Westyde Bench
The Westsyde Bench trail starts in Batchelor Heights and follows the benchlands above Westsyde all the way to Deep Lake. Before the Batchelor Subdivision was built, we used to follow single and double track routes from the Lac du Bois Road, but with all the new building in the area, we now have to use a different trailhead. The easiest approach at this time is to go right on Grasslands Road, then left onto Stagecoach. Continue up to the end of Saddleback and park. Trails start on the west by the fence or on the east on a double track. Both link onto a dirt double track that aims straight along the bench. The area is open grasslands and sagebrush, fine for early season hiking or biking. At 3.5 km, a crossroads is reached. One track goes down to Westsyde, near Serle Road. Take the left fork, following an old double track that winds up the hill. Near the top at the 5km mark is a hill on the east side of the track. Climb to the top for a viewpoint and a rest. Mountain bikers may wish to continue on the fibre optic line past Deep Lake or onto the Community Grasslands Trail. Hikers will find the viewpoint a good spot to turn around for a 10km moderate hike.
We like to hike the Westsyde Bench route in spring since the snows melt early there and because it is so open, it tends to dry off quickly. Later in the spring or summer, this route can be quite hot so we may return to mountain bike the trails, but we try to avoid weekends when motorcycles are more likely. In dry periods, the route can be dusty. Westysde Bench is a good shoulder season hike or bike.