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Columbia Basin: A region of natural and industrial wonders

World photo/Mike Bonnicksen Nicholas Atherton, at right, rides a scooter on a new boat dock as he checks out the new on-island boat launch with his dad Derrick and friend Jerett Rodwell in Riverbend Park at Crescent Bar. The Atherton’s of Maple Valley, have been coming to the island for 30 years, where family members have a home.

The Columbia Basin

“Forged by ancient lava flows and then scoured by the Lake Missoula Ice Age Floods, Grant County has some of the most uncommon and beautiful topography found anywhere on Planet Earth. With more than 140 lakes and reservoirs Grant County offers world-class fishing, hunting, hiking trails and camping.” — tourgrantcounty.com

Spread across the southwestern half of the state, the Columbia Basin is a vast region filled with broad swatches of blue sky, deep coulees and volcanic buttes. Though the region is best known for its hydropower and crops, it is so much more than that. The Columbia Basin of Washington is home to unique natural landmarks, historic sites and plenty of options for entertainment.

Dams are the life support of the Basin, bringing much-needed water to crops and — along with the region’s many wind farms — providing a low-cost power source that serves clients around the world.

More than 670,000 acres of the Columbia Basin are irrigated and the region is known for growing fruit, onions, beans, potatoes and more.

Things to do

Catch a concert at the

Gorge: Considered one of the “most scenic concert venues in the world,” according to Tour Grant County’s website, the Gorge Amphitheatre plays host to world-renowned performers — and of course, spectacular views. Seated on the lip of the Columbia River, it is a concert venue like no other, with seating for 20,000 and breathtaking views of sheer basalt cliffs.

Attend Farmer Consum-

er Awareness Day: Head to Quincy the second Saturday in September for the annual Farmer Consumer Awareness Day and enjoy live entertainment, arts and crafts, a cook-off and local delicacies, among many other things.

Check out Ancient Lake

Tasting Room Hours: Friday-Sunday ~ Noon to 5pm Located above Three Lakes. Take Malaga-Alcoa Hwy., right at West Malaga Rd., follow the Wine Country signs and turn left on Cathedral Rock Rd. 3450 Cathedral Rock Road, Malaga WA • (509) 679-0152 MalagaSpringsWinery.com Malaga Springs Winery (Visitor’s Guide) Full Color Kathy—No Proof—RD

Falls near Quincy: The Ancient Lakes Loop Trail is a popular hiking spot for adventurers. The 4.6 miles of trail is set in a dramatic landscape of high plateaus, steep cliffs and deep canyons. At the end of your hike, you will be rewarded by a desert oasis — the Ancient Lakes and falls. The area is also a perfect spot for mountain biking, fishing, horseback riding and hunting.

Take a mud bath on the

shores of Soap Lake: The mineral-rich water of Soap Lake has drawn tourists since the early 1900s for its reported medicinal properties. It is said that rival tribes would call a truce when visiting the area to bathe. While you may not have to call a truce with other swimmers, you can still enjoy a rejuvenating dip or lather yourself in frothy mud.

Get up close with a giant

wind turbine: Chances are, you’ve seen wind farms while driving through Washington state. But you may not realize just how big those turbines really are. If you visit Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center on Whiskey Dick Mountain, you will have a chance to get up close and personal with one of the best clean, renewable energy producers around.

Sip a little wine: Washington is known for its wine and Grant County produces some of the best of it. If you are into wine, you won’t want to miss the Jones of Washington tasting room in Quincy — or any of the other wineries and microbreweries located throughout the region.

Hang 10 on the surfing

simulator: Moses Lake’s Surf ‘n’ Slide Water Park, with its surfing simulator, two 200-foot-long water slides, and 300-foot Lazy River is a must-visit for any water lover.

Live the island life at

Crescent Bar: At Crescent Bar you’ll find a resort, golf, tennis, fishing and water sports. Camping is also available on the shores of the Columbia.

Check out the stamped-

ing metal ponies: Wild Horse Monument sits on the crest of a hill roughly two miles east of the Vantage Bridge. Known as “Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies,” the collection of sculptures is visible from the freeway, but curious visitors can also take a quarter-mile hike to view the ponies up close.

Wanapum Heritage Cen-

ter: Located next to Priest Rapids Dam about five miles south of Mattawa, the Heritage Center teaches visitors about the history and culture of the Wanapum people. It is temporarily closed until further notice.

Lake Lenore Caves:

Explore the shallow caves on the shores of Lenore Lake and just north of Soap Lakes above Highway 17.

Ephrata’s Sage-N-Sun

Festival: If you are visiting Grant County on the second weekend of June, the Sage-NSun Festival promises a good time. The family-friendly event features activities, parades, live music, and good food.

Ginko Petrified Forest

State Park: Check out the petrified wood — Washington’s official state gem — at Ginko Petrified Forest State Park. The park is known for its rare, fossilized Ginko trees and features more than 30 varieties of petrified wood.

The Feathers: Watch rock climbers scale other-worldly basalt columns at the Feathers, a popular rock-climbing spot west of George near the rim of Frenchman Coulee.

Play a round of golf:

Lakeview Golf & Country Club is home to an 18-hole course located in Soap Lake. The course, which opened in 1950, features 6,638 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71.

World photo/Don Seabrook A farmer harvests his first cutting of alfalfa south of Ephrata under the watch of a bird.

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