Tarbell Trail
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Overall: 7
Aerobic: 6
Technical: 7
Steepness: 6
Flow: 7
Singletrack: 99%
The Yacolt Burn State Forest Tarbell Trail ties into the Silver Star Tr180 trail system at the edge of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near the Moulton Falls State Park.
Type
Loop
Length
Avg: 21mi
Ascent
Moderate
Elevation Change
TH:1900'
Avg Ascent:4600'
Ascent Incline
9%
Duration
Avg: 5hr
Weather
Forecast
NOAA
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Silver Star Area Trails
At the edge of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, this system of trails has three main trailheads, at Tarbell, Silver Star 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 north in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
The easily accessible trail segments are very popular with equestrians and so can become unrideable, especially during the Spring and Fall.
Due to this trail damage, the Larch Mt and Rock Creek sections are at time difficult to ride, with an alternative of a Tarbell to Grouse Vista OAB or Figure 8.
The Cold Creek chapter of the Evergreen Alliance has built some freeride terrain on Thrillium and Cold Creek, and holds event and work parties to support the trail system.
The Thrillium and Cold Creek are intended to be downhill routes, using L1000N and Murphy's Grade for ascent to the upper TH.
TH parking is alongside L1000N and L1300 (to the Cold Creek CG), on one side of the road. CG parking is by permit only.
Avoid the multiuser sections of the trail in wet weather or be coated in 'mud'.
A very popular 20mi Tarbell CCW (5200' ascent) lollipop loop consists of riding to the Grouse Vista TH, ascending Pyramid Rock Tr180F to Silver Star Tr180, returning to Tarbell on Chinook Tr180B.
Nearby Bells Mt is a good trail for those seeking easier terrain, but good shuttle opportunities on the other trails creates options for advanced beginners.
The 2mi Pyramid Rock Tr180F climbs 1460', a 14% grade which many riders will not be able to climb.
Use of Sturgeon Rock Tr180C shortens the ride but the 1.2mi 1000' climb is an equally tough 15% grade.
Consider riding Indian Pit Tr180E OAB while on Silver Star Tr180.
Directions: From Battle Ground, go on Lucia Falls Park Rd to Moulton Falls, then to Sunset Falls Rd. Go right onto Sunset Falls and go 2.1mi to Dole Valley Rd. Go right onto Dole Valley and go 2.2mi to "Tarbell Picnic Area" sign. Go 3mi on L1100 (gravel road) to L1100C intersection, then go right to the parking area. Check out the sign which describes the hermit (Tarbell) who lived there. Go on L1100C a hundred yards to reach the TH. View Larger Map. No Map?.
Loop Directions
long way round
- TH: Start this CW Loop by climbing 2mi to Squaw and Kloochman Butte, then descend to the Coyote Creek Falls. The climb includes crossing three gravel roads.
- 4.9mi: Cross the creek and begin 1000' switchback climb to Sturgeon Rock summit. Bail out point: In the first switchback, there is a jeep trail which leads to L1210.
- 7mi: At the Sturgeon Rock summit, pass the Sturgeon Rock Tr180C intersection, then begin 500' descent to Rock Creek Falls. Cross Rock Creek and continue on to the Grouse Creek Vista TH. Bail out point: At the Sturgeon Rock summit, there is a jeep trail which leads to L1210.
- 9.9mi: At the Grouse Creek Vista TH, cross SR1200 and begin the 2.2mi, 1000' ascent of Larch Mountain.
- 12.2mi: From Larch Mt, begin the descent with a technical boulder and talus section, including some slick trail moss. Then descend alongside Cold Creek, crossing several wooden bridges before reaching L1000.
- 16.7mi: Merge with L1000 for .3mi, then take a right. Ride to Rock Creek Campground TH.
- 18mi: Go through campground to the Tarbell trail at the northeast side of the campground.
- 19.4mi: The first of two gravel road crossings. If you need to bail out of this section of trail due to trail damage, go right to L1210 and then go left/north 1.6mi to the Tarbell TH.
Trail Index
This Ride
Chinook Trail 180B, Larch Mountain Trail, Pyramid Rock Trail 180F, Silver Star Trail 180, Tarbell Trail
Area
Campgrounds
Cold Creek 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
