Silver Star Mountain, located in the Yacolt Burn area, is filled with summer wildflowers  and includes panoramic views of the Cascades from the summit.

distance: 6.8 miles (out and back)
elevation gain: 2,040 ft
difficulty: strenuous
best season: summer (typically May – November)
drive time from Portland: 1 hour 30 minutes
parking pass: Discover Pass
hike description: OregonHikers: Silver Star via Grouse Vista hike

Trail Map

The Hike

We started at the Grouse Vista trail for a foggy hike up to Silver Star Mountain. While the Grouse Vista trail is steep, rocky, and viewless for most of the way up, the mid-section traverses a scenic open ridge with wildflower-covered slopes.

Just over two miles in, we dediced to take the side trail to the Indian Pits. We were hoping that if we spent time on this trail first, the fog would clear by the time we reached Silver Star. This side trail sees far less traffic, and in spots it gets fairly brushy and it easy to lose in a few places, especially as you get closer to the Indian Pits. We couldn’t see very far in front of us and lost the trail on the way to the pits, so we turned around to head back towards Silver Star.

The fog started to clear a bit on the way, but there were no views from the summit. Regardless, the bear grass and wildflowers were everywhere, and the fog gave the area a mystical feel, so it was still a good day.

starting out on the trail from the Grouse Vista trailhead

too much of the trail looks like this, rocky and steep

 

On the side trail to the Indian Pits

 

After exploring on the Indian Pits trail, we returned to the main trail and hiked to the top of Silver Star Mountain. There were occasional views as the fog rolled in and out while we had lunch at the top.

 

The fog started to lift as we hiked out and we could see what we missed on the hike in.

 

Wildflowers were in their prime everywhere on this hike.

 

We had views of Pyramid Rock on the hike out.