Information obtained from Oregon Hikers (https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Silver_Star_Mountain_via_Grouse_Vista_Hike)

Silver Star Mountain is one of the best 360 degree summits within a day's drive of Portland, boasting a rocky, exposed viewpoint of five major cascade volcanoes. It is also a great wildflower area in the spring, and huckleberries abound in the fall.

The Grouse Vista Trail option, from the south, is a little longer and more elevation gain than Silver Star from the north, but the Grouse Vista Trail road is easier. The Bluff Mountain trail is somewhat longer. The Grouse Vista trail is also the option with the most diverse terrain—alternating between exposure and shade, passing by large geologic formations, and keeping most of panoramic views available from the Silver Star summit under wraps until the final approach. The hike can probably be divided in three sections: 1) Steep and forested, 2) Exposed and flat, then 3) Very steep and in-and-out of the trees. Each section is just about a mile long.

Activity Notes

Here's our fifth hike of BCEP!  Now that we have basically ironed in the technical climbing skills into you by this point (and yes, we will continue to hammer them in every weekend until you graduate), we can begin focusing on some other new skills.  I plan to introduce you to navigation basics.  We will go more in-depth into navigation the following weekend alongside our outdoor climbing session at Horsethief Butte.

Please bring your compasses with the adjustable declination and a paper copy of the map.  We will set them up if you don't know how.  Obviously bring your required climbing gear so you can also continue to practice rappelling and fixed line travel, etc.

Other Information
Driving Distance from Portland 70 miles
Driving Time from Portland 1 hours
Distance - Round Trip 6 miles
Expected Duration Car to car in one day
Relevant Maps CG-C
Awards Qualified Awesome Ridges Award
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