Hole-In-The-Wall Falls | World Waterfall Database

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This waterfall has been surveyed, mapped and measured in person by the World Waterfall Database.

If a road is washed out by a stream, the road is usually repaired because it's the most practical thing to do. Well, apparently in the early 20th century, practicality was not of great concern. The original Columbia River Highway was constructed paralleling close to Warren Creek's major waterfall, Warren Falls. During high water, the creek would often wash out the road, so, rather than repairing or just moving the road, in 1938 someone decided to move the waterfall. A tunnel was blasted through the adjacent cliff, through which the creek was diverted, and Hole-in-the-Wall Falls was born. If you look closely, you can see a wooden plank stuck into the cliff above the tunnel opening, signaling the human injunction. You can bushwhack along the old streambed for a couple hundred feet to the site where Warren Falls used to be situated. I examined the old falls closely on my most recent visit, and concluded that the falls never actually impacted the road itself, but rather the creek was directed such that the roadbed would frequently be damaged from flood water. Evidence also points to Warren Falls still being able to flow when the creek is running really high. It should be noted that the sign at the trailhead states that Warren Falls lies 1 mile from the trailhead. Unless this is another waterfall which I am unaware of, this is both an incorrect distance and naming.

HISTORY AND NAMES

Also Known as: Warren Falls
Hole-In-The-Wall Falls is the Official name of this waterfall

Warren Falls was the original waterfall along Warren Creek, both named for Warren Cooper, a former ranger for the Forest Service. Warren Falls, for all intents and purposes, ceased to exist in 1938 and Hole-in-the-Wall Falls was born and named for obvious reasons. Some sources still erroneously refer to this waterfall as Warren Falls or Warren Creek Falls.

Location and directions

The falls are accessed from Starvation Creek State Park, just off of Interstate 84, about halfway between Cascade Locks and Hood River. The parking area is only accessible to eastbound traffic (if you are driving west, 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). From the parking lot, find the signed Mt. Defiance trail adjacent to the exit ramp. Follow the trail, which parallels the freeway, for about ¾ of a mile to a nice bridge crossing Warren Creek just below the falls.

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Hole-In-The-Wall Falls is shown in the center. The 10 closest waterfalls within a 8km radius are shown as well (if any). Click any icon or see the list below for more information.

Additional Nearby Waterfalls

Name of Waterfall	Distance
Lancaster Falls	0.22 mi / 0.36 km
Cabin Creek Falls	0.27 mi / 0.43 km
Starvation Creek Falls	0.65 mi / 1.04 km
Harrison Falls	0.67 mi / 1.08 km
Lindsey Creek Falls	0.9 mi / 1.45 km
Unnamed Waterfall	0.92 mi / 1.48 km
Summit Creek Falls	1.25 mi / 2.01 km
Camp Benson Falls	1.29 mi / 2.06 km
Dog Creek Falls	2.29 mi / 3.67 km
Cook Falls	2.55 mi / 4.08 km

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Photography tips

The best views are still from the trail next to the bridge, but you can get right up to the bottom of the falls if you wish. Watch out for spray in the spring if you do get close. Like all the waterfalls on the Oregon side of the Gorge, because of the massive cliffs of the Gorge, the waterfall is shaded most of the day for most of the year.

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Hole-In-The-Wall Falls Hood River County, Oregon, United States