Trail #175 Starway

Area Status: Open

Following old road beds and cat trails in some areas, this 3.6 mile trail is best described as a primitive route. Carry a good map and expect some route-finding challenges.

Park at the gate at the trailhead and follow the old roadbed beyond. The road is closed to motorized traffic and is now used as a hiking trail. In the early 1900s the upper Copper Creek drainage was an area of active mineral exploration. From the trailhead, descend to Copper Creek where a bridge spans the stream. Cross the bridge and turn upstream. 0.25 mile past the bridge, the Starway Trail leaves the old roadbed and starts climbing along a cat road to the west. The trail follows the cat road steeply upward eventually reaching the ridge crest above where the road ends. The trail, better described as a route since no tread is visible, continues along the ridge southward for 2 miles, passing over a 3,977 foot point, dropping to a saddle, then ascending to intersect Bluff Mountain Trail #172 just east of Silver Star Mountain. A trail tread becomes intermittently visible near the south end of the ridge before the trail intersection.

Alert: This trail is difficult to find and follow once it leaves Copper Creek. Carry a good map and expect some route-finding challenges. This is a trail that should only be attempted by persons with good route finding skills and confidence in cross-country travel.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	03/19/2024: Starway Trail is open.
Closest Towns:	Amboy, WA
Operated By:	Forest Service
Information Center:	Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Administrative Headquarters (360) 449-7800

General Information

Directions:

From Vancouver, Washington, take 503 north to Battleground. Continue north on 503 (NE Lewisville Hwy) for 5.6 miles. Turn right (east) onto NE 152 Ave./Rock Creek Road. Continue as the road curves south then east and becomes Lucia Falls Road. After 8.6 miles, turn right on Sunset Falls Road. Go 7.3 miles on Sunset Falls Road to Sunset Campground. Turn right and cross the East Fork Lewis River on Forest Road 41. Follow Forest Road 41. The trailhead is one mile east of the Forest Road 41 and Forest Road 4109 intersection.

Activities

Day Hiking

See activity description under Backpacking.

Backpacking

The trailhead is located along Forest Road 41, 1 mile east of the 4109 intersection. Park at the gate and follow the old roadbed beyond. The road is closed to motorized traffic and is now used as a trail. In the early 1900s the upper Copper Creek drainage was an area of active mineral exploration. From the trailhead, descend to Copper Creek where a bridge spans the stream. Cross the bridge and turn upstream. 0.25 mile past the bridge, the Starway Trail leaves the old roadbed and starts climbing along a cat road to the west. The trail follows the cat road steeply upward eventually reaching the ridge crest above where the road ends. The trail, better described as a route since no tread is visible, continues along the ridge southward for 2 miles, passing over point 3977, dropping to a saddle, then ascending to intersect Bluff Mountain Trail 172 just east of Silver Star Mountain. A trail tread becomes intermittently visible near the south end of the ridge before the trail intersection. Special Conditions: This trail is difficult to find and follow once it leaves Copper Creek. Carry a good map and expect some route-finding challenges. This is a trail that should only be attempted by persons with good route finding skills and confidence in cross-country travel.