This was a great little hike. I like to do it when the spring warms up enough to wake up the snakes, and this trip was the best yet. I saw Western rattlesnakes, garter snakes, gopher snakes, and my first Western racer. I also saw ravens, hawks, quail, and ground squirrels. This wildlife enthusiast was one super happy hiker!
The flowers are out there, but are not yet at their peak in this canyon. I saw a few clumps of balsamroot, a couple lupines and a few other pretty flowers. It's probably going to be extra pretty in a week or two (hiked 4/14). The geology out here is beautiful too - eroding basalt cliffs colored with lichens.
If you go on this hike, I do strongly recommend not bringing children or pets. Not only is there a healthy population of rattlesnakes, but there have been ticks here every time I've visited. I did bring one home with me unknowingly, but luckily it was not attached to me UGH!
This land is the traditional territory of the Yakama, škwáxčənəxʷ (Moses-Columbia), Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla people.
21 окт 2024
