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Author
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Topic: January 2, 2011 Silver Star GPNF (Read 1054 times)
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rootsman
5Member
Offline
Posts: 95
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Set out for Silver Star Mountain (outside of Yacolt) on Sunday, hopeful that the recent low snow level and cold temps would provide the coverage needed to ski this local gem. We came in from the north side and were able to drive to within a couple of miles of the summer trailhead, a high clearance rig with chains could probably make it the whole way. Though there was snow at a lower elevation than when we went last April, the pack was much thinner and there were large, omnious bare patches at the summer trailhead, which was two feet deep back in April.
Still, having come that far, we decided to head up to the top and see if we could find enough coverage to get some turns. Probably would have been good a couple of days before, but by the time we got on the snow, the relentless gorge winds had stripped the pack down to boilerplate ice anywhere exposed. Extensive prospecting did turn up a few stashes of powder in the trees, but for the most part we leaned harder on the "touring" half of "ski touring". There is some great terrain to ski here, especially in the Washougal River headwaters basin, but it will take another foot or two of snow and a couple more hours of daylight to be able to really tear it up. I am, however, remaining hopeful that the La Nina winter will deliver the low-elevation goods, so stay tuned for more from Silver Star...
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Zap
Member
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Posts: 1619
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Thanks for posting about an area few of us have explored. The last photo has some great terrain.
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Edgesport
Member
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Posts: 198
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Silver Star is in my back yard and I am constantly look up at it. Definitely potential up there. Thanks for checking it out and letting us know.
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"Whether you think you can, or think you can't, your right"
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pabloson
5Member
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Posts: 76
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thanks rootsman! I was about to head up there, but will wait for more snow.
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Koda
Member
Offline
Posts: 221
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Thanks for posting, especially useful is the road/trailhead access. I skied this once years ago and since then attempted it one other time but only to find the road blocked with snow ~4miles from the Grouse Vista trailhead. I too am keeping my fingers crossed La Nina winter will deliver the low elevation snowpack. Not just for Silverstar, but that opens up some great tree skiing stashes on Hood when the avi conditions are unfavorable up higher...
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Logged
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lightweight, cheap, strong... pick 2
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