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 Reporter |
Summary: The easy start to this hike may confuse those who heard “this is the hardest hike in the Gorge” but do not fret, as you turn towards the uphill section of this hike they will soon forget the beautiful waterfalls and noisy traffic along the interstate. This trail is considered by many as a harder climb than if you were to summit Mt. hood. I have been told by some that climbers of Mt. Hood regularly use this as a training trail. I would agree it fits the bill for a long slow uphill workout. Once you reach the 4100ft. mark you get a breathtaking view to the north of the Cascade Range, the Columbia Gorge, and all the smaller hills that dot the horizon. The rest of the trail is in the trees and offers little to do but scan the trail ahead. The trail intersects with the Starvation Ridge trail just West of Warren Lake, a popular return route. Once on top you have an unobstructed view of Mt Hood to the South. Trailhead: To find the trailhead you must follow I-84 to exit 55 the Starvation Creek State Park rest area. If you are coming westbound there is no exit and you have to go past to the Cascade locks exit and backtrack. Once at the parking lot the trail begins by taking you along the shoulder of I-84 (behind a fence) for almost a mile before the uphill begins. Along this first mile is where you will see waterfalls and creeks. Do not be fooled by this easy beginning, as once the trail turns uphill it climbs relentlessly. (Lat:45.68843 Lon:-121.69026) Trail Guides for Mt. Defiance Trail-Columbia Gorge: Hiking the Columbia River Gorge by Russ Schneider (Falcon Guide) 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon by William L. Sullivan (Navillus Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Hood River Ranger Station 6780 Highway 35 Mt. hood-Parkdale, OR (541) 352-6002 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Drew Furnia, who has posted 23 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 1 of 8 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Seth C on 9/5/2011 I thought it was a great hike, yet my hiking company will never go again. And as a reminder to all Please take a flashlight when hiking this trail as it may take longer than you think. I had to run down the last several hundred feet back to my truck and get more flashlights for another group of 5 or so hikers that were crawling down the trail. I returned to them with lights and all was well BUT pack correctly for a known tuff hike. I loved the hike and the weather was warm, views were great , trail was good.
Reviewed by Ian on 8/7/2011 This trail has no mercy for about the 3 1/2 hours getting to the top, but once up there the views on a clear day are amazing. I just got back from this hike and I know I'll be sore tomorrow but I'll go back sometime soon hopefully. Just need to find more people to go with because everyone else that went today is never going back.... 
Reviewed by Viewer on 7/4/2011 Error: Reserved Word Found: ;
Reviewed by TC on 11/12/2010 Beautiful hike. Snows starts about 3000' and at the Warren Lakes trail about a foot. Following the trail took concentration - no foorprints visible. Didn't summit - turned off on Warren lakes trail - mostly due to snow. Great day though.
Reviewed by Matt on 7/5/2010 Went yesterday on the 4th of July, it was somewhat cloudy which obstructed some view but still nice views of the river and gorge. Completed the hike in 6 hrs going up the Mr. Defiance trail and returning via Warren Lake to Starvation Ridge. Starvation Ridge was very steep making the descent almost as grueling as the ascent. Towards the end of the Starvation Ridge Trail before cutting off on the Starvation Cutoff Trail it was very steep with intense drop offs and lots of loose gravel and dirt. This part of the trail is also exposed so the sun dries out the dirt making it more dangerous. The Starvation Cutoff Trail was much of the same, lots of loose dry dirt and gravel making the descent more dangerous than I was comfortable with.
Reviewed by Tomk on 6/20/2010 Very strenous, and for the most part socked in by fog and Oregon mist. Did encounter some snow but didn't impede hike at all. Coming down was almost as hard as the ascent because of the steepnes of the trail.
Reviewed by TS on 5/30/2010 Hiked Defiance today with 3 good friends. Had a wonderful time. Very steep and long indeed and finished in 6.5 hours. At about 4,100 feet (around the cut off for Warren Lake), there is considerable snow still. I would suggest snow shoes if you are going for the top as we were in below our knees when our boots went through the snow. A lot of people up there....many of them unprepared. If Burt(sp?) sees this post, what was that app that you were using on the Android Phone that tracked the elevation, mileage, etc?
Reviewed by AK on 5/24/2010 I hiked on 5/23/2010 as well. There is plenty of snow above 4000 feet and lot of fresh snow while we were there but I did not need any Snow shoes to reach the summit. Went up the Defiance trail but on the way back we tried to take starvation ridge trail but it was hard to follow because there were not enough footprints seems like everyone had taken the service road. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Oregon Hiking, Oregon Trails, Oregon Hikes, Hood River County Hiking, Hood River County Trails, Hood River County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
