Near the end of winter the winter snows turn to ice, then mud.   We have to go higher to hike on the snow or we can walk on the low-altitude open beaches along the rivers or out at Cooney Bay.   We chose to go past Tranquille on the river side of the property out to the Cooney Bay parking area, then along the beach and up over the bluff at the far end, then back for a 3km return walk.

Ice fringed the shoreline where the westerly winds have pushed lake ice into the shore and the flood zone of Tranquille Creek spreads out as it encounters ice barriers.   Between is sandy and rock-strewn beach, a welcome respite from winter snows.  The bluff at the far end is an easy climb and offers good views out to Battle Bluff, Kamloops Lake, and back towards Mara Mountain.   Eagles frequent the snags around the river mouth and otters have been spotted in the area.   It can be a busy spot on a weekend afternoon, but there is lots of beach for everyone and a little hiking gets you past the strollers and dog-walkers.     Pick a sunny day, if you can and enjoy the lakeshore at Cooney Bay.

The view to Battle Bluff

Kamloops Lake shoreline

Undulating shoreline

The view back toward Mount Mara

An iced-over bay

From the bluff, looking east

leafless poison ivy