Starvation Creek Waterfall Quadfecta

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Waterfall

See Starvation Creek Falls, Cabin Creek Falls, Lancaster Falls, and Starvation Creek Falls all in one easily accessible, short run. Three of the four waterfalls are viewable from paved ADA accessible pathways, with only Lancaster Falls requiring a short climb up a singletrack trail. This route would be a lot better if it were not for proximity to I-84 and the resulting incessant road noise.

Parking is immediately off a designated exit from I-84 for Starvation Creek State Park, making this trail very easy to access by any car. There are bathrooms at this (as of early 2019) free parking lot as well as a neat map showcasing the plans for Historic Highway State Trail.

The trail will follow the newly paved and fully accessible portion of the historic highway trail west. After only a third of a mile, you'll come across Cabin Creek Falls, which plunges about 220 feet into a pool partially obscured by a huge boulder. The waterfall is only a few dozen feet from the trail so it's unmissable.

You'll come to a paved trail heading south after another third of a mile along the paved historic trail that leads to a small sitting area near the base of Hole in the Wall Falls. This waterfall was created to prevent the original Warren Creek Falls from washing out the highway in 1938, hence why it comes out of a tunnel. The paved section of the trail ends before the best views of Hole in the Wall Falls which are near the bridge over Warren Creek.

Continue along the unpaved trail towards Mount Defiance for roughly another third of a mile. This is the only uphill on this trail and can be skipped if you're not feeling it. Here you'll see Lower Lancaster Falls, named after the lead engineer for the highway.

Head back the way you came, but this time continue east past the parking area along the historic highway trail. Look for an obvious paved path that heads south a tenth of a mile to Starvation Creek Falls. There are two picnic tables here that make a great place to take a break while enjoying the beauty of Starvation Creek Falls.

Much of this trail follows the original path of the Columbia Highway that has recently been paved for hiking, running, and biking.