I love Silver Star in all seasons and this hike didn't disappoint.
We didn't encounter any significant ice patches until about two miles in. The patches were often on steep sections and the trail became increasingly more icy and snowy as we moved towards the summit, but we had no problems with microspikes on. On top it was very windy and cold. Beautiful views of St Helens, Adams (mostly hidden by clouds), Hood, and Jefferson.
After coming down, we took a detour to Rock Creek Falls on the Tarbell Trail (turn off towards Hidden Falls), which was very easy-going and gave us a 10-mile-ish day.
At the Grouse Vista trailhead there is relatively clean pit toilet (tp has been restocked).
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