From the Valleyview Nature Park trailhead, there are numerous single track trails that go east up gullies, over ridges, and along benchlands, all in the open grasslands of the Valleyview Silt Cliffs area.

We hiked a route that we know well.   Since there are many trails in the area, it may take hikers several visits to link up trails to make a loop.   This route was 8.3 km, taking about 2.5 hours.

The silt cliffs were formed as sediments laid down when glacial lakes filled the South Thompson River Valley.   While hiking in this area, there are lots of silts and clay banks, but few rocks.   A few trees stand in drainage paths, but on the whole the area is quite dry.

Since large gullies run north-south, all routes either skirt the south end of the gullies or they wind down to the bottom and back up the other side of each new gully.

There are many erosion features in the area – sinkholes, narrow ridges (spines), silt cliffs, and dry ravines.  Grasslands cover the sloping benchlands from Juniper Ridge to Valleyview Drive.

Some of the more interesting routes go along narrow ridgetops (article – Hiking the Spines).

Meadowlarks and blue birds can be spotted in the grasslands in the spring.   Although the area is close to town, it is a fine natural grasslands area for a few hours of hiking.

More articles:

• Terrace Bench Silt Cliffs
• Silt Cliff Hiking