I hiked the Pineview and Ironmask Hills for almost 30 years before the mountain bike community started to bike the old tracks.      They rapidly added more trails and then negotiated an agreement with landowners/lease holders on the rights to develop the area for mountain biking.   Concurrent with this was the development of Pineview Valley.   It was grazing land with marshy Python Lake, fences, corrals, and old mine works on the hill.   In the 1980’s there was still a small mining operation on the hillside.     The trail system passes by some of the old mine sites and shacks.    It is now an “official” bike trail system (more information).   Hikers can still use the trails but must be careful with bikes coming down the downhill areas.   There are still the old double tracks to Coal Hill and the Ironmask Hills, but they are not all in the bike trail system.

Driving Directions and Access Trails:

Trailforks has fine maps of the trailheads and bike trails.   Go to this link for more information.

1. Hugh Allan Drive

Drive to the west end of Hugh Allan Drive.   This is a mountain bike trailhead.   A single track climbs the hill ahead and there are several side trails.   Follow newly-named and signed Mikes Trail to go higher.

2. Python Lake

This is not officially part of the bike trail system.   The route angles up from the end of Python Lake to a double track.   These old mine roads climb all the way to the top of Coal Hill.   Single tracks designed by mountain bikers go off in both left and right.     This is a good option for hikers.

3. Lac le Jeune Frontage Road – This route follows a short double track, then veers right onto a single track which goes around the Trans Mountain Pipeline fenceline and starts to climb the hill.   A double track goes all the way to the top of the hill, a good route for uphill riding or hiking.   Single tracks go off to the right, but are for mountain bikers or hikers.   Once up the hill there are various route options.

4. Lac le Jeune Road (Ironmask Hills access) – This trailhead starts on a sideroad off the Lac le Jeune Road (on the left less than 1 km past the trailer park).    This is a seasonal access trailhead (summer and fall only).  Some of the trails on the south end have been recently removed from use.

Hiking

• The best choices for hiking trails are up Coal Hill on double tracks or onto the Ironmask Hills area from the Lac le Jeune Frontage Road.
• The view on top of Coal Hill is very nice, but making all the right turns is not easy.   The new signage will help.   With all the right choices, it is possible to follow double tracks all the way to the top, but most hikers will use double tracks on the bottom and single tracks near the top.   Access has been changing every few years so adjust your route if you find fences and signage.
• There are many unsigned tracks so it may take some time to get to know the best routes up the hills.
• Python Lake to the top of Coal Hill and back is about 9 km return with an elevation gain of 352 m (1155 feet).
• A good loop into the Ironmask Hills past Galaxie Lake and back is about 11.5 km and has an elevation gain of 258m (846 feet).
• Hiking these trails in biking season is okay, but the hikes are quieter, safer, and less busy off season.

Some Ironmask/Pineview Images:

Coal Hill 010r

Coal_Hill_Area

Ironmask West 004

Ironmask Snowshoe 010

Ironmask Snowshoe 018

Ironmask Snowshoe 033

ironmask mine

Galaxie Lollipop 009bc

The view from Ironmask Hill

Ironmask 021r

coming down the north slope

Ironmask Snowshoe 036

More Information:

• Coal Hill
• West Ironmask Hills
• I have been hiking in the area since 1978, so there are decades of exploration in the area.    Use the Search Bar to find more articles on Pineview, Coal Hill, and the Ironmask Hills.