The dry hills around Six Mile Lake are rugged, covered in grasses and open forests.   Most visitors go to Pat Lake to fish, but the hills invite exploration when the cattle are not grazing on the hillsides.

The high point is north of Pat Lake (sometimes called Six Mile Lake).   There are a series of hills to ascend, but we aim for the highest point because of the views.

From the top of Six Mile Hill, we can look down the lake to Tobiano, then all the way east across Kamloops Lake towards Kamloops.

Standing over the north side of the lake is Rousseau Hill and the steep shores of the Dewdrop-Rousseau Protected Area.   Rising above is Red Plateau and Hardie Hill.

From the top, a good route is down to a meadow and over to Morgan Lake.   This was once a slough, but the outlet was dammed and now it is a catch-and-release lake in a channel-shaped basin, surrounded by grasslands.

The dry grasslands had a few emerging wildflowers, including shooting stars on p[rotected hillsides.

There were a few boats on Pat Lake, but it was a windy day.   This is one of the more scenic smaller fishing lakes of the region.   Rocky hills surround the lake on every side.   On this hike marmots, bluebirds, meadowlarks, and deer were spotted.   The cattle were not on the ranges yet so everything was quiet.   Visitors to the area are reminded that these are private grazing lands so to steer clear of cattle, to close gates, and to leave nothing but footprints.   More information can be found here – Six Mile Hills.