Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
141 in Husum. Try the estate-grown white riesling in the tasting room, which is set within the winery's lovely cottage with sloping eaves and
cedar deck.
Check out the all-natural winemaking process at
Klickitat Canyon Winery
(6 Lyle-Snowden Rd., Lyle, 509/365-2900,
www.columbiagorgewinery.com
)
, which prides itself on its from-the-earth methods. The wines here are fermented using only the yeast on the
grapes—winemakers don't add any bi-sulfites and 100 percent of its grapes come from the Columbia Gorge, making its vintages a true reflection
of the region's terroir. Klickitat offers tours and barrel room tastings noon-6 P.M. Saturday-Sunday.
Plan ahead and call
Gorge Crest Winery
(509/493-2026,
www.gorgecrest.com
) to schedule a tasting appointment in its modern but comfort-
able big red barn winery center. The grounds are gorgeous—a favorite for weddings.
Sports and Recreation
RIVER RAFTING
Between Klickitat Gorge and the White Salmon River, the area has enough thrills and spills for the hardest-core river rat. Here, you can find runs
in the intermediate skill level class III up through the experts-only class V rapids, along with plenty of experienced pros to guide you through. The
best rafting tends to run from May-June. Expect one-day trips to cost around $100, depending on your choice of runs.
Attracting some of the biggest names in the whitewater kayaking world,
Wet Planet
(860 Hwy. 141 in Husum, 877/390-9445,
www.wetplanetwhitewater.com
)
offers a half-day trip through the Wild and Scenic White Salmon River that ends in a rollercoaster ride down the
13-foot Husum Falls. This outfitter takes you through some of the prettiest and most exciting portions of the upper White Salmon from a private
put-in that's 2.1 miles upstream from where most local outfitters launch. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, try leaping off a basalt ledge
into the river on the trip's optional cliff jump.
All Rivers Adventures
(800/743-5628,
www.alladventuresrafting.com
)
provides full-service river guidance and even owns a private ranch
available for barbecues and volleyball after your run.
Blue Sky Outfitters
(800/228-7238,
www.blueskyoutfitters.com
)
guides one-day and
overnight trips.
Wildwater River Tours
(800/522-9453,
www.wildwater-river.com
) takes a wide variety of trips and even offers guide training,
if white water truly gets in your blood.
canoeing the White Salmon River
HORSEBACK RIDING
North Western Lake Riding Stables
(509/493-4965,
www.nwstables.com
)
has horseback rides near White Salmon ranging $40-160 per person.
Rides can be had between 8 A.M. and sunset, weather permitting.
BIKE RENTALS
Cross the river to Oregon to pick up a rental bike at
Discovery Bikes
(116 Oak St., Hood River, Oregon, 541/386-4820, $20-55 per day), which
keeps a huge corral of mountain bikes, road bikes, and kiddie bikes with training wheels on hand for visitors.
Festivals and Events
White Salmon's
Spring Festival
(509/365-4565,
www.whitesalmonspringfestival.com
)
on the third weekend of May in Rheingarten Park includes
a parade, food, entertainment, and a chili cook-off. Or, for some autumnal fun, pay a visit to Bingen's
Huckleberry Fest
(509/637-0411,
www.huckleberryfest.com
) on the second weekend of September. The parade and talent show play second fiddle to the main attraction: the huckle-
berry products. If it can be made with huckleberries, you can try it here.
Accommodations
A cozy inn with a long history is
Inn of the White Salmon
(172 W Jewett Blvd., 509/493-2335 or 800/972-5226,
www.innofthewhitesalmon.com
,
$90 s or $106-135 d) in White Salmon. This homey hideaway features charming decor, wireless Internet, a fireplace, hot tub, and delicious gour-
met breakfasts. Most rooms have private baths, but if you're looking for a bargain, ask about the eight-bed hostel room ($25 per person).
