The Columbia River Gorge, carved by the Columbia River over thousands of years, serves as much of the boundary between Washington State to the north and Oregon to the south. The Gorge stretches for over 80 miles from the Columbia River Plateau to the Pacific Ocean, and provides the only navigable route through the Cascade Mountains. The Cascades, including Mount Hood on the Oregon side, rise up over 4,000 feet on either side of the Columbia River, but the Columbia River Gorge is at nearly sea level. The Gorge holds federally protected status as a National Scenic Area and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

The Columbia River Gorge features myriad recreational activities, from riverboat cruises, local winery tours, interpretive sites of Lewis and Clark, and exploring the area's many waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls, the second-highest year-round waterfall in the United States. The Gorge also offers a more usual variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, climbing, biking, and kayaking.

Columbia River Gorge - Stevenson - Weather - Packing

Stevenson

Stevenson, Washington, the county seat of Skamania County, is less than a mile's walk from Skamania Lodge. The town is home to fewer than 2,000 people, but still manages to boast a (sometimes open) brewery, an ice cream parlor, a grocery store, a coffee shop, several restaurants, and a local history museum.

Columbia River Gorge - Stevenson - Weather - Packing

Weather

Weather in the Columbia Gorge, and in Stevenson, varies from hot, windy summers perfect for windsurfers to icy, snowy winters. In the Pacific Northwest, rain is a given all year round. In October, you can expect the temperature to range from the upper 40s to low 60s Fahrenheit (about 7-17 C), with a chance of rain.

Columbia River Gorge - Stevenson - Weather - Packing

Packing

Before you leave for Stevenson, check the weather! We recommend sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes, and comfortable, casual layers so that you'll be at ease in air-conditioned meeting spaces or outside on the beautiful resort grounds at high noon. Be sure to pack a light jacket or umbrella (just in case); any prescription medications that you need; and your identification, credit/debit cards or cash, and your travel itinerary. You may want to bring snacks, pens, copies of books you're planning to discuss, business cards (even with just your blog or e-mail address, to share with friends), and if you'd like to dress up, something to wear to the Midnight Ball.

Columbia River Gorge - Stevenson - Weather - Packing