As winter progressed we had some milder days and over a few weeks, the snow and ice on south-facing lower slopes melted and ran off downhill.    The lower slopes of the Batchelor Hills are often the first to be clear of snow and ice.   On a cold day, the ground was frozen so I chose to start at one of the lower trailheads (0.6 km past the cattle guard parking area) and followed trails bearing west.

The lower slopes are covered by grasses and sagebrush with no trees.   Single tracks and double tracks wind across the gentle slopes.

Batchelor Hill rises above the trails on the north side with the top 237 m (778 feet) higher.

Wide views up and down the valley are unhindered by hills or trees.

I worked my way over to the hill on which Brock Beacon stands.  A small tower has a flashing light to aid airplanes headed for the airport.     There is a telecommunications tower on top of the hill now too.    To the west the hills rise and beyond Mara Mountain stands above the Batchelor Hills.

I hiked the out-and-back 5.4 km route, enjoying being on dirt in January.

This will be a good route again in March, one of the first areas to dry out and be free of snow, ice and then mud.