When the temperatures warmed up, the snow started to melt in the bottom of the valley.     Some areas had some ice, slush, or mud, but the most open areas dried more quickly.    At the end of January, the road to Cooney Bay was difficult, with deep puddles and mud.     The parking area was muddy and there was slush, ice, and mud along the rivershore to get past before it dried out on the beaches. 

The hike continued along the lakeshore to the top of the bluff.   

To the west, Battle Bluff stood out over Kamloops Lake.  

A few moments on the route are featured here.    Click an image for a lightbox view and a caption.  

the estuary

Tranquille River

going north

Cooney Bay

And, a few moments are also captured in a short video: