Just five miles east of Hood River, Ponderosa pines, basalt cliffs and leafy cherry orchards welcome visitors to the little town of Mosier (pop. 437). Set on the Columbia River and with the Historic Columbia River Highway running through town, Mosier is a great destination for wine tasting, road biking and browsing historic sites.
Outdoor fun: Just west of town, follow a single lane gravel road under the train trestle to Rock Creek Park. Go for a swim off the petite beach, or, on a windy day, watch windsurfers and kiteboarders launch into the swell. Just up the road, find the start of the Mosier Twin Tunnels Trail, a 4.5-mile section of the historic highway that’s closed to car traffic and perfect for road biking and walking. Outside of town is the very picture-worthy Tom McCall Wildlife Preserve on the Rowena Crest Plateau, a spectacular hike and viewpoint that’s covered in wildflowers during spring.
Shop & Stroll: Check out The Dwelling Station, a home furnishing consignment store located in a vintage gas station. You’ll find a constantly changing selection of beautiful furniture. (Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday) In the store’s parking lot, browse the delightful bounty of local growers at the Mosier Farmers Market, which is held on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 19 through September 25.
Eat & Drink: Stop in at Rack & Cloth Mercantile, a small cidery, restaurant and store. The fresh, seasonal menu is created from what the owners grow on their nearby farm. From the little mercantile section you can buy produce, farm fresh eggs, local wines and coffee. (Open Thursday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to close) Just up the road, Thirsty Woman Pub has reopened to locals’ delight. In the summer, the pub hosts live music and open mic nights outside on the patio, making for the perfect place to hang out with a brew.
Fine Wines: Mosier is home to Garnier Vineyards at Mayerdale. Its tasting room offers sweeping views of the vineyards, the river and the rolling hills of Washington. Nearby, Analemma Wines tasting room — beautifully designed with reclaimed wood — sits amid cherry orchards and the undulating hills above the Gorge.
Extend your stay: Book a room at the Three Sleeps Vineyard B&B in Mosier, a Tuscan-style bed & breakfast overlooking an estate vineyard.
