Wildflower Hiking Silver Star Mountain (Gifford Pinchot National Forest)

Silver Star Mt. is one of those spectacular sites for summer or fall hikes. Beginning in late June, the wildflowers, with bear grass often taking the lead, smother the ground. By fall, the leaves on the shrubs beginning turining a brilliant red, orange and yellow. The site may also be accessed in winter on snow shoe or cross country skis.

Silver Star Mt. is in the southwest corner of the Gifford Pinchot N.F.. It is one of the most evident extensions of the southern Washington Cascades which are prominent from the Portland-Vancouver area. I suppose it is debatable whether it should be considered part of the Columbia River Gorge, but it is the high point of the ridges at the northwest corner of the Gorge and so is included here.

At 4400 feet in elevation, the mountain has a near 360 degree view all around of the western Columbia River Gorge as well as views of the 4 prominent Cascade volcanoes which are seen from its peak: Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood.

Early in its history, the mountain was fairly heavily grazed by both cattle and horses. The area around the mountain saw was fairly heavily mined during the earyly 1900s. In addition, 4 forest fires heavily impacted the area between 1902 and 1929, charring around 450, 000 acres. The lower slopes have recovered from the fires, but the immediate upper slopes surrounding the mountain still have not been successfully revegetated by conifers, perhaps due to the harsh winter conditions found there.

Over 200 species of plants are found around Silver Star Mt.. The dominant conifers include Douglas fir, Pacific silver fir, noble fir, and western red cedar. Prominent meadow flowers include Oregon flag, beargrass, cat's ear mariposa lily, glacier and avalanche lilies, American bistort, both Nuttall's and rockslide larkspur, 3 species of Spiraea, serviceberry, western hedysarum, Gray's lovage, spreading phlox, elegant sky-pilot, harsh and common paintbrush orange Agoseris, Cascade aster, Oregon sunshine, and long-beaked hawkweed.

Common rockery plants include thread-leaved sandwort, Columbia Lewisia, smooth alumroot, tufted saxifrage, cliff penstemonand parsley fern.

In the forests, one may see Trillium, fairy bells, Oregon windflower and windflower, vanilla leaf, pinesap, and pathfinder plant.

June 3, 2016: Silver Star Mountain via the Chinook Trail #808 (DNR lands and Gifford Pinchot National Forest)

July 15, 2014: Silver Star Mountain from the north side (Gifford Pinchot National Forest) - Note: The road from the north was atrocious for all but the highest clearance AWD and 4WD vehicles in 2022. Expect that road to to get even worse in the future. There are no current plans to permanently fix the road!

July 11, 2013: Silver Star Mountain from the north side (Gifford Pinchot National Forest)

August 6, 2011: Silver Star Mountain from the north side (Gifford Pinchot National Forest)

July 19, 2008: Silver Star Mountain from the north side (Gifford Pinchot National Forest)

July 7 & 14, 2002: Silver Star Mountain from the north side (Gifford Pinchot National Forest)

Due to logging and washouts from spring rains, it is probably best to contact the Gifford Pinchot N.F. office in Vancouver,WA for directions and current road conditions. Note: Currently (2024), Forest Road 4109 which approaches the Silver Star north trailhead is in horrible shape. Consider instead either hiking the Chinook and Tarbell Trails from the west or the Grouse Vista Trail fro the south.

From the south, access Silver Star Mt. from Washougal, WA by heading north on State Rd. 140, then on the road which parallels the West Fork of the Washougal River and then eventually heads into the upper reaches of Rock Creek (sorry, I haven't approached from this direction before so I don't have current road names!). Several old access roads lead north to the summit of Silver Star Mt.. Both are gated so one must hike. The northern most gate from this side is across from the Grouse Vista Picnic Site (DNR) and proceeds to the north side of Pyramid Rock before heading due north.

From the north, access to Silver Star Mt. is via State Road 503 to the north of Battleground, WA. Turn right (east) onto the East Fork Lewis River Rd (County Rd 12). Continue east about 7-8 miles until you reach a "T" intersection. At this point, turn right and continue along County Rd 12. The left turn heads north towards Yacolt, WA, and eventually towards Mt. St. Helens. Continue along county Rd. 12 about 2 miles to the next intersection (the road south crosses the East Fork Lewis River and heads for the community of Dole. At this intersection, there are 2 ways to head for the northern trailheads.

Via the first, head south towards Dole. After a mile or so, the road takes a broad turn to the left (east). As it veers right (south) again, take the forest road which heads east (sorry, I don't know the current number yet). This heads towards Tarbell Camp (DNR). Someplace in this vicinity is a trailhead which takes you upslope towards Silver Star Mt.. Or continue east on the forest road until it reaches Forest Rd #4109. At this intersection, take a right and continue uphill on a progressively rougher road. Large, low slung passenger cars may have difficulty passing upwards on this road, and they will definitely bottom out with full loads on the wayback down. The road continues for about 2 miles to the trailhead. The trail south to Silver Star Mt. is on a blocked off service road. The tread is good, wildflowers numerous, and the views back to the north are fabulous.

The second access road via the north side of Silver Star Mt. is reached by continuing east along the East Fork Lewis River Rd to Sunset Campground. Stop here for a potty break. Immediately past the campground, turn south onto Forest Rd 41. This road winds uphill through recently logged lands for about a mile or so. Upon reaching FS Rd 4109, turn right and descend down the hill crossing Copper Cr. Continue uphill, reaching the intersection with the unnamed road from the previous paragraph, heading uphill for a couple miles to the trailhead. Note: Road 41 is often poorly maintained and may be difficult for most passenger vehicles to drive (2022).

FS Rd 41 continues uphill to the east to scenic vistas at Lookout Mt. and Mowich Butte before heading downhill and eastward to Wind River, WA.. Please be aware though that most of FS Rd 41 is in terrible shape, especialy for low-slung vehicles. The going will be slow as one tries to dodge huge potholes and brush encroaching from the roadside. The road will only be improved prior to timber sales along that route. FS Rd 502 is a small side road off of FS Rd 41 which leads to a separate trailhead which approaches Silver Star Mt. from the east. This trail passes the northwest face of Bluff Mt then traverses Little Baldy before climbing the ridge to the east of Silver Star Mt.

Silver Star Mountain: OregonHikers.org - Contains descriptions of the major trails on Silver Star Mountain and their trailheads.

The photo at left shows ome of the flower-filled slopes that line the access road along the northern flanks of Silver Star Mt......July 9, 2008. The photo at right shows a view of Silver Star Mt, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Rainier. The ridgeline on the lower right sports a relatively new trail which connects to FS Rd 502, a side road off FS Rd 41......July 4, 1991.