This loop is well-suited to a shoulder season hike.   We often use this route in early March since most of the area is south-facing and has no trees.    Snow may linger under the north slope, but hikers can veer north around snow pockets.

There are many miles of double tracks in this area and so more posts on routes will be added in the future.   To do the Bachelor Pass loop, drive north through the Bachelor subdivision and continue north on the Lac du Bois Road.   Turn left at the curve right before Bachelor Hill.   If you see Bachelor Lake on your left, you have gone too far.   This side road provides access to the towers on top of Bachelor Hill.   Hikers can choose to hike up the road to the top of the hill, but a more enjoyable route is to go right around the hill.   Park a short ways down the road (near N50 43.581, W120 23.968).   Follow the double track west, staying close to the base of the hill.   As the track starts to come around the west side of the hill, watch for a track that leads north.   The junction is not always easy to see, but the old road winds gently up the slope to the north, passes through gate, and turns into a meadow on the northwest side of the hill.   Continue through the meadow and up a rise where it meets another side road.   the well-defined double track takes you back to the north end of Bachelor Lake.   You can either walk the road or skirt the lake back to your vehicle.   This loop takes about 1.25 hrs.

We have seen coyotes, hawks, grasslands birds (meadowlarks, killdeer, bluebirds, …) and deer in this area.   Wildflowers begin in March with the first meadow buttercups, and continue through the summer.   Ticks are most common in April-May, so check your clothing.   The area is treeless so this is a hot route in the summer.   The route is a good one in winter, but snowshoes may be required in January-February.