



Story by Conner
Life on the Farmstead
Adventure in Trout Lake, Columbia Gorge, WA, US
Trout Lake Farmstead in the springtime was absolutely gorgeous. From snow-capped Mount Adams to the rolling hills in the valley, there was a stunning view no matter which way you looked!
With endless activities including hiking, biking, caving, mountaineering, white water rafting or something as simple as a scenic drive, you'll never run out of adventures, and at the end of your day, wine country is just around the corner – so many places to sit back, relax, and enjoy even more beautiful views.
With endless activities including hiking, biking, caving, mountaineering, white water rafting or something as simple as a scenic drive, you'll never run out of adventures, and at the end of your day, wine country is just around the corner – so many places to sit back, relax, and enjoy even more beautiful views.
Things We Did
- Caving
- Winery
- Restaurant
These ice caves were definitely a highlight of the trip for all of us. It was like being on another planet!
Here are some things to keep in mind before you head into the cave:
You'll definitely need a good pair of waterproof shoes or boots, with some form of microspikes for extra traction, as almost everything in the cave is covered in a layer of ice.
Dress warmly. The cave is full of ice throughout the year, so it's cold in the cave even on the hottest days in summer, especially if you venture deep. A good pair of gloves will help keep your hands warm and dry and, also protect against some of the rough rocks while exploring.
A helmet or hard hat is another safety precaution I would recommend for everyone, especially those who are over six feet like myself. There is some climbing involved in areas so it was very easy to not pay attention to low-hanging rocks or icicles.
A headlamp is also a must-have. It's very dark and the light on your phone isn't quite enough to safely explore the caves.
There is a map just before the entrance of the cave that shows you all the different areas you can get to. You won't necessarily have to worry about getting lost in the cave since it's pretty linear, but it does help you determine where you might want to get to or see where you ended up.
Here are some things to keep in mind before you head into the cave:
You'll definitely need a good pair of waterproof shoes or boots, with some form of microspikes for extra traction, as almost everything in the cave is covered in a layer of ice.
Dress warmly. The cave is full of ice throughout the year, so it's cold in the cave even on the hottest days in summer, especially if you venture deep. A good pair of gloves will help keep your hands warm and dry and, also protect against some of the rough rocks while exploring.
A helmet or hard hat is another safety precaution I would recommend for everyone, especially those who are over six feet like myself. There is some climbing involved in areas so it was very easy to not pay attention to low-hanging rocks or icicles.
A headlamp is also a must-have. It's very dark and the light on your phone isn't quite enough to safely explore the caves.
There is a map just before the entrance of the cave that shows you all the different areas you can get to. You won't necessarily have to worry about getting lost in the cave since it's pretty linear, but it does help you determine where you might want to get to or see where you ended up.
South Hill Winery has it all, honestly. Fantastic wine, gorgeous views of Mount Hood and the gorge on a clear day, and a friendly atmosphere. They have a large selection of unique wines to taste and purchase. We enjoyed each wine that we tasted, so much so we took home a few bottles. I recommend coming here if you can only make it to one winery, but also keep it on your list for your wine tour as there are many wineries in the area.
Perfect on the way home after all your adventures, or for when you need to soak up some wine. They had a wide variety of types and toppings so you can find something everyone will enjoy!
Our Adventure Map
Where we stayed
Things we did
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