This is a great loop hike with a waterfall, open meadows, a rock arch, scenic vista's and a great summit view. In all I think it was around 12 miles. I set out to see how some of the views would be affected by the BPA proposal to put high transmission lines through a new corridor just west of Silver Star Mountain. Although you would see the lines along the section of the Tarbell Trail that I did, they would be very present in the views from the Kloochman Butte, Silver Star mt. and Grouse Vista trails. I started at the Grouse Vista Trailhead and took the Tarbell Trail (DNR) for about 5 miles to Hidden Falls. Along the way you pass through a new clear-cut which is a stark contrast to the lush forest at the falls. Then I continued on to the jct of with the Kloochman Butte Trail which is also part of the Chinook Trail system. The Kloochman Butte Trail climbs through some very pretty meadows to the north ridge of Silver Star Mountain. If you stay straight at the junction wit the Silver Star Mt. Trail, you'll end up on Ed's Trail just before the memorial to the visionary trail builder and co-founder of the Chinook Trail Association. I followed Ed's Trail south through some patches of snow, up the rocky scramble and to the jct with the Bluff Mt. Trail. From there it is a little tricky since there are a couple of confusing intersections. I continued south past the jct for the Indian Pits spur (180E) and went on to the Grouse Vista Trail. The Grouse Vista Trail is really an old road so it is very rocky were it has been eroded. Where the trail traverses across the ridge it is not bad, but the steeper rocky sections are not very fun. I almost slipped on looks rocks covered by wet leaves several times. Just south west of Pyramid Rock I wandered off trail about 100 yards to the grassy ridge top to look out to the east and got a great view of Mt. Hood! The fall colors were really nice although I missed their peak by a couple weeks I think. Along the way I met some deer hunters on Ed's Trail, I was glad to have my orange vest on!

We had an excellent trip with Friends of the Gorge (despite some confusion with the car caravan). Be sure you take a map with you and be ready for some rough roads with large water bars. Low clearance vehicles will have to go very slow and may bottom out. I found a great map at this DNR website: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/eng_rms_tarbell_06_full.pdf You can also use the DNR map to navigate on a smoother gravel road. Take Dole Valley Road south and get on L1100 which intersects 4109. Then you are on the gnarly 4109 for about 1/2 the distance and the usual driving route. Don't try this without a good map or you'll get lost on the maze of DNR logging roads. Once on the trail, all the troubles with cars and bumpy roads were forgotten, replaced with incredible vistas, snowcapped peaks and an incredible display of wildflowers. He hiked up Ed's Trail on the way up (180A) and returned on the Silver Star Trail (180). I prefer going up on Ed's trail as the rocky scramble is easier going up, than coming down. The Silver Star Trail is actually an old road grade and its surface is rocky. Hiking poles are nice to keep your feet under you as some of the rocks are about the size and shape of baseballs. We departed the Trailhead around noon and finished up about 4:00 pm, taking our time to check out the flowers and pose for pictures at the rock arch.

 Splendid day for a hike with friends.

Multi-volcano views and wildflowers. And if you really looked, you could see downtown Portland. The trail was in great shape.  The road was doable for us all.

An incredible hike I'd been meaning to try for some time. The drive up (FR 4109) was an adventure, a very bumpy and rocky road with numerous potholes that may give low-clearance vehicles a challenge. Right from the start, the fall foliage was spectacular - the vine maples along the trail were a riot of colors, reds and oranges and yellows. Unfortunately, I picked a very windy day. East winds were gusting 30-40 mph most of the hike, and on the exposed ridgeline that makes up much of Ed's Trail, that made for some discomfort. I had a hooded sweatshirt cinched tightly, which helped. The air temperature was no warmer than 50. On the plus side, this meant very few people hiking - I encountered maybe half a dozen total the entire trip. The trail itself was in fine condition, though the switchbacks just past the natural rock arch were muddy and required some careful climbing. The panoramic view was spectacular despite the presence of some high- and mid-level clouds that obscured several of the peaks. Mount Hood was visible and brilliant.

The beargrass bloom is exceptional this year on Silver Star. I do this hike every year around the first of July because of the outstanding wildflower displays. Some years, paintbrush steals the show. This year it is beargrass. The weather yesterday was incredible: temperature in the 70s with a light breeze and views of all the big volcanoes from Rainier to Jefferson. We went up Ed's Trail and returned on Silver Star Trail, with lunch at the former lookout site on the summit. I counted about 40 species of wildflowers in bloom, with more species still in bud. The start of the trail at the end of Road 4109 needs some brushing and Ed's Trail some sketchy tread in places, but overall the trails are in good condition. The Silver Star Trail, formerly a road, is restoring itself nicely now that ATV access has been blocked by large boulders around the trailhead parking area. I do recommend using the driving approach via Dole Valley Road and DNR Road L-1100 to the intersection with Forest Road 4109 rather than driving to Sunset Falls and taking Forest Road 41. The mudholes on Road 41 are big enough to swallow a passenger car while DNR is actively maintaining Road L-1100 (it was being graded yesterday when we went up). Road 4109 has numerous drain dips beyond the intersection with Road L-1100 so high clearance vehicles (Subaru Forester/Outback or higher) are recommended. Despite the rough roads, I estimate there were 100 people hiking on the mountain yesterday, including two large organized groups, so don't expect solitude if you go.