Columbia Gorge Waterfalls and More


For a small taste of the Starvation Ridge/Mt. Defiance loop hike, do the 2 1/2-mile lower loop hike.

The short one-half mile, very steep ascent on the Starvation Ridge connector trail will get the blood pumping.

The reward is three large waterfalls and a great viewpoint of the eastern Columbia River Gorge.

If you enjoy the hike enough, come back in a month and do the 5,000-foot elevation-gain hike to Mt. Defiance. It’s probably the toughest day hike in the Portland area.

I have done the difficult 11-mile loop hike an even dozen times. Who knows, maybe this year will be lucky number 13.

The viewpoint high above the Columbia River

The viewpoint high above the Columbia River

Lancaster Falls

250-foot Lancaster Falls

 

Orange Honeysuckle

Orange Honeysuckle

Small creek along the trail

Small creek along the trail

Blue-eyed Mary

Blue-eyed Mary

Lower Hole-in-the-wall Falls

Lower 100-foot Hole-in-the-wall Falls

Dog Mountain

Dog Mountain (golden Balsamroot beginning to bloom in the summit area)

Upper Hole-in-the-wall Falls

Upper 100-foot Hole-in-the-wall Falls

 

Wildflowers covering the hillside

Wildflowers covering the hillside

Cabin Creek Falls

190-foot Cabin Creek Falls

 

 

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