Hiking to See Five Cascading Volcanoes in Washington
Located on the boarder between Oregon and Washington State, in Washougal WA, Silver Star Mountain provides breathtaking Pacific Northwest views of the five largest cascading peaks in the area.
Making it to the summit of the hike isn’t the easiest feat but it’s definitely worth the effort. From the top you will be able to see Mt Rainier, Mt St Helens, Mt Adams, Mt Hood and Mt Jefferson.
Time of Year to Visit
We did this in August, however you can hike the trail any time of the year, including snow season.
Spring is wet and cold with lots of snow still on the ground. Come prepared with extra clothing layers and possibly extra socks. Fall can be wet as well, but thankfully no snow.
In general, summer is the best time to visit and be in the outdoors in the Pacific Northwest.
Getting Started
The trailhead is about 40 miles from Portland, Oregon, and takes about an hour total to get there.
After exiting the freeway, you’ll drive for about seven miles on unpaved roads before reaching the trailhead.
There is a small parking lot and outhouse located at the base of the trailhead.
The hike is 6.3 miles out-and-back and the first portion is relatively steep in the beginning, but levels out around the second mile in.
Silver Star Mountain on Google Maps.
Use the Washington Trails Association link HERE for exact directions.
What to Bring
Depending on what time of year you go, stick with long leggings, thick socks, light (or heavy) jackets, hats/glasses and durable hiking shoes.
Even in August we were cold at times however there is more heat and sun exposure as you near the summit.
Listed below are some of my recommended items to consider bringing with you on day hiking trips.
Light backpack or sackpack – The easiest and most convenient bag for carrying light amounts of food, water, cellphones and any extra clothing items while hiking.
Large water bottle: I prefer these Nalgene water bottles simply for their light weight.
While stainless steal cups keep your water cold, these recycled plastic bottles are easier to carry.
Merrell Moab Hiking Shoes: A durable pair that can endure rocks and tough terrain.
Terrain on Silver Star is very rocky, and I noticed tons of small rocks throughout the trail that would move under you on each step. Having shoes meant for rugged terrain is extremely important for safety.
High-quality workout leggings: Stretchy, soft and high quality leggings to take on every hike.
My favorite pair is the lululemon align hi-rise. I’ve had them for almost 5 years and worn them on almost every hike taken since. I only have 2 pairs and they do not disappoint.
Workout Top: A soft and stretchy top to wear under a light jacket. It’s the easiest way to be comfortable when the trail heats up. My favorite Lululemon top has a dupe on Amazon and only $22.
Food to Bring
Snacks for energy: Something small and easy to bring but caloric enough to support your body.
Lunch: Pre-made sandwiches, fruit, packaged snacks, protein bars, trail-mix and beef jerky are all great options. Keep it light since you don’t want to be carrying too much weight. Water should be the heaviest item you’ll have to bring with you.
The Trail
The trail begins on a well-maintained dirt path which then follows a slightly narrow path about a mile in.
At no point did the trail disappear or become difficult to find.
We came across wild berries, ferns, mossy trees, hundreds of wildflowers and one Gartner snake passing by.
Very few hikers were on the trail with us so overall a very quiet and serene hiking experience.
Note that there were multiple changes in the terrain. Anything from rocky gravel to soft muddy mulch.
Making your way further up the mountain, there are a few moments where the trails goes back into the woods and the trees give some nice shade,
The Summit
After about 3 miles of uphill hiking, you are nearing to the end of the summit.
It’s a giant rock that overlooks the five ridges that make the cascading mountains: Mt Rainier, Mt St Helens, Mt Adams, Mt Hood and Mt Jefferson.
Although slightly cloudy for us, we still had an amazing view of everything and spent a decent amount of time at the top overlooking the sights.
Silver Star Mountain has been one of the most beautiful, calming yet challenging hikes for me to date.
Total there and back, we spent about 6 hours on this hike.
Including our lunch time at the top but not including the time it took to drive to the trailhead, which added another 1.5 hours to the day.
We loved this hike and had so much fun being spoiled with amazing views and perfect weather.
If you have done this hike before, I’d love to hear how your experience went!
For more information on hiking in the Pacific Northwest and the best mountains to go to, visit here.
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ashleykatechristian
Hi, I'm Ashley - a California-based travel blogger sharing relaxing itineraries, honest tips, and memorable adventures across the Americas to help you make the most of your PTO.
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