We hiked the trails that start at the end of Uplands and McLeod Road in Barnhartvale.   The main access is along a gas line track, but many single tracks run up into the hills or down onto the grasslands bench.   There are no signs, but the area is open and easy to explore.   We did a 5.2 km hike, mostly in the grasslands.  The routes start in the forest, bearing west.

We veered northwest onto the open benchland following single tracks.

There was a grass fire on the benchland some years ago and there are still some standing snags and burnt sagebrush skeletons on the grassland slopes.

We hiked to the northwest corner of the benchlands at a good viewpoint up and down the valley.

We looped along the benchlands in an easterly direction.

We hiked single tracks with some out-and back, then down a gully toward the golf course.

Any longer hike in the area will require going through some of the gullies.   The rocky hills to the south rise above the Uplands benches.

We hiked to the northeast corner of the benchland and stopped to enjoy the views down the river valley.

Our route concluded with a climb back up toward the trailhead, with Sunrise and Sunset Mountains looming above.

These trails are pleasant and inviting in spring and summer, but are too open on a hot day in summer.  We will be back in spring again for another route from the Uplands trailhead.

A rough map of the single track trails on the benchland is provided here:

More Information:

• Uplands Trails