Another Silver Star Post- Now With Print ID Quiz

[anne37]

Quick and dirty hike up Silver Star today to check out conditions. Expansive clear-cutting has made the approach to Grouse even less pleasant than before but at least the potholes are minimal. I'd say the trail is in the awkward in-between stage right now. There's a lot of soft, manageable snow in the trees and not a wildflower in sight. Saw some prints that I think might be my first cougar tracks, maybe someone can confirm for me (below). Too big to be a bobcat, I think, and too splayed out to be a dog. Hung out alone at the top a while, looking at the bottoms of mountains under the approaching rainclouds. Goat Rocks are still solid white with snow. Admired the trail to Little Baldy a bit. Took the opportunity to trail run down, but my legs were a little trashed from a busy weekend. 1.5 hrs to the top, 54 mins down. Rain started to hit the windshield just as I reached the car. Still a good hike but will be better next month.

[Roy]

Did you come from Washougal.

Not much spring showing from Grouse vista its the ugly way the Tarbell loop is nice tho.

[anne37]

I come up from Portland via Washougal, never been the other ways. I'm thinking in a month or two I'll put together a trip from the Bluff Mountain TH and also check out Ed's Trail finally. Some of Grouse is ugly, but I like the traverse across the talus slope. Kind of feels like a "real" mountain back there!

[anne37]

Looks like a two-hour drive to the Bluff Mtn trailhead, and a nasty road. Is that about right?

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/bluff-mountain

[Roy]

I come up from Portland via Washougal, never been the other ways. I'm thinking in a month or two I'll put together a trip from the Bluff Mountain TH and also check out Ed's Trail finally. Some of Grouse is ugly, but I like the traverse across the talus slope. Kind of feels like a "real" mountain back there!

Even if I was coming from PDX I would go this way

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/45.7055 ... !1m0?hl=en

[Roy]

Looks like a two-hour drive to the Bluff Mtn trailhead, and a nasty road. Is that about right?

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/bluff-mountain

Never drove over there always hiked over and back from Silver star.

[forestkeeper]

Nice photos! Your shoes are pretty aggressive. What are they? Are they pretty comfy?

[Roy]

my better half would like that wind breaker unique color

[Hagbard Celine]

Nice photos! Your shoes are pretty aggressive. What are they? Are they pretty comfy?

The shoes are Salomon Speedcross 3's, I have the blue/black ones myself and they are an amazing shoe and there are a dozen or more color schemes on a very cool design. They also have one's waterproofed and insulated but I haven't tried a pair of those yet. Have not yet seen a shoe or boot with better trail traction.

[forestkeeper]

All cool, thanks! I'm always slipping, sliding and away when I'm on the trails. Especially coming down the "Heartbreak" Ridge trail at Smith Rock State Park near Redmond. After looking like the Trojan Horse on the rolling pebbles, I thought I'd better invest in some of the logger boots with spikes.