September 17, 1 pm - 3 pm Fall Farm Tour
$5.00 Out of stock Quantity: 1 Add to Bag Product Details 2 hour Fall Farm Tour includes: apple cider pressing demonstration, a short introduction to Apple Farming, parking, and picnic site! $5 per person age 4 - adult; kids 3 and under are free to accompany a paying adult. Apple picking is not included with your entry fee, but can be purchased on site with cash or credit card. $20 for a half peck bag. Important Info 1. All sales are final. No refunds or time/date transfers allowed. 2. Must be parked and checked-in 10 minutes prior to your reservation time. 3. Have proof of purchase ready upon arrival. 4. Pricing is based on admission for everyone in the group age 3 to adult. 5. Kids aged 3 and under are free to accompany a paying adult. Tickets No paper tickets will be sent. An order confirmation from Ecwid will be sent to the email address you provide. The order number in your email confirmation is all that is needed to check-in. Please double-check the accuracy of your email address before purchasing. Save this product for later Favorite My Account
What to Expect on Your Fall Farm Tour
Your two-hour guided visit to Crosscut Farm & Orchard is designed to be a relaxed, hands-on introduction to small-scale apple growing in the Pacific Northwest. From the moment you check in at the farm stand, you'll be welcomed by a member of our family team who will orient you to the property, point out the restroom facilities, and let you know where to gather for the start of the tour. The tour begins promptly at the reserved time, so arriving early enough to park and check in is essential. The walking route covers gently sloping terrain and packed gravel paths; comfortable closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended, especially if the ground is damp from morning dew or recent rain.
During the tour, you'll move through several distinct areas of the orchard, including our heritage apple block, the modern high-density planting, and the cider apple section. Our guide will explain how we manage the trees throughout the year, from dormant pruning in late winter to thinning and pest monitoring in summer. You'll learn about the differences between dessert apples, cooking apples, and cider apples, and why certain varieties thrive in our microclimate. The tour is conversational and questions are encouraged at any point. Children are welcome, and we make a point of tailoring explanations so that younger visitors stay engaged—whether that means counting apple blossoms, looking for beneficial insects, or sniffing a freshly split cider apple.
Because this is an active working farm, you may see equipment, irrigation lines, and fruit bins in use. We ask that all guests stay with the group and follow the guide's instructions around any machinery or uneven ground. The tour concludes at the picnic site, where you're welcome to enjoy any food or drink you've brought, or simply rest and take in the view of the orchard rows and surrounding hills. Seating is limited to a few picnic tables, so you may wish to bring a blanket if your group prefers to sit on the grass.
Apple Cider Pressing Demonstration
One of the highlights of the Fall Farm Tour is the apple cider pressing demonstration, which takes place at our outdoor pressing station. You'll see how we wash and grind apples, then press them using a traditional rack-and-cloth press. The process is simple but satisfying: whole apples are fed into a grinder, the resulting pomace is wrapped in mesh cloths, and layers are stacked before pressure is applied. Fresh, unfiltered cider flows into a collection bucket, and you'll have the chance to taste the result if the pressing is part of your tour's schedule. Please note that cider availability depends on the ripeness of the apples and the weather; we cannot guarantee a tasting at every tour, but the demonstration itself always takes place.
We'll also talk about the difference between sweet cider and hard cider, and how the same apple varieties can be used for both. If you're interested in trying your hand at home cider making, our guide can point you toward a few beginner-friendly resources and explain which of our apple varieties tend to make the best single-variety cider. The pressing demonstration lasts about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on questions and group size, and it's an excellent opportunity to see farm equipment in action without any of the noise or complexity of larger commercial operations.
Planning Your Visit: Parking, Check-In, and What to Bring
Parking is included with your reservation and is located in the gravel lot directly across from the farm stand. The lot can accommodate standard passenger vehicles, and overflow parking is available along the farm lane when the main lot is full. Please do not park on the grass or block any gates or driveways. Once parked, proceed to the check-in table near the entrance to the picnic area. You'll need your order number from your Ecwid confirmation email; a digital copy on your phone is perfectly fine. Check-in closes 10 minutes before the tour start time, and late arrivals cannot be accommodated, so plan your drive accordingly—especially on weekends when local traffic can be unpredictable.
We recommend bringing a water bottle, sun protection, and a light layer, as the orchard can be breezy even on warm afternoons. If you plan to purchase apples after the tour, a reusable bag or small tote is handy, though we do provide paper bags for U-pick purchases. Cash and credit cards are accepted at the farm stand, and U-pick bags are sold on site at $20 for a half peck. There is no ATM on the property, so please bring cash if you prefer not to use a card. Restrooms are portable units located near the picnic area; handwashing stations are available nearby.
U-Pick Options and Apple Varieties
While apple picking is not included in the tour fee, many guests choose to extend their visit by purchasing a U-pick bag after the tour. The half peck bag holds approximately 5 to 6 pounds of apples, depending on variety, and is available for $20. U-pick rows are marked with variety signs and color-coded flags, and our staff will point you toward the rows that are ready for picking on the day of your visit. We ask that you pick only from designated rows and handle the fruit gently to avoid bruising. Children are welcome in the U-pick area, but please supervise them closely around ladders and picking poles.
The varieties available for U-pick change throughout the season. In mid-September, you can often find Gala, Honeycrisp, and early Fuji, along with a few heirloom varieties like Gravenstein and Cox's Orange Pippin. Cider apple varieties such as Kingston Black and Dabinett may also be available for those interested in home cider making. Because ripening times shift with the weather, we cannot guarantee specific varieties on any given date, but our staff will give you an up-to-date list at check-in. If you have your heart set on a particular apple, feel free to ask before purchasing a U-pick bag.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tour
- Is the tour wheelchair accessible? The main paths are packed gravel and generally firm, but some sections have a moderate slope. We are happy to discuss specific accessibility needs in advance; please contact us before booking to see if the route will work for your group.
- Can I bring my dog? For the safety of our livestock and other guests, pets are not permitted on the farm, with the exception of service animals as defined by the ADA.
- What happens if it rains? Tours run rain or shine. The pressing demonstration is under a covered area, but much of the walking tour is outdoors, so please dress for the weather. In the event of severe weather, we will contact you by email about any changes.
- Are strollers allowed? Yes, strollers with larger wheels handle the gravel paths best. Please be aware that some rows in the orchard may be too narrow for wide strollers.
- Can I take photos? Absolutely! We love seeing your photos. Please tag us on social media and be respectful of other guests' privacy.
Extend Your Farm Experience
If you enjoy the Fall Farm Tour, consider joining us for one of our other seasonal events. Our U-pick and demonstration sessions offer a more hands-on apple picking experience, while additional farm tours are scheduled throughout September and October. For example, the September 16, 10 am - 12 pm Fall Farm Tour covers the same ground at a cooler time of day, and the September 16, 3 pm - 5 pm Fall Farm Tour offers a late-afternoon option. If you're looking for a midweek visit, the September 21, 10 am - 12 pm Fall Farm Tour is a great choice. For those who want to combine a tour with U-pick, our October 1st U-pick and Demo 1 PM -3PM and October 1st U-pick and Demo 3 PM -5PM sessions are popular. Whichever event you choose, we look forward to sharing the orchard with you.