Falls Colors & Birding Tour: Natural Bridges, Peterson Prairie, Guler Ice Cave
Details
***SEE DIRECTIONS AT BOTTOM***
Around 20,000 years ago, the volcano at Lemei Rock near Mt. Adams belched lava all over the Indian Heaven Wilderness area. When it cooled, it formed a subterranean system of lava tubes with rivers of basalt. Spoiler alert: they're not subterranean, anymore.
At Natural Bridges nature trail, you can walk on the few bits still standing after entire sections collapsed. In spring, it's crazy with wildflowers and in summer it's got the huckleberries goin' on, but in autumn--Holy moly, the Technicolor oranges, yellows, and reds of those vine maples! It's also a good migration spot for warblers and other little flitting things (Bonus: the caves house bats!)
Along the same Carson-Guler Road are several more unique natural features to explore. Peterson Prairie boasts a lovely little open space you can stroll through in search of grouse, elk, woodpeckers, and crossbills. Goose Lake is a photogenic mirror at 3000' that usually has an eagle or two fishing in it. The Guler Ice Caves are a bizarre geologic deep freeze that indigenous people and trappers once used to preserve food. It feels pretty freakin' wonderful on a hot July day.
We'll meet at the Natural Bridges parking area and very slowly walk the trail for about 2 miles total. We will NOT be going in the lava tube caves in order to avoid hibernating bats, but you can hike to the bottom of the collapsed sections to peer inside. We'll sit at a secluded spot I know away from the main trail to soak up the ambiance while we eat lunch. There will be a small amount of easy bushwhacking and the trail has rocks sticking out here and there, so trekking poles recommended. No parking free, no restrooms on site (but lots of cover, wink, wink).
Then, we'll drive west of there 0.5 mi. down the Carson-Guler to Peterson Prairie to do a little walking and birding in the open space, maybe 0.5 mi. total. There might be tall grass and uneven ground, so trekking poles recommended. No parking fee, unserviced restrooms on site (bring extra toilet paper).
Then, we'll drive further west again about 6 mi. to Goose Lake and see if the eagles and waterfowl are in. There are fishing trails around the lake to explore to get a better shot or seek out a bird. No parking fee, unserviced restrooms on site (bring extra toilet paper).
Lastly, we will backtrack on Carson-Guler and stop at the Guler Ice Caves just 0.8 mi. east of Natural Bridges on the return to Trout Lake. A very short hike leads to stairs descending into the Crystal Grotto where the floor is very slick ice (you can just stay on the stairs) and side cavities may reveal ice stalactites, stalagmites, and curtains. The cave system is vast but we will NOT be spelunking. There are a few other "pits" with cool cave openings we can explore on the surface and the surrounding mixed forest is excellent for birding. Headlamp and trekking poles recommended. No parking fee, unserviced restrooms on site (bring extra toilet paper).
You are welcome to linger at the ice caves picnic area to eat dinner before the drive home. That way, you will catch the sunset in the gorge on the return trip and miss most of Portland rush hour.
WARNING: We will be at over 3000' altitude, so the air will be a little thinner and you will be working a little harder than you may be used to. Drink extra water, it helps. These trails are relatively flat and we will be going very slowly and stopping often for photography, birdwatching, and nature ID.
Bring $10 cash, water, beverages/snacks/food for 2 meals, binoculars, camera equipment, trekking poles, headlamp, toilet paper, and WEATHER appropriate clothing. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.
DIRECTIONS:
Head into Trout Lake, WA, on Highway 141.
From the Y-junction of Mt. Adams Road and Highway 141, stay left on 141 and go west 7.3 mi.
Turn left on gravel Forest Road 041 and go 0.5 mi.
Turn right on gravel Forest Road 050 and go 0.3 mi.
Park in the pullout on the left. Look for my deep blue Honda CRV. No parking fee.