Silver Star - March 22, 2015

There's a mystique to Silver Star Mountain. Maybe it's the isolation - although it's the highest peak (4,393 feet) close to Portland on the Washington side of the Columbia and clearly visible from most of the city, there isn't an easy way to get to the trailhead. All routes involve circuitous paths on forest service roads requiring a high clearance vehicle. If you take a wrong turn, you'll end up at the Larch Correctional Facility. And there are the Indian Pits, a Native American archaeological site near the summit (click here for more info).

Pyramid Rock from near the summit of Silver Star

Whenever I've planned to do this hike, it's consistently aligned with inclement weather. The Sunday in March we decided to go was no exception. Our hardy group left Portland after breakfast at Gravy on Mississippi and headed up I-5 into Washington, and then east to Battle Ground. After navigating the back roads along the Lewis River and missing a few turns, we arrived at the trailhead off Forest Road #1200. From there the hike involved an 8.3 mile loop and 2,015 in elevation. Another route on the north side is also popular, although doesn't involve as much distance.

Looking up to the summit of Silver Star

It was still mostly dry as we started hiking the first few miles of flat terrain. After crossing Rock Creek, the path became much steeper, especially after joining an old haul road once used to ferry supplies to a now defunct fire lookout on the summit. We slogged rapidly upward as the rain began to fall with increased intensity. We passed an unmarked spur to Sturgeon Rock (the high point of Clark County) and continued another mile or so to the Silver Star summit. The top was completely socked in, offering a few fleeting glimpses of Pyramid Rock to the south and absolutely no view of the Cascade giants to the north, east and south (Rainier, St. Helens, Adams, and Hood). As the rain and wind continued, we made a quick exit from the summit's exposed alpine environment and descended back into the woods, finding shelter by what looked to be a camp site.

After a brief snack and whiskey break, we descended down the rocky trail to the car, passing through areas torched by the historic Yacolt Burn of 1902. Within moments of reaching the trailhead, the rain dialed up a notch. Despite the absence of a view, it was still an interesting hike and a fun day with a great team.  

Here's a link to more pics from the hike.