Park consisting of timberland on the northern slopes of Kamiak Butte, an "island," consisting of Precambrian quartzite projecting approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) above the surrounding wheat fields

How to Get There

Overview

Kamiak Butte County Park is located in Washington between the towns of Palouse and Pullman in Eastern Washington, near the border of Idaho. It is named after Chief Kamiakin of the Yakama tribe.

Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted

Most of the park's 298 acres (121 ha) consist of timberland on the northern slopes of Kamiak Butte. The mountain itself is an "island," consisting of Precambrian quartzite projecting approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) above the surrounding wheat fields. The reddish rocks once formed the bed of an ancient sea, and the grains of sand embedded in them can still be seen glittering in the sun.

The region's intensive wheat and lentil farming has made Kamiak Butte an important haven for indigenous plant and animal species. Over 170 plant species, 140 bird species, and 30 mammal species have been observed inside the park.

For most visitors, the park's chief attraction is the Pine Ridge Trail, a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) loop which begins at a parking area and climbs through evergreen forestland to an exposed ridge. The trail continues along the ridge, affording views of the surrounding Palouse country before dropping back into the forest. A short "summit spur" leads to the mountain's highest point - a rocky promontory on the west side with an elevation of 3,641 feet (1,110 m).

Other amenities include an amphitheater, picnic tables, outdoor grills, covered shelters, restrooms, and a playground.

Kamiak Butte, together with Steptoe Butte, is a National Natural Landmark, and Pine Ridge Trail is listed as a National Recreation Trail within the National Trails System.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Kamiak Butte", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0