Silver Star Trail

Silver Star Trail (#180) is a US Forest Service route in Gifford Pinchot National Forest that climbs gradually from the Silver Star Trailhead to connect with Ed’s Trail (#180A) and several other named trails in the Silver Star area.

The trail follows wildflower-covered slopes and huckleberry thickets on the way up, with multiple junctions reached within about the first 2 miles from the trailhead (including Chinook Trail #180B, Sturgeon Rock Trail #180C, and Bluff Mountain Trail #172).

Soon after the junctions, Silver Star Summit Trail #180D branches off about 0.25 mile to the summit of Silver Star Mountain.

Ed’s Trail (#180A) provides the loop option out of Silver Star Trail (#180) via Forest Road 4109 and includes sections that pass through a natural rock arch; it’s described as primitive and including several rock scrambles.

The route connects into a larger network: for example, Chinook Trail #180B can connect Silver Star Trail #180 with the Tarbell Trail, and Sturgeon Rock Trail #180C forms a connector between the Tarbell Trail and Silver Star Trail #180.

Access is through Forest Road 4109, with the trailhead at the end of that road; the road is noted as very rough, and high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Recreation there is day use (open sunrise to sunset) and motorized use is prohibited on the trail.

For hikers targeting snow-free conditions, higher elevations typically melt out by mid-July; expect possible lingering snow in spots on north-facing slopes, plus hazards like downed trees, washouts, and/or landslides.

Water potable water isn’t available at the trailhead; backcountry creeks/streams may dry out, so plan to carry water accordingly and consider mosquito repellent.

More information: Visitor information, Visitor information, Bluff Mountain Trail to Silver Star Mountain - wanderingyuncks