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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.

Summit of Silver Star Mountain
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 tribal 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, as were the butterflies.
A tough hike, but always fulfilling.

Trail heading up the mountain (Noble Firs are beginning to grow back after the severe wildfire in 1902)

The Columbia River visible from the summit, over 4,000′ below

A hazy Mt. Adams from the summit

Bear-grass lining the trail leading down from summit block

Hikers on the lower summit

Hiker approaching the summit
What a beautiful and sacred place. Thank you for sharing this.
John,
Thank you for your visual shareing of a very sacreat place & time in your life & mine.
God Bless & Endless Blessings
Ed Lyon