Tieton River Nature Trail — Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025

Somewhat eventful ~7 mile loop on the Tieton Nature Trail and up along the irrigation canal today. Started from the westernmost footbridge and headed west along the river to reach the irrigation canal, then east along the canal, eventually dropping back down to the main trail at the suspension bridge and back to the car. 

A warm but mostly cloudy day with the last vestiges of fall color fading along the canyon. I encountered several deer that appeared to be stuck in the canal. Not sure if there is a ramp somewhere that would allow them to exit. Just before dropping back down to the river, I heard a faint buzzing noise coming from just off the trail. I stopped and looked around for what I assumed was a wasp or some other insect when I spotted a small rattlesnake with its head raised about two feet in front of me. Not something typically on my radar for a hike in mid-November! While it's been warm, I was wearing a fleece jacket at the time so really quite bizarre. I grew up in Arizona and can't ever remember seeing an active rattlesnake in November before.