On a cool, windy, and drizzly day I climbed the hills to the south with no set destination in mind.    The hike was about 6 km through douglas fir forest, grassland slopes, and snowmelt ponds in gullies.    There was some snow still at 1020m (3346 feet).   On the lower slopes, buttercups, yellow bells, and rockcress were in bloom.    In the upper areas, plants are just starting their spring growth.   Birds were active at all elevations, but on this grey day, there was no one around.