With mild weather in the latter half of winter, the lower south-facing hills dried out and some of the hills offered good early-season hiking.    From the first parking area I hiked on double tracks up over a series of steep hills.    There were some muddy areas, but it was easy to go around them.    

The Batchelor Range extends from the Batchelor Hills Subdivision out to the far end of Westsyde, near McQueen Creek.    We can hike up and down across a few hills from the south.    Open sagebrush and grassland hills with ATV tracks extend for about 10 km north.   

From the highest hill at the southern end of the range are fine 360 degree views.    

The southeast corner of the hills overlooks the Halston Bridge area with the Paul Creek Valley beyond.  

A few images of the hike are shared here.    Click an image for a lightbox view and a caption.

on the way up

the steepest hill

past the pipeline

from the top of the hill looking up the N. Thompson Valley

old junipers on the hillside

on the way back

looking west toward Mara Mountain

southeast to Halston Bridge and Mt. Paul

And, some video footage is now featured on YouTube: