
About This Waterfall
The falls are located in Starvation Creek State Park, just off of Interstate 84, about 1/2 way between Cascade Locks and Hood River. The parking area is only accessible to eastbound traffic - westbounders must exit and turn around at Exit 51 (Wyeth), then to return to your westbound direction, do the same at Viento State Park at Exit 56. The falls are found about 1/3 of a mile along the Mount Defiance trail, which leaves from the west end of the parking lot and is marked by a large green sign.Cabin Creek Falls is the first fall encountered along the Mt. Defiance trail. The falls drop from a razor thin crack in the adjacent cliff, bouncing once on a small shelf, then dropping to the trail. The falls are situated no more than 50 feet from the trail, and can easily be seen without much effort (more so when the surrounding trees are bare). However, there are a pair of large rocks, probably 75 feet tall, sitting right in front of the falls, blocking the best perspective, so, seeing the entire falls clearly is a near impossibility. When the surrounding trees are bare, one can see almost the entire falls from the trail, the upper tier more or less alone, and the lower tier by itself, but thanks to that dastardly boulder, never together. There is a scramble path that leads to a small saddle between the two boulders, from which I achieved a different perspective, however you'll need a super wide angle lens to get a complete shot. The falls can also be seen well from Interstate 84, though, again, not in it's entirety.
Waterfall Details
Waterfall Form
Tiered Plunges
Total Height
220ft
Tallest Drop
130ft
Number of Drops
2
Run
20ft
Avg Width
5ft
Pitch
90°
Magnitude
29.56
High Flow
15cfs
Getting There
GPS Coordinates
45.686990, -121.696370
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Quick Facts
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Tips
Best photos during golden hour or after rain.
A hike may be required to reach the falls.
Parking available nearby.
Safety Info
Stay on marked trails. Rocks near waterfalls are extremely slippery.
Never swim at the top of a waterfall. Strong currents can be deceptive.
Respect the environment. Pack out everything you bring in.