail #180F branches from the Silver Star Trail south of Silver Star Mountain before descending to the trailhead at Department of Natural Resources Road W-1200.
Ed's Trail #180A is a hiker-only trail that offers a loop opportunity from Silver Star Trail #180 accessed via Silver Star Trailhead on Forest Road 4109. Part of the trail passes through a natural rock arch. The trail is primitive and includes several rock scrambles.
Chinook Trail Association dedicated this trail to Ed Robertson, co-founder of the Chinook Trail Association. This trail was built and is maintained by the Chinook Trail Association. This trail features views of Star Creek Canyon. The view from the top includes Mounts Hood, Adams, St. Helens, Rainier, and on a clear day you can also see Mt. Jefferson.
Connecting Silver Star Trail #180 with the Tarbell Trail (a Department of Natural Resources trail), Chinook Trail #180B was built and is maintained by the Chinook Trail Association. Wildflowers, huckleberries and beargrass blanket the surrounding hillside.
The 1.4-mile Sturgeon Rock Trail #180C forms a connector between the Tarbell Trail and Silver Star Trail #180. The trail leaves the Silver Star Trail 1.9 miles from the trailhead on Forest Road 4109. It drops down the ridge to a saddle east of Sturgeon Rock, then to an old roadbed to the south. The trail descends the ridge to where it intersects the Tarbell Trail, 1.4 miles below the Silver Star Trail. By turning south on the Tarbell Trail, the Grouse Vista Trailhead can be reached after 2 miles.
The 2.5-mile Pyramid Rock Trail #180F leaves Silver Star Trail #180 about 2.5 miles from the Silver Star Trailhead on Forest Road 4109. It descends gradually, following an old roadbed for 2.1 miles to its intersection with the Tarbell Trail at the Grouse Vista Trailhead. The upper portions of the trail cross open slopes and provide excellent views of the surrounding mountain.
See Silver Star Area Trails map
Also visit Department of Natural Resources Yacolt Burn State Forest to see a map of the non-motorized trails in the area.
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
General Information
Low elevation trails typically melt out by mid-May. High elevation trails typically melt out by mid-July. Snow may persist in spots on north facing slopes. There may be downed trees, washouts, and/or landslides on trails. Carrying mosquito repellent is advisable. Backcountry creeks and streams may dry out so plan ahead in case you need to bring in water. Recreating in burned areas poses greater risks. See safety tips for burned areas. Please assist in reporting wildfires by calling 911 or Columbia Dispatch at (360) 891-5140. Sign up for emergency alerts by county.
Summer - Fall
Motorized use prohibited.
Getting There
Directions
North: Silver Star Trailhead - The road to this trailhead is very rough.
Grouse Vista Trailhead (South): From Vancouver Washington take Highway 14 east to the town of Washougal. At milepost 16 turn left on Washougal River Road. At just under seven miles on Washougal River Road turn left onto NE Hughes Road. Stay on this obvious main road for 3.2 miles (It will become NE 392nd then NE 28th then NE Miller Road, then NE 39th without you making any turns) then turn left on NE 412th, also called Skamania Mines Road. Shortly you will come to a fork, stay right to stay on Skamania Mines Road. After 2.8 miles turn left onto DNR road 1200 for 5.7 miles as it turns increasingly rough to end at the trailhead. Most cars will do fine on this road, although you may have to go slow through some rough patches.
(This trailhead requires a Washington Discover Pass - not available on-site)
Additional Information
Operated By
Forest Service
