The “Easy” Way up Mount Defiance

THERE’S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO HIKE TO THE ROOFTOP OF THE GORGE

WHEN DESCRIBING the Columbia River Gorge, travel writers — at least those who live outside of the area — will often proclaim to their readers that the canyon walls of the Gorge “tower over 4,000 feet high,” or something to that effect.

While there aren’t too many points along the Columbia River that crest that elevation, the 4,000+ number is typically referring to Mount Defiance. A 6-million-year-old shield volcano (age according to OregonHikers.org, which is an excellent hiking resource), Defiance is considered the highest point in the Gorge, looming imperiously over the Hood River Valley. Its radio tower-festooned peak can be seen from many miles away, and it’s typically the last place in the Gorge to give up its snow in the spring — a time when local lore dictates that it’s nally safe to plant tomatoes in your garden without worry of frost. at is, however, only if you’re hiking De ance from the most-commonly used trailhead, Starvation Creek, which is located all the way down at river level in the Gorge, making for a brutal 11-mile hike (up and back), during which you are subjected to nearly 4,900 feet in elevation gain. If you’re like me and 1) don’t have any interest in climbing Hood, and 2) have knees weaker than a teenager on a rst date, then that’s a hike you’re probably not looking to do either.

In addition to being the highest point in the Gorge (4,960 feet according to the U.S. Forest Service), it’s often heralded as one of toughest hikes in the area, too. I don’t have a speci c citation for the latter point, but I’ve often heard that climbers use De ance as a training hike in preparation for summitting Mount Hood.

While Starvation Creek is the most well-known trailhead for reaching Defiance, it’s not the only one. Located just south of Defiance (the non-Gorge side) and a 45-minute/18-mile drive from Hood River is the aptly named “Mount Defiance South Trailhead,” which allows you to hike to the top of the peak in a mere 1.6 miles via the equally aptly named “Mount Defiance Trail” (#413).

That being said … it’s still not an easy hike. Any way you slice it, hiking Mount Defiance will give your calves a workout, and in 1.6 miles (one way), you’ll see 1,145 feet in elevation gain, making for a short, but steep, ascent. For directions to the trailhead, which are a bit complicated, I recommend using OregonHikers.org, NWhiker.com, or the U.S. Forest Service website.

First, the bad news. The hike is still kind of a slog, heading on a mostly straight path up through the trees. Also, as I alluded to before, the top of the mountain is a complex of radio/microwave towers, wire fences, and other communications-related infrastructure, so you won’t get that tucked-away-into-the-wilderness vibe of other hikes, and you’ll have to get creative with your framing so that no metal boxes or towers from the summit make it into your Instagram photos.

All that aside, the hike is very much worth doing, at least once. Being the tallest peak in the Gorge, Mount Defiance is a worthy adventure to tick off your hiking bucket list. Also, the prominence of Defiance means you get some killer views — especially if you take a quick detour (more on that below).

The directions for the hike are pretty straightforward: from the trailhead, head north and up the Mount Defiance Trail #413, and you’ll stay on this trail all the way to the radio tower summit. Most of the time, you’re in a dense coniferous forest, but a couple of talus slopes on the way provide a great spot for water breaks and give you a nice little amuse-bouche for what you’ll see at the top, with a good view of Mount Hood and glimpses of Bear Lake and Mount St. Helens.

After sweating your way to the summit (congrats!), you have an option to extend your hike by continuing along the section of the Mount Defiance Trail that makes a loop just below the summit, crossing National Forest Road 2821 twice in the process. You can also do this before you reach the summit if you like (take care to not to head off the loop and onto the section that goes down to Starvation Creek; if you come to a fork with the Mitchell Point Trail #417, you’ve gone too far and should turn around).

This will add another 1.25 miles or so (40-ish minutes) and around 400 feet of elevation gain to your hike, but it’s totally worth it, due to the north side of Defiance offering some truly incredible views of the Gorge, Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, and Mount St. Helens. I would even argue you get better views here than you do at the top.

After completing the loop and heading back down to the start of the hike, you have another option for a detour: Bear Lake. This small lake provides a decent place to have lunch and/or cool off after your hike, with a good view of Mount Defiance to boot. However, like other alpine lakes in the Mount Hood area, it doesn’t really have much of a beach, and can be silty and muddy. Bear Lake is accessible via the Bear Lake Trail #413A, which appears on your right about half a mile before the Mount

Defiance South Defiance Trailhead, and hiking it will add another 1.4 miles and 400 feet of elevation change to your hike (there and back).

If that’s not your cup of tea, skip it and head back to the car, then tell all your friends you finally made it to the highest point in the Gorge.

story by JANET COOK • photos by LANCE KOUDELE and KATE SCHWAGER