Story by Kassandra
A Grounding Retreat in the Forest
Adventure in Molalla, Willamette Valley, OR, US
Trout Creek Wilderness Lodge offers much more than just a place to stay. This beautiful retreat is in the middle of the forest and surrounded by creeks, rivers, and seemingly untouched wilderness. And with a sauna, cedar hot tub, and several ways to cold plunge, it's the perfect place to relax, unwind, and ground yourself. We stayed in Cabin #1 – a small shelter with a moss-covered roof, offering a cozy glamping experience. We throughly enjoyed the sound and views of the creek throughout our stay.
The adventures near the cabin are plentiful. We visited Silver Creek Reservoir on our way in, where we threw sticks in the water for our dog, Zuko, and soaked in the views. That evening, we made a simple dinner in the communal space – a lovely building filled with everything we needed (and didn't know we needed) for our stay. There were books, games, a kitchen, couches, and a large table to eat at or catch up on a few emails.
The next day, I started the morning by spending some quiet time with Zuko on the deck across the road from our cabin, which overlooks the Mollala River. A magical spot to do some yoga and meditate, it's also a place where you can actually jump off the rocks into the water if you're feeling brave! Afterwards, we finally got to explore the property more thoroughly and hike the Three Bears Trail that leads you through the fern-filled forest to a secluded spot on the river. Bring good shoes and be prepared to use ropes to climb your way down to it though!
We ventured to the other side of the river later on to explore more of Mollala River Recreation area. We stopped at several turnouts in search of a place called "The Mollala Eye," a spiral basalt cliffside along the river. We were successful in our searching and found ourselves in awe of it's beauty!
The next morning, we took advantage of the cedar hot tub and adjacent sauna. An incredibly relaxing experience, especially with the peaceful, chilly waters of the river waiting for us right outside. It was a send-off that left us perfectly rejuvenated and refreshed for the journey back home....
The adventures near the cabin are plentiful. We visited Silver Creek Reservoir on our way in, where we threw sticks in the water for our dog, Zuko, and soaked in the views. That evening, we made a simple dinner in the communal space – a lovely building filled with everything we needed (and didn't know we needed) for our stay. There were books, games, a kitchen, couches, and a large table to eat at or catch up on a few emails.
The next day, I started the morning by spending some quiet time with Zuko on the deck across the road from our cabin, which overlooks the Mollala River. A magical spot to do some yoga and meditate, it's also a place where you can actually jump off the rocks into the water if you're feeling brave! Afterwards, we finally got to explore the property more thoroughly and hike the Three Bears Trail that leads you through the fern-filled forest to a secluded spot on the river. Bring good shoes and be prepared to use ropes to climb your way down to it though!
We ventured to the other side of the river later on to explore more of Mollala River Recreation area. We stopped at several turnouts in search of a place called "The Mollala Eye," a spiral basalt cliffside along the river. We were successful in our searching and found ourselves in awe of it's beauty!
The next morning, we took advantage of the cedar hot tub and adjacent sauna. An incredibly relaxing experience, especially with the peaceful, chilly waters of the river waiting for us right outside. It was a send-off that left us perfectly rejuvenated and refreshed for the journey back home....
Things We Did
- River
- Lake
- Scenic Drive
Our Adventure Map
Where we stayed
Things we did
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