Starvation Ridge Loop

Starvation Ridge Loop is a 2.5-mile circuit from Starvation Creek State Park, with a steep climb to a ridge viewpoint, a drop to Warren Creek and a paved Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail return. It gains and loses about 700 feet. You get three waterfalls and a gorge view in one short walk, but the 0.4-mile cutoff climb is extremely steep.

Head west on the State Trail from the parking area, then turn onto Starvation Ridge Cutoff Trail #414B before Cabin Creek Falls. The cutoff climbs sharply to Starvation Ridge Trail #414. Turn right, cross Cabin Creek and keep climbing to a viewpoint just beyond the power lines. From there the route drops through spring wildflower meadows to Warren Creek. At Mount Defiance Trail, take the short uphill spur to Lancaster Falls, then retrace to the junction.

After crossing Warren Creek again, descend past Hole-in-the-Wall Falls. Engineers cut the cliff tunnel in the late 1930s to reroute Warren Creek after debris damaged the old highway bridge. Lancaster Falls stands 303 feet, though the lower tier is the part closest to the trail; Cabin Creek Falls drops 220 feet in two tiers along the return. At Hole-in-the-Wall, the dark rock cleft and falling water make a tight trail-side photo; stay on the established path.

Plan around two hours, longer if you stop at the falls. The approach and return use the paved State Trail; the cutoff is a very steep dirt climb, and the ridge section has creek crossings. Dogs are permitted. Oregon State Parks requires a leash no longer than six feet in its park and on the State Trail. The parking area is at Starvation Creek State Park, off eastbound I-84 Exit 55; westbound drivers use Exit 51 at Wyeth to return eastbound. A day-use parking permit is required and can be bought onsite. Flush restrooms and potable water are at the trailhead. No food is on the route; Hood River brewpubs are a separate stop about seven miles east.