Sharing the Fascinating Ice Age Floods Story Since 1995
The annual IAFI Membership Meeting is coming to the Columbia Gorge this May 2-3, 2025, and all our members and their guests are cordially invited to come experience some of the best and most interesting features the Gorge has to offer. There’ll be opportunities to explore storied Gorge wildflowers and native plants, geology and winery field trips, whitewater rafting, a membership meeting/dinner and a presentation by the ever-entertaining Nick Zenter.
**REGISTER HERE!** Check-in at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center each day begins at 8:30 AM **REGISTER HERE!***
Friday, May 2nd, will be action packed with activities during the day. Choose between a guided Spring Wildflower Walk, a Journey Through Terroir field trip, an Unveiling the Gorge field trip, or opportunities (available every day) for full-day or half-day adventure whitewater raft trips on the Klickitat or White Salmon Rivers with Wet Planet Rafting, a local world-class rafting company. Spaces on the Friday activities will be limited, but if there is sufficient waitlist interest they may be repeated on Sunday, May 4, extending the celebration to a full 3 days. The evening will feature our members meeting and dinner, followed by an entertaining and informative presentation by the inimitable Nick Zenter exploring and geolocating J Harlan Bretz’s field notes.
Note: The Columbia Gorge in May can be warm/cool, dry/wet, calm/windy, and some tours will involve roadside off/on the bus stops and short walks, so dress appropriately and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Spring Wildflower Walk – On Friday, May 2nd, prepare to be captivated as Barbara Robinson, a renowned native plants expert, leads you on a spectacular Wildflower Walk through Tom McCall Preserve on the Rowena Plateau. Located in the transition zone between the moist, heavily-forested west side of the Cascades and the drier bunch grass prairies of the east, the easy Plateau Trail immerses you in a vibrant tapestry of springtime wildflowers that cover grasslands full of arrowleaf balsamroot, lupine, bachelor’s button, and other spectacular wildflowers blooming at your feet. You’ll meander through breathtaking panoramas of the Columbia River Gorge unfolding before you, imagining the raw power of nature that created the enigmatic mound-and-swale topography and kolk pond landforms sculpted by ancient forces of volcanic eruptions and Ice Age floods that flowed 200 feet above your head. You’ll meet Barbara at the Rowena Crest parking circle at 11:00 AM, Friday. May 2nd (Google Maps link). Spaces are limited so reserve your place today ($10 members/guests, $25 general public) for your chance to experience an unforgettable magical adventure on the Rowena Plateau. Remember to stay on marked trails, dress for probable strong winds, avoid poison oak, and that dogs are not permitted. Read more…
Embark on a Journey Through Terroir – Experience the magic of the Columbia Gorge Wine Region with renowned soil scientist and vineyard consultant, Alan Busacca. This exclusive bus tour takes you deep into the heart of this unique region, where dramatic landscapes and diverse microclimates create wines of extraordinary character. You’ll visit stunning vineyards, sample award-winning wines, and uncover the fascinating science behind their unique flavors. Learn how volcanic soils, extreme rainfall gradients, and powerful winds all contribute to the distinctive taste of each wine. From lush, forested hillsides to sun-drenched high-desert slopes, this is your chance to experience the incredible diversity of this “World of Wine in Forty Miles.” and taste the sensory adventure of the Columbia Gorge firsthand. May 2nd, 10:00 AM, limited to 22 seats. Reserve your place today!($35 members/guests, $50 general public) Read more…
Unveiling the Gorge – The walls of the Columbia Gorge expose layer upon layer of similar appearing Columbia River Basalt. But exposed within those walls are features that tell unusual stories of geologic events, cultural history and inspire imaginative tales. On this field trip we’ll stop and discuss many of those features and their stories as we do a 50-mile bus loop through some of the most spectacular scenic vistas the Gorge has to offer. Maars, lahars, pillows, petroglyphs, even an exotic side trip, plus much more will expand your vision and tickle your imagination. Lunch at a scenic overlook (order a box lunch or bring your own) May 2nd, 10:00 AM, limited to 33 seats. Reserve your place today! ($35 members/guests, $50 general public) Read more…
Whitewater Rafting Excitement Awaits! – For the adventurous spirit, experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on the iconic Wild & Scenic White Salmon or Klickitat Rivers. Enjoy half-day or full-day trips with experienced guides who ensure a safe and exciting journey for all skill levels. Navigate thrilling Class II-IV rapids, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Glide through crystal-clear waters fed by the glaciers of Mt. Adams, surrounded by thick pine forests, steep canyons, and majestic basalt cliffs. Escape the crowds and immerse yourself in the true wilderness of the Pacific Northwest. Trips available daily through Wet Planet Rafting (White Salmon 1/2-day $86, Klickitat full-day $125)
Membership Gathering, Dinner and Special Presentation – The evening will begin with a guided native plants tour guided by Barbara Robinson around the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center grounds and an opportunity to visit the museum’s displays. Then we’ll gather in the auditorium for the membership meeting, followed by a buffet pasta dinner in the Discovery Center’s Basalt Rock Cafe. Reserve your meal now.
Afterward we’ll return to the auditorium for the high point of the evening, the main presentation of the evening by the amazing Nick Zenter about his recent collaboration work to document and share the field notes and journal revelations of J Harlan Bretz. Reserve your place today! ($10 members/guests, $25 general public)
Ice Age Floods Gorge Geology Field Trip – Explore evidence of the Ice Age Floods in the Columbia Gorge with guidance from USGS geologists Jim O’Connor and Richard Waitt. This field trip will examine the geology of the Columbia River Gorge, especially the effects of the Ice Age Missoula floods, examining key sites and discussing the latest research. Learn more about the Missoula Floods, explore dramatic flood landforms, and enjoy beautiful vistas, lunch at the Deschutes River Park (order a box lunch or bring your own), and a no-host afternoon recap at Maryhill Winery. May 3rd, 9:00 AM. Limited seats available. Book your seat today! ($45 members/guests, $60 general public)
Friday’s field trips may be repeated IF they’re filled early and there’s enough waitlist interest.
But there’s plenty more to see and do in the Gorge to keep you fascinated and engaged for another day.
Visit iconic Multnomah Falls (I-84 access only) and spectacular Vista House at Crown Point overlook.
Visit Timberline Lodge, a stunning 1930’s CCC project, on the snowy upper flanks of Mt. Hood.
Travel the Hood River Fruit Loop or ride the Mt Hood Railroad
Hike one (or more) of the innumerable and spectacular Gorge hiking trails
Take Windsurfing and Kiteboarding lessons or just watch the action
Enjoy fine dining, artisan wineries, breweries, museums and shops throughout the Gorge.
There’s so much more to see and do that we can’t even begin to list it all.
We’ve compiled an extensive list of local lodging (hotels, motels and campgrounds) in the Gorge.
Note: frequent trains on both sides of the river noisily ‘flex’ their horns at every unprotected crossing, day and night.
Ice Age Floods Institute is a registered non-profit educational organization devoted to publicly sharing the ice age floods story.
All article images on this website are used under Creative Commons license for educational purposes only and no profit is derived.
Visit us at Facebook, Mastodon and our YouTube Channel.
Ice Age Floods Institute is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit EIN 91-1658221
Donations and member fees may be tax deductible
Refund and Returns Policy Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions