Bluff Mountain Tr172 to Starway Tr175 Hiking
Overall: 6
Aerobic: 6
Technical: 5
Steepness: 6
Flow: 7
Singletrack: 80%
Although the current trail condition and accessibility make Bluff Mt Tr172 and Starway Tr175 unsuitable for biking, Bluff Mt Tr172 is a challenging OAB hike on eastern Silver Star ridgelines, connecting to the Silver Star Tr180 trail system.
Type
Loop
Length
Avg: 14mi
Ascent
Moderate
Elevation Change
TH:1600'
Avg Ascent:4100'
Ascent Incline
8%
Duration
Avg: 3hr
Weather
Forecast
NOAA
popup
USFS
Ding: FR4100 is a very rough road and can take 2hrs to reach the Bluff Mt Tr172 TH. In general, the area roads and trails appear abandoned by the forest service.
Starting from the upper Starway Tr175 TH, all the climbing is on FR4100, so although there is substantial elevation gain it is a relatively moderate hike.
The loop can be extended by adding Chinook Tr180B, Tarbell, Sturgeon Rock Tr180C and Silver Star Tr180.
Silver Star Area Trails
At the edge of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, this system of trails has four main trailheads, at Tarbell, Silver Star,Bluff Mt and Grouse Creek Vista.
Near Vancouver, the Silver Star area trails are popular with hikers, bikers and equestrians. As a result, the trails get a lot of use and receive good maintenance. There is enough terrain variety and trail length to create decent weekend destination rides, but not the kind of epic rides found further into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
The Silver Star TH makes a good shuttle point as well.
Nearby Indian Pit Tr180E offers some archaeological scenery as well.
Nearby Bells Mt is a good trail for those seeking easier terrain, but good shuttle opportunities on the other trails creates opportunities for advanced beginners.
Directions: From Battle Ground, go on Lucia Falls Park Rd to Moulton Falls, then go right onto NE Sunset Falls Rd to the Sunset CG. Go right at the Y intersection, onto FR4100 and go 8.9mi to the Bluff Mt TH. Note: FR4100 is currently a rough 4WD road. View Larger Map. No Map?.
Loop Directions
bluffin'
- TH: Ascend 5mi (2100') on FR4100, to the Bluff Mt Tr172 TH, an easy climb but would also make a good shuttle option.
- 4.9mi: Go right onto Bluff Mt Tr172 and hike 1.5mi along the ridge to Howie Point, then work the undulating ridgeline past Bluff Mountain and Little Baldy, to the Starway Tr175 TH.
- 9.9mi: Go right on Starway Tr175, continuing the ridgeline ride, followed by a steep 1.5mi switchback descent to an abandoned forest road.
- 12.8mi: Go left on the forest road, to the FR4100 TH.
Trail Index
This Hike
Bluff Mountain Trail 172, Starway Trail 175
Area
Area Hiking
East Fork Trail 139, Summit Springs Trail 173
Campgrounds
Cold Creek Campground, Doughgob Camground, Fourth of July Campground, Rock Creek Campground, Sunset Campground
Trail Rankings
Ranking consistently applied to all of the listed trails.
- Overall Rating: Ride quality and challenge
- Aerobic: Ascent challenge
- Technical Difficulty: Terrain challenge
- Steepness: Average incline
- Flow: Uninterrupted riding
- Elevation Change: Total elevation gain
- Ride Difficulty: Terrain challenge
