The Westsyde Bench route extends from the Batchelor Hills subdivision to Deep Lake.   A good single track starts right at the parking area by the cattleguard (at the south side) and winds around a ridge, then bends north passing by the new housing areas before joining double tracks on the relatively flat benchlands.   The route continues north past Oak Hills and much of Westsyde for 4.5 km.

The Batchelor Range rises above 325m (10006 feet) above the benchland trail.   The southern end hills are rock, grassland hills and the northern hills are treed.

Batchelor Range hills above	North Batchelor Range hills
a frozen waterfall off the Batchelor Range	the start of the trail

At  4.5 km, we reach the boundary of Lac du Bois Grasslands Provincial Park and the route forks.   The main route continues north but starts to climb into the hills.    For 1.3 km the trail gains about 125 m (400 ft) in elevation.   A hilltop on the right is a good place for lunch, enjoying the wonderful views down the North Thompson River Valley toward Kamloops.

from the hilltop, looking south down the North Thompson River

The route has moderate hilly terrain at the start, an easy middle section and a good hill a the end for a 12.5 km return hike.

The hike was quite dry by mid-March since it was open to the drying sun and winds.   The view from the hilltop makes the hike worth all the effort.

a panorama from the hilltop