The trails on the west side of the Pineview Trails system are in the Ironmask Hills and can be accessed from a parking area off the Lac le Jeune Road.   The trails have been designated for fat tire bikes and snowshoes.   Snowshoes help to pack down the trail for bikes without creating holes so this is a good partnership.   The named and signed trails are shown in blue on the map below.   On this day in late winter, the trails were perfect, but I chose to go off-trail, stomping paths between the trails with the goal of going along the hilltops in a loop.

There are some fine views from the hilltops, shown here in a gallery.   All photos taken by the author.   Click an image for a caption and a larger (lightbox view).   Subscriber to email posts can click this link to see the images.

IMG_7980 - On the way up the Ironmask Bluffs looking north

IMG_7982 - the view to the northwest from the Ironmask Hills

IMG_7983 - the view to the northeast

IMG_7984 - Greenstone Mountain to the west

IMG_7989 - on the Ironmask Hills looking into the sun

IMG_8000 - the view towards Chuwhels Mountain, looking into the sun

IMG_7977 - heading up into the rocky Ironmask Hills

There were many standing snags on the edges of the hills, standing like tall sculptures, shown here in a gallery.   All photos taken by the author.   Click an image for a caption and a larger (lightbox view).   Subscriber to email posts can click this link to see the images.

IMG_7996 - Stratus clouds above the snags

IMG_7997 - Ice crystals in the clouds above the hills

IMG_7999 - the filtered sun on snags and fallen snags

IMG_8001 = blue skies to the north

IMG_8002 - snags and newer trees on the slope break

IMG_8003 - a diagonal snag on the edge of the hil, looking north-northwest

IMG_8004 - a grand old ponderosa we call "pappy" adorned with lichen

IMG_7985 - "painted" version of a photo into the sun

We will be back to hike the Ironmask Trails once they clear of snow, ice, and mud.