Mt Defiance Summit

Hiking in Oregon

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Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 12.5 miles / 20 km
Duration: Full day

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Overview: Many consider this hike Oregon's hardest trail, and in fact the Starvation Ridge portion is used to train for the Mt. Hood Summit.

If you take the easier way up you will pass by a few waterfalls before you start a difficult climb to the top.

As you climb this six million year old shield volcano you will find breathtaking views of the Columbia Gorge, Mt. Adams, Mt. St Helens.

While the top is marred by a bunch of communication equipment you will still find one of the best views of Mt Hood.

Tips: To get to the trailhead from Portland drive I-84 east of Cascade Locks 10 miles to the Starvation Creek exit near milepost 54. If you are coming from the west on I-84, you'll have to take the Wyeth exit #51, turn around and drive back east to exit 54.

Make sure you are prepared with LOTS of water. This is a very difficult and steep hike.

The lower portion of the hike is in dense forest and the upper portion has exposure to the sun. So make sure you are prepared for both shade and sun.

Points of Interest

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Parking Lot/Restrooms/ Trailhead

Parking is free and there are nice restrooms here. There is a short side hike to Starvation Falls. To hike up Mt Defiance follow the trail that heads back along the freeway.

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Starvation Ridge

Turn uphill here for Oregon's most difficult trail. For an easier route (yet still difficult) keep going straight.

Continue Straight here for Mt Defiance Trail Photo

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Hole in the Wall Falls

Hole-In-The-Wall Falls is a 100-foot waterfall on Warren Creek in Starvation Creek State Park, Hood River County, Oregon, United States. Its main drop is 60 feet. It was created in 1938 when Warren Creek was diverted through a tunnel (hence its name) to prevent washouts of the Columbia River Highway.

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Lancaster Falls

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Climb Begins

This is where the trail really starts to climb and does not stop until you reach the summit.

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Majestic Views

Gorgeous views into Washington of Mt St Helens and Mt Adams.

Mt Defiance 024.jpg (Home Valley, Washington, United States) Photo

Mt Defiance 025.jpg (Home Valley, Washington, United States) Photo

Mt Defiance 023.jpg (Home Valley, Washington, United States) Photo

Mt Defiance 020.jpg (Home Valley, Washington, United States) Photo

Mt Defiance 019.jpg (Home Valley, Washington, United States) Photo

Mt Defiance 018.jpg (Home Valley, Washington, United States) Photo

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Fork in the Road

This is the point where the Mt Defiance trail meets back up with the Starvation ridge trail.

Turn here to head up to the summit.

Turn right here for Mt Defiance Summit Photo

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Left or Right

The path to the right crosses loose rock, but is a little easier then the path to the left.

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Mt Defiance Summit

You made it to the summit at 4959ft. Enjoy the views of Mt Hood and the ugly communications equipment.

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Warren Lake

There are quite a few spots to pitch a tent around this lake.

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Fork in the Road

If heading down keep to the left for the Starvation Ridge trail. This is a very difficult trail even heading down.

If coming up continue on to the right.