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Silver Star
The 4,390-foot summit of Silver Star Mountain is easily visible from much of the Portland and Vancouver area, and visible from my deck.
Over the years, we have put a portion of the ashes from my mother, father and niece on the summit. They will enjoy the location.
Silver Star in the far distance
The views are open and far-reaching on a clear day, including the snow-covered summits of the high Cascade volcanoes.
Deer are often nearby, as are black bears when the huckleberries ripen in the autumn. Less than one mile away are Indian pits used for religious ceremonies in the long past.
I imagine at times the spirits of the Indians and my father sitting around an open campfire telling wild and wooly stories about hunting and other adventures. My mother and niece have joined them. And, one of these days, so will I.
Even though I miss them, they are always close by in my heart.
Each year I return to the summit to honor them. This year I made the trip in early July when the wildflowers were at their peak.
Male Snowberry Checkerspot Butterfly on a Daisy
Silver Star Summit
Huckleberry flower and berry
Heading up the mountain
Oregon Sunshine, Golden Pea and Tiger Lily
Ed’s Trail from summit
Garter Snake, Paintbrush and Mountain Spiraea,
Heading down the mountain
Female Western Sulphur Butterfly
Okay John, how did you get up there? Grouse vista or terrible road or some other route?
You guessed it. I went up early in the morning to Grouse Vista. It was a spectacular, but tough, hike.