Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
The Mount Defiance hike is a steep hike with great views of the surrounding mountains on a clear day. You can make it a loop hike by going up the Starvation Ridge Trail and back down the Mount Definance Trail or you can go out and back on the same trail. More information can be found at http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Defiance-Starvation_Loop_Hike
Activity Notes
Mount Defiance is the highest point in the the Columbia River Gorge at close to 5000 feet. We will begin at Starvation Creek State Park. The hike will either be a loop hike (up Defiance trail and down Starvation Ridge), or out and back (Defiance trail), depending on speed and conditions. More information can be found at http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Defiance-Starvation_Loop_Hike
This is a great hike to prepare for the climbing season. I hiked last week and used snowshoes above approximately 3500 feet. Initially they helped with hardpacked/icy surface, and higher up they prevented post-holing. I prefer a faster pace and efficient breaks. The hike pace is listed as a 2 due to steepness, time to deal with snowshoes/layers and breaks. Moving pace will be faster than a 2. Be prepared for wintry conditions and route finding.
Let me know if anyone is interested in carpooling. Meet at MMC at 6:45am for carpooling, or 7:55am at the trailhead for an 8:00am departure.
| Other Information | |
|---|---|
| Driving Distance from Portland | 52 miles |
| Driving Time from Portland | 1 hours |
| Distance - Round Trip | 11 miles |
| Expected Duration | Car to car in one day |
| Interesting Features | Mountain Views, Old Growth Trees |
| Relevant Maps | CG7 |
| Awards Qualified | Awesome Ridges Award, Gorge High Points, Wild Ones |
| Useful Links | GPS Track Map |
