We have hiked in the hills above Walhachin a few times and we returned to do a loop route in April this year.   Access is off a side road that climbs south into the hills west of Walhachin.   There are several possible routes on double tracks, single tracks, and off-trail in the area.   We chose one that followed a double track that climbs to the Pennie Lake area, but rather than climb into the trees, we veered off on another double track back down to the main road, then we picked an eclectic route, following cattle trails and game trails over and around the hills and ponds on the benchland above the Thompson River.

The lower slopes are dry, sagebrush grasslands with rounded rocky hills.   The Cache creek Hills stand above the river valley to the northwest.

We chose a route that purposely went along spring ponds to see the grasslands birds and waterfowl.   Many of these ponds will dry out mid-summer.

Seasonal meltwater accumulates in low spots.   The lowest sheltered spots become a riparian zone, but much of the area around the pond will dry into uplands meadows.

We stopped for lunch atop a hill and enjoyed the view down to the Thompson River.

Many of the hills had larger gullies separating them, so we chose a few that allowed a moderate, winding route past ponds.

Our route was about 8 km, but different variations of 5 to 15 km could be done in this area.

We plan to return in the fall for a different loop farther east, exploring the uplands hills above Walhachin.