Columbia River Gorge NSA Mt Defiance Hike from Starvation Creek TH Length:   12.2 RT Elevation Change:   4500' gain Season:   Late spring to early fall Difficulty:    Very difficult due to the steepness of trail and length of hike Permit:   NW Forest Pass Required Features:   Trail follows freeway for about a mile before beginning a grueling 15 switchback climb where the trail kinda levels off for a mile or so.  Then things begin to get steep again to about 4000'.  Within a mile of the top you have the opportunity to take a loop trail the west of the summit and approach the top from the south side.  Return down the north side and meet up with the trail you came up on. A Virtual Hike in the Columbia River Gorge NSA All for the love of hiking!