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Difference between revisions of "Starvation Creek Waterfalls Hike"

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

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[[Category:Columbia River Gorge]]
 
[[Category:Columbia River Gorge]]
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[[Category:State Parks]]
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[[Category:Waterfall Hikes]]
 
[[Category:Easy Hikes]]
 
[[Category:Easy Hikes]]
 
[[Category:Hikes]]
 
[[Category:Hikes]]
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[[Image:LancasterFalls3.JPG|thumb|300px|Lancaster Falls ''(Steve Hart)'']]
 
[[Image:LancasterFalls3.JPG|thumb|300px|Lancaster Falls ''(Steve Hart)'']]
 
[[Image:HoleintheWallFalls1.JPG|thumb|188px|Hole in the Wall Falls ''(Steve Hart)'']]
 
[[Image:HoleintheWallFalls1.JPG|thumb|188px|Hole in the Wall Falls ''(Steve Hart)'']]
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[[Image:Arabis.jpg|thumb|188px|Cascade rock cress (''Arabis furcata'') along the trail ''(cfm)'']]
  
 
{{Start point|Starvation Creek Trailhead}}  
 
{{Start point|Starvation Creek Trailhead}}  
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=== Hike Description ===
 
=== Hike Description ===
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<b><font color=red>NOTICE: Most trails on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge are closed until further notice because of damage from the Eagle Creek Fire. The closure involves ALL trails between Rooster Rock State Park and Hood River. It is anticipated that most of these trails may not reopen until Spring or Summer 2018. Please check the list of [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/crgnsa/recreation  Columbia Gorge trail closures] before you plan for a hike.</font color></b>
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There are four waterfalls near the [[Starvation Creek Trailhead|Starvation Creek Rest Area]]. [[Starvation Creek Falls]] is easily reached by a short trail right at the rest area. The other three waterfalls are all accessible from the lower reaches of the Mount Defiance Trail.
 
There are four waterfalls near the [[Starvation Creek Trailhead|Starvation Creek Rest Area]]. [[Starvation Creek Falls]] is easily reached by a short trail right at the rest area. The other three waterfalls are all accessible from the lower reaches of the Mount Defiance Trail.
  
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The trail starts right on the shoulder of I-84, but in a short way it leaves the freeway for an old, unrestored section on the original Columbia River Highway. There's a junction with the [[Mount Defiance-Starvation Cutoff Trail Junction|Starvation Cutoff Trail]], which provides a bit of a shortcut to Starvation Ridge. The first waterfall [[Cabin Creek Falls]] is just passed this trail junction. There's a huge fallen basalt boulder here, that creates an almost hidden amphitheater. The waterfall sprays directly into this hidden area.
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The trail starts right on the restored section on the original Historic Columbia River Highway. There's a junction with the [[Mount Defiance-Starvation Cutoff Trail Junction|Starvation Cutoff Trail]], which provides a bit of a shortcut to Starvation Ridge. The first waterfall [[Cabin Creek Falls]] is just past this trail junction. There's a huge fallen basalt boulder here, that creates an almost hidden amphitheater. The waterfall sprays directly into this hidden area.
  
 
Continuing on, the Mount Defiance Trail leaves the old highway and comes to [[Hole in the Wall Falls]]. This waterfall is an unusual manmade affair. Highway crews drilled a tunnel through the rock and diverted Warren Creek here in the 1930s. The water emerges from the tunnel and immediately falls, creating the waterfall. Hikers looking for a little more historical interest can follow the old creek bed a bit to the original location of Warren Creek falls, now dry.
 
Continuing on, the Mount Defiance Trail leaves the old highway and comes to [[Hole in the Wall Falls]]. This waterfall is an unusual manmade affair. Highway crews drilled a tunnel through the rock and diverted Warren Creek here in the 1930s. The water emerges from the tunnel and immediately falls, creating the waterfall. Hikers looking for a little more historical interest can follow the old creek bed a bit to the original location of Warren Creek falls, now dry.
  
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From here, the trail begins a modest climb, gaining about 200 feet in elevation. There's another trail junction, this time with the [[Mount Defiance-Starvation Ridge Trail Junction|Starvation Ridge Trail]]. Soon the trail reaches the lower tier of [[Lancaster Falls]]. The waterfall seems small at first glance, but from the right angle, the large upper tier is visible through the trees.
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From here, the trail begins a modest climb, gaining about 200 feet in elevation. There's another trail junction, this time with the [[Mount Defiance-Starvation Ridge Trail Junction|Starvation Ridge Trail]]. Stay to the right. Soon the trail reaches the lower tier of [[Lancaster Falls]]. The waterfall seems small at first glance, but from the right angle, the large upper tier is visible through the trees.
  
 
=== Maps ===
 
=== Maps ===
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* None
  
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{{TripReports|{{PAGENAME}}}}
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{{TripReports|Lancaster Falls}}
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* (Click [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/AddPost.aspx?ForumID=8 here] to add your own)
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{{RelatedDiscussions|{{PAGENAME}}}}
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{{RelatedDiscussions|Lancaster Falls}}
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* (Click [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/AddPost.aspx?ForumID=141 here] to ask a question or start a conversation)
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=== Guidebooks that cover this hike ===
 
=== Guidebooks that cover this hike ===

Revision as of 16:03, 26 September 2017

Lancaster Falls (Steve Hart)
Hole in the Wall Falls (Steve Hart)
Cascade rock cress (Arabis furcata) along the trail (cfm)

Contents

Hike Description

NOTICE: Most trails on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge are closed until further notice because of damage from the Eagle Creek Fire. The closure involves ALL trails between Rooster Rock State Park and Hood River. It is anticipated that most of these trails may not reopen until Spring or Summer 2018. Please check the list of Columbia Gorge trail closures before you plan for a hike.

There are four waterfalls near the Starvation Creek Rest Area. Starvation Creek Falls is easily reached by a short trail right at the rest area. The other three waterfalls are all accessible from the lower reaches of the Mount Defiance Trail.

The trail starts right on the restored section on the original Historic Columbia River Highway. There's a junction with the Starvation Cutoff Trail, which provides a bit of a shortcut to Starvation Ridge. The first waterfall Cabin Creek Falls is just past this trail junction. There's a huge fallen basalt boulder here, that creates an almost hidden amphitheater. The waterfall sprays directly into this hidden area.

Continuing on, the Mount Defiance Trail leaves the old highway and comes to Hole in the Wall Falls. This waterfall is an unusual manmade affair. Highway crews drilled a tunnel through the rock and diverted Warren Creek here in the 1930s. The water emerges from the tunnel and immediately falls, creating the waterfall. Hikers looking for a little more historical interest can follow the old creek bed a bit to the original location of Warren Creek falls, now dry.

From here, the trail begins a modest climb, gaining about 200 feet in elevation. There's another trail junction, this time with the Starvation Ridge Trail. Stay to the right. Soon the trail reaches the lower tier of Lancaster Falls. The waterfall seems small at first glance, but from the right angle, the large upper tier is visible through the trees.

Maps

Regulations or restrictions, etc

  • None

Trip Reports

Related Discussions / Q&A

Guidebooks that cover this hike

More Links

Contributors

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Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. You should cross-check against other references before planning a hike. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. Please contact us if you notice errors on this page.

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