Portland: Silver Star Mountain
Climb through alpine meadows bursting with flowers to a puzzling Native American relic on this 6.6-mile out-and-back. Bonus: Stellar views of five volcanoes.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 5.4
Waypoints
SSM001
Location: 45.7725486755371, -122.244277954102
From W end of lot, follow path as it curves S; great trailhead views
SSM002
Location: 45.7687454223633, -122.243072509766
Stay straight where path connects with Silver Star Trail, an old roadbed that once served a lookout tower on Silver Star Mtn.
SSM003
Location: 45.7676315307617, -122.242546081543
Bear L @ 3-way onto Ed’s Trail through grassy meadows; yellow woolly sunfl owers and Indian paintbrush create colorful patchwork
SSM004
Location: 45.762020111084, -122.243934631348
Veer R @ Y for brief descent to roadbed; deer graze in surrounding meadows (a former forestland ravaged by the 1902 Yacolt fire)
SSM005
Location: 45.7622261047363, -122.245864868164
Turn L @ 4-way onto Silver Star Trail; views of Vancouver, Portland to W
SSM006
Location: 45.7571563720703, -122.243705749512
Catch 3-volcano view of Mts. Rainier, St. Helens, Adams. Raptors ride thermals above ridge; continue S into forest
SSM007
Location: 45.7498817443848, -122.242401123047
Stay straight @ 4-way; steep climb ahead
SSM008
Location: 45.7483100891113, -122.242134094238
Go L @ Y for summit; more stellar views
SSM009
Location: 45.7477912902832, -122.238929748535
Silver Star Mtn.: Five ridges form its star-shaped peak. On clear days, count 5 volcanoes (Rainier, Adams, St. Helens, Hood, Jefferson). Return to WPT 8; turn L
SSM010
Location: 45.746208190918, -122.241638183594
Turn L @ Y onto Indian Pit Trail
SSM011
Location: 45.7372016906738, -122.23649597168
Indian pits: These holes in the talus ridge remain a mystery. Were they trenches for hunting or food caches? No one knows. Tread lightly; don’t touch. Retrace steps
