Horse Rock Ridge facts for kids
Horse Rock Ridge is a special ridgetop in Oregon, located on the western side of the Cascade Range mountains, close to a town called Crawfordsville, Oregon. This place is famous for having a huge variety of plants. You can find plants that usually grow in the Willamette Valley here, as well as plants that prefer the mountain areas of the Cascade Range. There are even some plants that are more often seen on the eastern side of the Cascade Range!
The Horse Rock Ridge Research Natural Area (RNA) is a protected area. It is looked after by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which is a government agency that manages public lands. The BLM has given Horse Rock Ridge two special titles: it's a Research Natural Area (RNA) and an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). This means it's a very important place for nature and science.
The land at Horse Rock Ridge goes from about 1,550 feet (472 m) high to 2,864 feet (873 m) high. That's quite a climb!
Contents
Exploring Horse Rock Ridge
Horse Rock Ridge is a great place to visit if you love nature and hiking. It offers amazing views and a chance to see unique plants.
Hiking Trails and Views
There's a fun hiking trail on Horse Rock Ridge that takes you to some incredible viewpoints. From the trail, you can see famous mountains like the Three Sisters, Mount Jefferson, and other tall peaks in the Cascade Range. It's a perfect spot for taking photos and enjoying the fresh air.
Why Horse Rock Ridge is Special
Horse Rock Ridge is important because it has so many different kinds of plants. This is called biodiversity. It's like a natural outdoor classroom where scientists can study how different plants grow together. The special titles given by the BLM help make sure this unique place is protected for future generations to enjoy and learn from.