In winter fog often settles into the Thompson River Valleys blanketing the community in grey.   We can go up above the clouds to hike.   When the clouds are below 750 feet, we can hike up above the fog on Dufferin Hill.   On the way up the tower Trail, we get our first views over to Mount Peter.

Mt. Peter above the fog

Passing the towers, we continue along the Ridge Trail for views to the south.

The Ridge Trail has a good track along the top of the east-west ridge.

contentFor 1.5 km the trail has open views above the clouds.   At the end of the ridge, we hike steeply down to join the trails which will loop back on either the north side (Upper Doug Dawes Trail, Lower Doug Daws, or Deer Run) or on the south side (Big Pine or Ponderosa).

Our route on Dufferin Hill

Some breaks in the fog provide views of the surrounding hills.

The lower end of the loop was in the fog, but on the upper boundary, the sun was still visible.

Some hiking in the cloud zone is fine, but the cold, wet, and grey environment is no match for the oepn views in the sun above.

We hiked above the fog for half of the route on a 6.2 km loop.   We will return to hike the Ridge Loop again when all lower valley hikes are bound in a grey shroud.