Silver Star Indian Pits
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes to this location:
- Silver Star South Ridge Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.73725, -122.23637
- Elevation: 3970 feet
Description
Located in a scree field on a southern ridge of Silver Star Mountain, the "Indian Pits" are three- to five-foot deep depressions made by moving and rearranging the local rocks. There are at least a dozen of these rock pits. It is believed that Native American peoples created these pits. The generally accepted theory is that they were religious sites, where young men would go in search of a vision quest. Other possible purposes include food storage and hiding holes for hunters. The panoramic view here rivals the view from the summit of Silver Star Mountain itself.
They can be accessed via a one mile hike on the Indian Pit Trail #180E, which begins south of the Silver Star summit where the old Sturgeon Rock Trail comes in. The route takes you through huge patches of huckleberries which ripen in September. A alternative route drops steeply from Silver Star 2 to join the Indian Pits Trail.
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- Stevefromdodge (creator)