Juniper Ridge Park (Scott Road)
Hikers and mountain bikers have been using Scott Road as a route for decades. It goes right around Rose Hill, but the entire circle route would cross private property, so we use one section of the track. Hikers can hike from Rose Hill Road to the fenced end of Scott Road (about 4 km each way). There are also some short side track loops that can be added. Mountain bikers have developed downhill trails that descend the gullies toward the highway too, going around the gravel pit operation, but there are private lands in that area too.
Recently there was a drive to raise funds to buy a section of land above Juniper Ridge, spearheaded by the BC Parks Foundation. We donated to it and there were many community partners who supported the initiative. This was a successful initiative and the Foundation will be moving ahead with consultation, planning, and development. We are not sure if this will be Juniper Ridge Park (or Protected Area) and how it will turn out, but in the meantime, we can still hike the Scott Road area.
I drove up Rose Hill Road, then parked at the start of Scott Road and hiked along the dirt double track. There are some fine views down to and across the valley along the route.
I did some side routes to observe birds, bugs, shrubs, and wildflowers and also to find some geocaches. Near the road, there are lots of invasive species, but a bit farther into the grasslands, it is mostly grass and native species.
I climbed off-trail over some smaller hills to see wind-shaped trees and dryland species.
For this day I hiked 1.5 hours, enjoying the quiet grassland track in the hills.
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