Beezley Hills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beezley Hills |
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 Location in Washington (state)
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Monument Hill |
| Elevation | 879.7 m (2,886 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| Region | Eastern Washington |
| Range coordinates | 47°19′34″N 119°45′35″W / 47.32611°N 119.75972°W |
| Parent range | Yakima Fold Belt |
| Geology | |
| Type of rock | Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group |
The Beezley Hills are a group of hills in Washington, USA. They are located about 5 miles (8 km) north of Quincy in Grant County. The highest point in the Beezley Hills reaches about 2,882 feet (879.7 meters) high.
The city of Ephrata, Washington, which is at the eastern end of these hills, was once called Beezley Springs. It was named after Frank Beezley, a horse rancher who lived there.
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Exploring the Beezley Hills Geography
The Beezley Hills begin near the Columbia River and stretch for about 25 miles (40 km) towards Ephrata. They are part of a larger geological area called the Yakima Fold Belt. This belt is made up of many "anticlines," which are like large, upward-curving folds in the Earth's rock layers.
Just south of the Beezley Hills, you'll find the Frenchman Hills, which run in a similar direction. Between these two hill ranges is the Quincy Basin. This area is known for its rich farms and vineyards, where grapes are grown for wine. Major roads like Interstate 90 and Washington State Route 28 also pass through this basin.
Springs and Water Sources
Many natural springs can be found on the lower slopes of the Beezley Hills. Besides Ephrata (which used to be Beezley Springs), there are Baird Springs, Two Springs, and Willow Springs. The Grant County courthouse in Ephrata even uses a hot spring to heat its building. This is called geothermal heating.
Monument Hill: A High Point
Monument Hill is the highest spot in the Beezley Hills. It is also the second highest peak in Grant County, standing at 2,882 feet (879.7 meters). The very highest point in Grant County is a different peak, about 4 miles north of Monument Hill.
How the Hills Were Formed
The Beezley Hills played a role during the last Ice Age. They formed a northern barrier against the massive Missoula Floods. These floods were huge amounts of water that rushed across the land, shaping the landscape we see today. The water flowed through the Quincy Basin and over other ridges to reach the ocean.
Fun Activities and Nature Preserves
The Beezley Hills offer great places for outdoor activities and protecting nature.
Beezley Hills Recreation Area
The Beezley Hills Recreation Area is located near Ephrata, Washington. It opened in 2012 and has about 20 miles (32 km) of trails. These trails are perfect for hiking and biking.
The "Beezley Burn" is a popular annual mountain bike race held here. It's a cross-country competition that starts and ends in Ephrata. The course goes up about 500 feet (150 meters) into the eastern part of the Beezley Hills. There was also an earlier footrace with the same name in 2000.
Beezley Hills Preserve
The Beezley Hills Preserve is a large protected area covering 4,788 acres (1,938 hectares). It is part of an even bigger preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy. This larger area, which includes Moses Coulee, is about 30,000 acres (12,140 hectares).
These preserves are part of a huge "shrub-steppe" ecoregion. This type of land is similar in size to the island of Oahu in Hawaii. It is an important habitat for many plants and animals.
Plants and Animals of Beezley Hills
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The Beezley Hills Preserve is located in or next to the Channeled Scablands desert. This area in northern Grant County gets only about 10 to 15 inches (25 to 38 cm) of rain each year. Because of the dry climate, the preserve is home to many plants and animals that are adapted to desert conditions.
Cacti Species
You can find different types of cacti in the Beezley Hills. These include Pediocactus simpsonii, also known as the hedgehog cactus. Another type is Opuntia polyacantha, or prickly pear cactus. Some experts once thought this prickly pear was very rare or even nonexistent in Washington state.
The Pygmy Rabbit
The Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit is a very special animal that lives only in the Columbia Basin. It is listed as an endangered species in the United States. This means it is at risk of disappearing forever.
There is a big effort to help these rabbits recover. Groups like the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife are working together. The Beezley Hills area has been chosen as a key "recovery emphasis area" to help save these tiny rabbits.
