Difference between revisions of "Starvation Creek Waterfalls Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | + | This hike is the easiest way to see four [[Columbia River Gorge]] waterfalls from the [[Starvation Creek Trailhead]]. The other, perhaps more scenic option is the [[Lower Starvation Loop Hike]], which offers high views and wildflowers, but also steep inclines and a lot of poison oak! On this hike, you will be sticking mostly to the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, with a short spur off of it up to [[Lancaster Falls]]. You can hike the historic highway as far as [[Lindsey Creek]]; construction continues in 2018, however, to push the paved trail west to Wyeth. | |
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| + | Your first waterfall will be [[Starvation Creek Falls]]. In the parking area, you’ll see a plaque commemorating the beginning of construction on the Columbia River Highway in 1912. As noted on a smaller plaque above, this information was once posted about two miles west at [[Shellrock Mountain (Columbia Gorge)|Shellrock Mountain]], but was moved here because of new highway construction. The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail heads east above the restrooms. Below the restrooms is a shady picnic area circled by a paved loop trail that uses a footbridge over Starvation Creek. A junction for the Waterfall Picnic Area, you’ll see an interpretive sign telling about a train that got stranded in a snow bank here in December 1884. Passengers were trapped for three weeks, but Gorge residents helped out by skiing in with supplies. Although nobody died, this incident gave the creek and waterfall their current names. Hike up to the small picnic area and a view of 190-foot, two-tiered [[Starvation Creek Falls]]. The lower tier is partially obscured by a huge boulder that peeled off from the cliffs above. A user trail crosses the creek and heads up for a closer look, but you won’t really get a better sighting than the picnic area offers. | ||
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| + | Return to the [[Starvation Creek Trailhead]], and begin hiking west next to the freeway on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Get views to the the twin microdioritic intrusions of [[Shellrock Mountain (Columbia Gorge)|Shellrock Mountain]] and [[Wind Mountain]] as well as [[Dog Mountain]] right across the river. Enter shady maple woods, and pass the [[Historic Columbia River Highway-Starvation Cutoff Trail Junction]]. In spring, candy flower blooms profusely alongside the paved surface. Reach [[Cabin Creek Falls]], where a huge fallen basalt boulder creates an almost hidden amphitheater. The waterfall sprays directly into this hidden area. A scramble trail leads up to a rock overhang and the base of the falls. | ||
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| + | The Historic Columbia River Highway heads back out to the freeway under a Douglas-fir/big-leaf maple canopy. At an open area, arrive at the [[Historic Columbia River Highway-Mount Defiance Trail Junction]] You'll be turning off here to head the short distance up to [[Lancaster Falls]], but first keep going | ||
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. | 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. | ||
Revision as of 19:14, 26 May 2018
- Start point: Starvation Creek Trailhead
- End point:Lancaster Falls
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and back with spurs
- Distance: 4.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 145 feet
- High point: 285 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
This hike is the easiest way to see four Columbia River Gorge waterfalls from the Starvation Creek Trailhead. The other, perhaps more scenic option is the Lower Starvation Loop Hike, which offers high views and wildflowers, but also steep inclines and a lot of poison oak! On this hike, you will be sticking mostly to the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, with a short spur off of it up to Lancaster Falls. You can hike the historic highway as far as Lindsey Creek; construction continues in 2018, however, to push the paved trail west to Wyeth.
Your first waterfall will be Starvation Creek Falls. In the parking area, you’ll see a plaque commemorating the beginning of construction on the Columbia River Highway in 1912. As noted on a smaller plaque above, this information was once posted about two miles west at Shellrock Mountain, but was moved here because of new highway construction. The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail heads east above the restrooms. Below the restrooms is a shady picnic area circled by a paved loop trail that uses a footbridge over Starvation Creek. A junction for the Waterfall Picnic Area, you’ll see an interpretive sign telling about a train that got stranded in a snow bank here in December 1884. Passengers were trapped for three weeks, but Gorge residents helped out by skiing in with supplies. Although nobody died, this incident gave the creek and waterfall their current names. Hike up to the small picnic area and a view of 190-foot, two-tiered Starvation Creek Falls. The lower tier is partially obscured by a huge boulder that peeled off from the cliffs above. A user trail crosses the creek and heads up for a closer look, but you won’t really get a better sighting than the picnic area offers.
Return to the Starvation Creek Trailhead, and begin hiking west next to the freeway on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Get views to the the twin microdioritic intrusions of Shellrock Mountain and Wind Mountain as well as Dog Mountain right across the river. Enter shady maple woods, and pass the Historic Columbia River Highway-Starvation Cutoff Trail Junction. In spring, candy flower blooms profusely alongside the paved surface. Reach Cabin Creek Falls, where a huge fallen basalt boulder creates an almost hidden amphitheater. The waterfall sprays directly into this hidden area. A scramble trail leads up to a rock overhang and the base of the falls.
The Historic Columbia River Highway heads back out to the freeway under a Douglas-fir/big-leaf maple canopy. At an open area, arrive at the Historic Columbia River Highway-Mount Defiance Trail Junction You'll be turning off here to head the short distance up to Lancaster Falls, but first keep going
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
- Maps: Hike Finder
Regulations or restrictions, etc
- None
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Lancaster Falls
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Lancaster Falls
Guidebooks that cover this hike
More Links
- See more information at Describe the link here
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)