Peaches on the Snake River

Warm Springs Ranch is a family-owned u-pick 100-year-old fruit orchard in Whitman County right on the Snake River and now with delicious ripe peaches and the nicest people in the most beautiful place.

Traveling from Columbia or Walla Walla counties, head north on SR 12, continue north on SR 127 to SR 26 at the town of Dusty. Then head east for a few miles on SR 26 and make a right turn onto well-marked Penawawa Road. Stay on that nicely maintained mixed paved/gravel road for 12 miles, losing connectivity and enjoying the scenery as you continue to the Snake River. The orchard sign will be on your left (there are no other signs for the orchard on the road, but once you get on Penawawa Road, there is no risk of getting lost).

It can be a little tricky, but not all that hard, to get to if you choose to use your phone mapping or a Gazetteer to take shortcuts off SR 127. The gravel roads in the area do wind around occasionally unidentified.

The owners encourage visitors to bring boxes for the fruit they pick and purchase with cash or check. Peaches are $1.40 a pound. There is a bathroom, excellent drinking water, and an old-fashioned easy-going atmosphere.

History buffs should ask about the fascinating history of this place.

Warm Springs Ranch, 12804 Penawawa Road, LaCrosse, WA 99143. (Note: The orchard is not near LaCrosse, but that is how the zip code works.) (509) 397-2253 or (509) 397-3314.