On Saturday, April 30th, my friend Chris and I packed up our gear and the dogs and headed out to snowshoe to the top of 4390' Silver Star Mountain
The road to the trailhead was almost entirely clear of snow. Even vehicles with low clearance made it there. There we were met by the largest group of people I have ever seen there. I think they were a group of Mazamas. And I thought that the snow would thin out the crowds.
We all headed up the Grouse Vista Trail. The very start of the trail was clear of snow, which then gave way to patches of snow that could be walked on with just our boots. Soon there came a point where snowshoes were necessary. If we had not strapped our snowshoes on, we would have been "postholing" up to our waist. We broke the trail most of the rest of the way to the top. Many of the snow drifts we had to cross were 45+ degree angles.
Just before reaching the top of Silver Star Mt., we ran into Portland Hiker's own Don Nelson and a friend Jamie. Portland Hiker is a popular website for hikers in thePortland
We all headed up the Grouse Vista Trail. The very start of the trail was clear of snow, which then gave way to patches of snow that could be walked on with just our boots. Soon there came a point where snowshoes were necessary. If we had not strapped our snowshoes on, we would have been "postholing" up to our waist. We broke the trail most of the rest of the way to the top. Many of the snow drifts we had to cross were 45+ degree angles.
Just before reaching the top of Silver Star Mt., we ran into Portland Hiker's own Don Nelson and a friend Jamie. Portland Hiker is a popular website for hikers in the
Sturgeon Rock is a rock formation 207' lower than Silver Star Mt. with a difficult-in-summer goat trail to the top. I've been to the peak of Sturgeon Rock
After summiting Silver Star Mt., we decided to take the loop back on the Tarbell Trail. Rather than backtracking a bit to get to the Tarbell Cutoff, we took a shortcut off trail through the woods. We both know that area well, so there was no danger in getting lost. In three directions are trails, while the other direction is Sturgeon Rock. Plus Chris has a GPS.
After summiting Silver Star Mt., we decided to take the loop back on the Tarbell Trail. Rather than backtracking a bit to get to the Tarbell Cutoff, we took a shortcut off trail through the woods. We both know that area well, so there was no danger in getting lost. In three directions are trails, while the other direction is Sturgeon Rock. Plus Chris has a GPS.
Let me tell you, going downhill in the snow is much easier than going uphill. We soon ran into the large group of Mazamas, who had the good fortune of following in the tracks we had just broken.
Even though snowshoeing is much more difficult than hiking, there is something to be said for getting some strenuous exercise. The sense of accomplishment garnered from doing something very few people have done is amazing.
Even though snowshoeing is much more difficult than hiking, there is something to be said for getting some strenuous exercise. The sense of accomplishment garnered from doing something very few people have done is amazing.
In all the trip was 8.3 miles round trip with a total elevation gain of over 1700'. Next up...?
Enjoy,
Brad
Link to 4/30/11 Silver Star Pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54959080@N ... 493635041/
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Link to Brad's Flickr photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54959080@N05/sets/
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