Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
soaking tubs. Massages and other spa services are also available. East of Steven-
son, in the town of Carson, you can also avail yourself of the therapeutic waters
of the
Carson Hot Springs Resort
(
&
800/607-3678
or 509/427-8292). This
rustic “resort” has been in business since 1897 and looks every bit its age. How-
ever, it's just this old-fashioned appeal that keeps people coming back year after
year. It's open daily from 8am to 7pm in summer and from 9am to 6pm other
months, and charges $12 for a soak and post-soak wrap. An hour's massage is
$55. If you're looking for natural hot springs, the folks here can give you direc-
tions to some that are nearby.
If you're up for a strenuous but rewarding hike, the 3-mile trail to the sum-
mit of 2,948-foot
Dog Mountain
provides ample views up and down the
Gorge. In spring, the wildflower displays in the meadows on Dog Mountain's
slopes are some of the finest in the Gorge. You'll find the trail head on Wash. 14,
12 miles east of the Bridge of the Gods, a bridge that now spans the river at a
site where a huge landslide once blocked the Columbia, creating a natural
“bridge” across the river.
For a less strenuous, though no less scenic hike, drive 5 miles east of Bingen
and turn left onto Rowland Lake Road. In just over a mile, you'll come to the
gravel roadside parking area for the
Catherine Creek
area. On the south side of
the road, there is a 1.25-mile paved path that leads to several viewpoints. On the
north side, there is an unpaved trail that leads up through the Catherine Creek
canyon and connects to trails that climb up into the hills.
Warning:
Keep an eye
out for poison oak.
THE MOUNT ADAMS AREA
While Mount Adams's summit is popular with mountain climbers, at lower ele-
vations there are also excellent trails for hikers and backpackers. The favorite sum-
mer spot for a hike is
Bird Creek Meadows
on the Yakama Indian Reservation
north of the town of Trout Lake. These meadows are ablaze with wildflowers in
July. Eight miles west of Trout Lake, you can explore several
ice caves.
The caves
were formed by lava flows centuries ago, and year-round cool temperatures allow
ice to build up within the caves. For more information on hiking on Mount
Adams, contact the
Gifford Pinchot National Forest,
Mt. Adams Ranger
District, 2455 Wash. 141, Trout Lake, WA 98650 (
&
509/395-3400;
www.fs.fed.
us/r6/gpnf ).
THE EAST END OF THE GORGE
Between The Dalles Dam and the town of Goldendale (north of Wash. 14 on U.S.
97), there are a few unusual attractions that are well worth a visit if you are explor-
ing down at this eastern end of the Gorge. In addition to the attractions listed here,
you'll also find three wineries.
Maryhill Winery,
9774 Hwy. 14, Maryhill
(
&
877/627-9445;
www.maryhillwinery.com), has the best view of any winery in
the Northwest and also produces some very good wines.
Cascade Cliffs Vineyard
& Winery,
milepost 88.6, Hwy. 14, Wishram (
&
509/767-1100;
www.cascade
cliffs.com), is set at the foot of 400-foot-tall basalt cliffs and produces, among
other wines, Nebbiolo and Barbera.
Marshal's Winery,
150 Oak Creek Rd.,
Dallesport (
&
509/767-4633
), which is located 2 miles up a gravel road, is a tiny
family-run winery that produces some of Washington's smoothest cabernet sauvi-
gnons and merlots, as well as some unusual sweet wines.
Goldendale Observatory State Park
If you happen to be an amateur
astronomer, you won't want to miss a visit to the Goldendale Observatory. The
