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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., September 1, 1910, page 1

TROUT LAKE RESOURCES

The Lake is Becoming Famous For Its Produce as Well as a Resort For Wealthy Bachelors.
New Settlers Are Coming In and Real Estate is Increasing In Value.
(By Mrs. J.W. Filloon)

Guler, Wash., Sept. 1 -- Trout Lake lies at the upper end of the famous White Salmon valley. It is really an extension of the latter, in western Klickitat County, Washington. Trout Lake is famous for its beautiful scenery which is unrivaled as to its many natural wonders. One of the most sought summer resorts in the West is located here. This valley in 25 miles from the Columbia River, easily accessible by daily stage or automobiles. The road leading from White Salmon is excellent, being routed along the White on the White Salmon River, all the way through forests of fir and pine, thus affording shade to the wayfarer nearly the entire distance. On entering the valley the traveler is pleasantly surprised at the beautiful view which presents itself in the way of clover meadows and level fields of grain. Irrigation ditches carry a large flow of water to all the cultivated lands and the scenery is charming. Sleek cattle browse on clover meads and a general air of prosperity is noted on all sides. Young orchards in bearing, older ones in a thrifty condition and young trees just planted tell the story that those planting them have an unbounded confidence in the future of the higher land as orchard producers. Trout Lake has an altitude of 1900 feet but at an elevation of 2510 feet orchards thrive and bear an excellent quality of pears and apples as well as strawberries. This shows that the higher levels will be sought for orchards. The lower altitudes will be used for dairying as they have been for the past 20 years. Being on the east slope of the Cascade range of mountains, Trout Lakers hewed their homes from the forest primeval. They did not set out large orchards and did not study into what varieties of fruit were best suited to the soil and climate but they planted trees that thrived and are bearing at this time. A new citizenry is rapidly supplanting the old. The soil and climate have been studied and it has been found that no where has the Valley been surpassed by the excellent flavor or coloring in the apples that suit the locality. Apples keep well in this climate and will ship well. It is the intention of the settlers here to clear more land and plant larger acreage next Spring, to commercial orchards. More than 3000 acres of land have been cleared in Trout Lake Valley and more is being cleared at this time. The growing of hay has been the main feature for several years in this valley when dairying has been carried on and an excellent quality of creamery butter made at the local butter factory. The highest market price has always been paid the farmer for butter fat. The butter made is shipped to Portland where it finds a quick sale. Five tons to the acre of the finest kind of clover and timothy hay is the amount turned out as an average of each year's output. Free water for irrigation purposes is one of the things the Trout Lake farmer takes great pride in, for the meadows everywhere in the Valley are irrigated from Trout Creek and White Salmon River, the only expense in the system being in the up-keep of ditches and laterals. Water flows to nearly every ranch in the Valley for use of the farmer in growing hay. The high land does not require irrigation for orchards. About two billion feet of high class timber, consisting of yellow pine, and Douglas fir and there is a fair amount of white pine, cedar, larch and cottonwood. Two mills are in operation. For years miners have delved the earth in the foothills searching for gold which, they say, they know is there. Gold, silver, and copper have their footprints so that the experts have stated their confidence that metals will be found in paying quantities in the future. Immense water power exists in Trout Lake Valley that has not been put to any use. On Trout Lake Creek and the White Salmon River as they flow through the Valley is enough water power for all purposes that will ever be needed. The fall of both these streams is very pronounced in several places drops of 50 feet in the course of 200 or 300 yards. Thousands of horse power could easily be developed. Two surveys for a railway have been made from the Columbia River to Trout Lake. The grade is easy, being only 1 and 1/2 percent. When the line is built it will bring Portland within 75 miles of Trout Lake. This has always been a summer resort and now bids fair to be a winter resort as well. It is expected that a toboggan slide and skating rink will be arranged for before another year. A grade school is in force in this place and various secret organizations are represented. A village with about 20 fine residences occupies the center of the valley. Here is a church, two stores, an amusement hall, a hotel, restaurant -- a very pleasant place to cast one's lot. A long distance telephone connection with the outside lines may be had at any time. Local Trout Lake valley lies in the fruit belt between Mount Hood in Oregon and the beautiful Mount Adams in Washington. The air is cooled by night and tempered through the day to just the right degree for the production of perfect fruit. No pests have ever annoyed the orchards in this valley. Never has a spray pump been used and it is believed that it will be unnecessary for one for years to come, if ever. Hood River and the Trout Lake - White Salmon Valley are directly opposite to each other, with Mt. Hood at one end and Mount Adams at the other. The Columbia River winds its way between the two valleys. This constitutes the famous apple belt of the world. In no other country are conditions the same. Soil and climate are identical in the Hood River and the entire White Salmon - Trout Lake Valleys. The volcanic soil combined with the atmospheric conditions make of this one of the best apple and berry producers on the continent. Trout Lake Valley extends itself for about 12 miles from the north to south and continues to the higher elevations in the foothills of Mount Adams. Because of the lack of transportation large orchard tracts have not been made. The era of fruit growing is still in its infancy but the soil and climate are here for the commencement of orchard plantation. Land here is cheaper even than it will be next year. Orchard land maybe had for very little and it is offered cheaply because of the desire of the citizens to settle the valley with home builders at an early date. The valley was first settled by a splendid class of people from Switzerland who took kindly to this locality because of its similarity to their native land. The way to reach this valley, with its volcanic wonders and its progressive, thrifty people, is by way of White Salmon, which you reach by the North Bank railroad, or by river boat. From White Salmon you can either take a daily stage or an automobile and ride along the wonderful White Salmon River that winds and rushes from the snow clad Mount Adams for a distance of about 30 miles. When you arrive here you must see the wonderful caves. They are among the most beautiful and awesome in the world. Some are filled with ice and others, with lave formations. You must see the wonderful forests in Uncle Sam's domain as well as those owned by private individuals. Trout fishing is always good and you must cast your line in the lake and stream and you must, to complete your outing trip, after seeing the valley ranches, sleep beneath the shadow of Mount Adams and realize what it is to breathe pure mountain air. Should you want to climb the mountain, a responsible guide will be available. If you are looking for a location or for business, visit Trout Lake.-- Mrs. J.W. Filloon.