hiking, pnw, Review, travel

The Ultimate Family Stop After Exploring the Gorge ~ Thunder Island Brewing Co

Mountain View from the patio

Looking for the perfect post-hike stop in the Columbia River Gorge? Thunder Island Brewing Co in Cascade Locks offers Mountain View’s, craft beer brewed with adventure in mind, and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re coming off the trails near Bridge of the Gods or just exploring the Gorge with your kids, this spot is the ideal place to unwind, refuel, and take in those incredible river views.


This is one of our favorite stops when we are hiking in the Columbia Gorge area. The restaurant/ Brewery is beautiful and who can resist a staircase that reminds you of Dog Mountain? Love it!

Always the more difficult ! Love this reference to Dog Mountain



They offer a great mix of food .. burgers to tofu ! We were pleased with the many choices and having such a large group it really was great we could all order something we liked.


Thunder Mountain Brewery Co perfectly captures what we love most about the Pacific Northwest: community, craftsmanship, and the great outdoors. Whether you’re winding down after a family hike or planning your next mountain adventure, this cozy brewery is the perfect place to raise a glass to good trails and great company.

hiking, pnw, travel

Wahclella Falls Trail

Wahclella Falls Trail is one of our top 10 hikes! I lost count of the waterfalls as we hiked in and out but everywhere I turned there was a waterfall . It is definitely the greatest Show in nature and it’s a perfect hike if you are wanting a quick hike with a great views.

It felt a little bit like we were in Jurassic World because of how beautiful and lush it was. Absolutely breathtaking! You get a little of everything with this hike .. rocky , inclines , bridges and so many waterfalls ❤️

Stats ⬇️

📍Wahclella Falls
🧭 Cascade Locks , Or
🥾 1.9miles RT ( we came in at 2.9)
🏔️ 308 ft elevation gain ( we gained 591)
⭐️ Stats based on AllTrails and Apple

Check out our reel ⬇️

hiking, pnw, travel

Pnw Hike ~ Otter Falls

This was one of our wettest hikes of the 2024 Season. I almost had a mutiny to not do it when we pulled up and it was still dark and pouring rain outside . So thankful for the friends who wouldn’t let me mutiny and encouraged me to still do it .


It was so dark we had to have headlamps on to start so I had to include our pic of starting the hike. You start by walking through the forest for a few miles and navigate a few water crossings. Keep going until you come to the Otter Falls sign and then you go to the left . There is a bit of a hill to navigate over and then you come to a beautiful hidden rock face waterfall .

Heart Rock.. my sweet friend has a gift for finding them

It still amazes me that there are these hidden waterfalls in nature . And yes! It was totally worth it!

STATS
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📍Otter and Big Creek Falls via Taylor River Trail
🧭 North Bend,Wa
🥾 9.5miles RT ( we came in at 9.06 )
🏔️ 902 ft elevation gain ( we gained 1000 )
⭐️ Stats based on AllTrails and Apple

Check out our reel of the hike ⬇️