Hitting the trails for ‘Chamnarama’ Santa scavenger hunt in Richland

Outdoor enthusiasts took to the paths at the Chamna Natural Preserve in Richland in search of hidden Santas on Friday.

James McCullough of Kennewick pedaled his mountain bike toward a conspicuously “hidden” decoration during the Chamnarama Santa Scavenger Hunt at the preserve.

His riding partner Lamar Linde of Kennewick followed him on the trail out of the preserve’s parking area.

Event organizer Heather Henderson said she started the event three years ago as way to get people outside and as an alternative to Black Friday shopping.

She said they placed about 150 Santa decorations and ornaments throughout the 276-acre park for walkers, bicyclists and other trail users to find during the event.

This year the event partnered with the Shrub Steppe Trails Alliance, a nonprofit group that works locally to secure local land use and trails while preserving the area’s unique ecology.

The Shrub Steppe Trails Alliance group held drawings as a fundraiser during the two-hour game.

Chamna Natural Preserve is a 276-acre park with more than 11 miles of trails winding through shrub-steppe, riparian, and wetland habitat.

Equestrians, bicyclists, hikers, bird-watchers and other trail users enjoy Chamna year-round.

Chamna Natural Preserve is along the Yakima River off Carrier Road in Richland south of Interstate 182.