Photo: Greg Lief

Starvation Creek Ridge Loop, OR

Start this hike on the same trail used to access Mt Defiance, which runs along I-84 for about 1/10 mile. After hiking another 1/10 mile past the freeway, you will come to a junction with the Starvation Cutoff Trail (#414B). Turn left here and head up the hill. The trail begins a steep ascent --really steep. Once you reach the top, the trail intersects the Starvation Ridge Trail (#414).  Turn right onto this trail and cross Cabin Creek. You will continue to climb from here up to the Starvation Ridge viewpoint. A gentle descent will take you through meadows that are filled with wildflowers in the spring, and down to a Warren Creek Crossing. At the junction with the Mount Defiance Trail, turn left here and head up the Mount Defiance Trail a short distance to Lancaster Falls. When you're done here, head back the way you came to the last trail junction. Continue down the Mount Defiance Trail toward the trailhead. Soon you'll pass Hole-in-the-Wall Falls, then return to the old highway. Finally, the hike ends at Cabin Creek Falls, a great place to relax and enjoy the pretty waterfall after a hardy hike.

Trail Map

Driving Directions

Starvation Creek Trailhead:From Portland, drive east on I-84 to Exit #55/Starvation Creek State Park and rest area. There's no westbound exit to the Starvation Creek Rest Area, so drivers from the east (Hood River) will need to continue to Herman Creek Road and double back. Similarly, when leaving the rest area westbound drivers (Portland) will need to drive east on I-84 for about a mile and take the Viento exit, which leads to an underpass and then an I-84 on-ramp to Portland.