Silver Star Mountain via Grouse Vista Trail

Be prepared to encounter some snow, even in early summer. Poles are helpful on this journey, as well. Users have reported that the road leading to the trailhead is very difficult to pass in winter conditions. NOTE: A Discovery Pass and $12 parking fee are required to park. To access the trail take the trail, opposite the welcome sign. Silver Star mountain is one of Southern Washington's most exciting summits with views to nearly every local cascade peak. This trail takes the "moderate" way up coming from the South with nearly twice the elevation gain of the traditional route but still much shorter than some of the extended loops. At over 4,000' in elevation, Silver Star Mountain gives views unreviled by nearly anything else in the Columbia River Gorge save perhaps for Larch Mountain's summit. The hike to the top can be made a number of different ways -- all starting considerably high up the mountain via dirt access roads. The Grouse Vista trailhead is located on the south side of the mountain outside of Washington's Washougal and takes just over an hour to reach from downtown Portland. This trail takes a slightly longer (6.0 vs 5.4 R/T) course than the typical route and adds another 800+ feet of elevation gain through it. The result is smaller crowds (though certainly not empty) and many up-close features as you pass under and then behind Pyramid Rock on the way up.