I hiked from the Ironmask Industrial Park into the hills across the road, not following any trails, mindful of staying off the (closed) Pineview-Ironmask Trails.   I went past a number of dig sites from the hundred-year-old mine workings.   The largest pit is fenced in and somewhat hidden,   Most of the vertical or horizontal shafts have been filled in.

The route I hiked was up and over rocky hills in open forest – grassland terrain.

At the top of two of the hills were views to the northwest.

I did a loop route, all off-trail. There was no snow, nor any mud on my route, but I could see both on the trails in the distance. A good early spring hike in the hills…