2011 Edition
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This page will include several trips.
A scouting mission to see just how difficult a hike up Mount Defiance is going to be.
Having a look at the Columbia River Historic Highway out to Viento State Park.
Taking the 2.5 mile falls loop hike.
The "full meal deal" hike to the summit of Mount Defiance.
February 5, 2011 - Mount Defiance scouting mission.
Got within about a mile and a half of the summit. It was getting late, the fog level
was lowering so it was getting very wet and cold. Also heard that there was snow
on the last 2,000 feet of elevation so we wisely decided to turn back when we did.
Defiance is good exercise and I enjoy the challange... but it's mostly VERY steep
paths in deep forest with little in the way of views. This mountain is unlikely
to make ot to my "must keep coming back" list. We will, however, come back at least
once more so that we can get to see the summit.
Returned on August 14, 2011. Here's that
Trail Guide.
Take I-84 East, exit 55. It's between Cascade Locks and Hood River, Oregon.
There is no I-84 Westbound exit.
Starvation Creek Falls
Cabin Creek Falls
Julie in search of the perfect falls picture.
And here's the shot she got:
Hole-in-the-wall falls
A nice view of Wind Mountain across the Columbia River.
This whole area will be socked in when we return a few hours later.
This is the last sign you'll be seeing for a long while. Straight ahead is
the trail to Mount Defiance. Turn left and go uphill to return to the trailhead
via the falls loop trail.
I think this is Warren Falls. You'll get your feet wet going across this one!
A mile or so up the trail there are a few nice views to the West. Enjoy them
because it's deep forest for several miles once you pass the last one.
We got into some very heavy fog about a mile and a half from the summit. It got
quite cold and very wet very quickly. Wanted to be sure we got back to the
trailhead before dark so we turned back after going about 5 miles. The low clouds,
rain and cold followed us all the way down and it became downright icky even at the trailhead.
Ran into a few people including at least two guys who made the summit in 2 1/2 hours.
It will be a while before I am in that kind of shape..... ran into a couple who were
just heading up at around 15:30.... hope we won't be reading about them in the paper.
They seemed ill-prepared and the weather was really taking a turn for the worse.
Below is the same picture location as was shot above. Note that the visibility
is "slightly" less now....
Hike Heartbreak Ridge
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