Join CBWNPS member Emily Leist for a “forensic” wildflower hike/trip up the “Red Rock Ravine” trail of the Rattlesnake Mountain Slope Preserve.
Where: Rattlesnake Slope Trailhead (Hwy 225) If traveling from I-82 take the Benton City exit 96 and head north, through Benton City. Stay on the main road which turns into Horn Road/Highway 225. Just over 7 miles from I-82, you’ll see a gravel parking area on the left side. If traveling west from Richland on Highway 240 take the third exit on the roundabout to drive south on Highway 225 toward Benton City. Drive about 4 miles to the trailhead parking lot on the right. Parking requires a Discover Pass.
When: Sunday November 9th — We will gather at 9:00 AM at the trailhead and start hiking at 9:15 AM.
What to Expect:
The trip will take several hours (3 hours minimum, entirely dependent on our pace), bring snacks and water. Dress for the weather – bring gloves, a hat for your ears, and wear warm shoes. The ravine is shaded and somewhat sheltered from wind. The flats can be windy, but sunnier. We will be covering approximately 5 miles with an elevation gain of about 650 ft. The terrain is moderate with one or two steeper hills and a few sections of narrower trail. This will be more athletic than a standard wildflower walk. Walking sticks are recommended. Most wildflowers are expected to be dormant, although we may see some yarrow and hoary tansyaster in bloom. There will likely be some bird sightings, especially meadowlarks and horned larks. For the geology enthusiasts there are granite erratics and beautiful basalt formations. This will be a “forensic” wildflower hike as we will mainly be indicating where certain plants can be found in the spring. We will travel up the “Red Rock Ravine” which is the northernmost trail (marked in green on the graphic). Depending on the weather, our timing, and how the group feels we will either return through “Red Rock Ravine” or on the “Split the Difference” trail (marked in orange on the graphic). It is easy to get lost on the flats, and there is a potential for fog, so we will make a group decision at the halfway point and stay together.
All field trip participants will need to fill out a liability waiver:
