We hiked a series of loop routes across the grasslands ridges and gullies, starting at the trailhead at the end of Uplands and McLeod Drive on the west side of Barnhartvale.   The trails start on the gasline and head west, with many single track junctions.    I had hiked there many times, so I knew a route that wound around the gullies, following rim trails above the gullies, providing a series of viewpoints along the way.   Most of the hike was in open grasslands.

A number of trails wind around the head of gullies or provide traverse routes to avoid going up and down too much.

Standing above the Uplands Trails are a number of steep forested hills, including Sunrise and Sunset Mountains.

At the northwest end of the trails we had fine views of the South Thompson River, the valley and Mt. Peter and Paul in the distance.

Near the northeast end we had views overlooking the river, the golf course, and Dallas.

Our route choice took us down one gully and up the other side for another loop.

The open benchlands were mostly dry in mid-November.    Although snows will cover the trails over the winter, many of the trails dry quickly (lower elevation and little tree cover) so we can return for more hiking routes over the winter and especially at the start of spring.

More Information:

• Uplands Trails
• Hiking the Uplands Trails