There was a decent amount of snow within a mile of so of the summit today. Microspikes helped, especially on Ed’s Trail!

Seven years later, we went to this trail. Road is improved, no holes, for most part of DNR1100 road is suitable for cars, we even saw Tesla there. The last part of road that goes to parking area before trail has some drainage bumps, which we slowly passed on VW Tiguan 2018 and did not scratch the bottom. Thank you to those who improved the road! We came from NE 312th Ave, Dole Valley road  (very good option) on way to mountain, returned thru Sunset Falls park (less preferred option). Kids saw clouds passing over Ridge, and they tasted huckleberries.  So glad this was safe and enjoyable trip!

Hiked Eds Trail on the way up to Silver Star summit and Silver Star trail on the way down. No issues parking around 12:30 on a Friday. About 8 miles of the drive are on unpaved forest service roads. The first 6 miles of the drive were easily doable on L 1100, the last two on FR 4109 I recommend taking slow -- it can be a bit bumpy. 

This was a lovely trail! Great views of Helens, Adams, Rainier, and Hood on a clear day. There are two spots on Eds Trail where you have to use your hands, but easy to do. Huckleberries were abounding! The elevation gain never felt too strenuous. 

I hiked from the Silver Star trailhead up Eds Trail to the summit and back on the silver Star trail doing the typical clockwise loop.

Thanks to DNR and Forest Service efforts the 4109 Road between L 1100 and the trailhead is the best condition I’ve ever seen it. It’s possible for all vehicles though there are some sharp dips where they’ve installed drainages it’s also rather steep so going slow will help protect the road surface from degradation

Ed’s trail is a bit overgrown in places, and on the steeper side hill sections near the arch and before the rock scramble, the tread is quite narrow and a slip there could lead to a very bad fall.

The Silverstar Trail, which is the former road bed to the summit, is rocky but relatively easy compared to Ed’s trail and doesn’t present the dangers of a fall if you were to slip.

Beautiful day for this hike.  Have hiked Silver star multiple times and explored the vision quest sites and sturgeon rock but first time doing Ed's trail which has been on my bucket list after hearing about the wildflowers on Explore Oregon podcast.

Started from Grouse Vista trailhead at 530 AM.  Road in decent condition.  Bathroom still very dirty.

Trail up to summit straightforward with some wildflowers blooming on the way up.  Views from summit of all 5 volcano peaks.  Still decent bear grass bloom on summit. 

Hiked north to check out Ed's trail.  Fun trail with 2 very short class 2 scrambles and cool little arch that you hike under.  The views of wildflowers with Mt. St Helens in background was spectacular and makes the flower display on the grouse vista trail pale in comparison.  Bear grass past it's prime but mix of yellow flowers, white flowers, lupines, paintbrush. 

Total elevation gain of 3000 ft and 10.2 miles in 4 hours.