Rattlesnake Slope Hike . A fine sunny day with temperatures going up to 50 degrees brought out 17 hikers, including two first-timers and a visitor. We enjoyed the far-flung views of the wide bunchgrass prairies and the chain of Rattlesnake Ridges, and had some interesting discussions about the geological history of the area. The lunch break was among the dried up remnants of somebody's long ago attempt to start a sub-irrigated orchard out in the middle of the prairie. On our return loop down the canyon we spotted two mule deer resting up on a high bench; they were lying down and didn't bother to get up, probably thinking we couldn't see them.