South of Dusty the country begins to level out between diminishing and receding hills. For several miles the highway follows Alkali Creek, dry except during spring freshets. Then hills begin again, low-lying and planted to wheat or left fallow. Since this section of Whitman County is swept by strong southwesterly winds, strip farming is widely practiced. The hills grow steeper, and the highway twists and turns as it descends a steep grade. Some of the slopes are too steep to cultivate; here cattle and sheep graze. Sagebrush begins to appear, and here and there are rocky cliffs and ledges.