For many years we hiked the old double tracks that led up to the abandoned mines in the Ironmask Hills, but ownership and access changed so the area was not open to hikers, runners, and mountain bikers.   The Kamloops Performance Cycling Center (KPCC) has negotiated an agreement with the owners of the lands for seasonal access (link to information) to the trail systems and has built a number of new trails.    The main access route for the west end of the trail network is at a small parking area off the Lac le Jeune Road.

We called the double track the Ironmask Hills trail, but the cycling group has renamed all the trails and the main route is now called Triple Lumen.   On the way up the hill,  a number of trails come down or go across the double track.

In late summer, the trails were dry and only a few wildflowers could be seen.   The puzzle bark of old ponderosa pines can be found at the base of snags along the route.

At the crest of the northwest-facing hill are more trails, all rated by difficulty.   Each time we hike in the area, we try to take a different route.

The view from the top of the hill extends over Sugarloaf Hill toward Greenstone Mountain.

To the northwest, Kamloops Lake can be seen above grassland hills.

tAlong each trail are more trail junctions, a maze of trails with new ones appearing with each subsequent return hike.

Although the trail system is for mountain bikers, hikers can use the trails too, respecting posted signage and seasonal closures for cattle grazing.   Our thanks to KPCC for their work on enriching the trail system in our area.