On a mid-March sunny day I hiked from the Tranquille – Criss Creek Road across the sidehill (above the tracks) and up a series of ridges through the sagebrush grasslands.  Each of the many ridges that run down to the lakeshore are separated by gullies, but there is a bench area above the gullies that traverses over to Battle Bluff.  

After about one kilometer of climbing the route leveled off and there was find views southeast to Cooney Bay and the Thompson River Delta. 

Battle Bluff was due west and Kamloops Lake extended southwest.  

During the hike I ran into two small herds of bighorn sheep and a few chukar.    All photos by the author.    Click an image for a lightbox view and a caption. 

old range fences on the way up.

rams above the trail

Mara Mountain to the east

Tranquille on the Lake

unconcerned bighorn rams

A video of the hike is also included here:

These ridges can also provide access over to Battle Bluff or over to several gullies that are known for fossil deposits.    The area has no trees so it is best hiked in the shoulder season.