Mt. Defiance

Activity Notes

This is a provisional hike. Mt. Defiance is a very rewarding hike with beautiful vistas of Mt Adams, Mt Rainer, and Mt Hood on a clear day, wildflowers, and waterfalls along the trail.  That being said it is one of the most difficult hikes in the Gorge with 5,000 ft of elevation gain and 13 miles round trip. Hikers applying for this hike should have already have completed at least a few challenging hikes in 2021. Also, I have hiked this loop on May 2, 2021, and on Starvation Ridge there was lots of poison oak along the trail and starting to encroaching onto the trail. By our June date, there may be lots of poison oak that will be on the trail.  Please do not apply for this hike if you are highly allergic to poison oak. We will be meeting at the Starvation Ridge rest area off I-84 (exit 55 eastbound) and starting the hike at 700 am. No pass is required at the trailhead.  Please note that the Mazamas are adhering to all state and local regulations in offering our activities. Review our policies here: mazamas.org/covid19 . You will be required to wear a mask within 6-ft of another person and to always have a mask at the ready in case we pass by others on the trail. We actively discourage carpooling at this time. If you are sick, you are asked to stay home.  Everyone will need to drive themselves unless you're carpooling with a participant already in your COVID bubble.