On a mild early March day the route chosen for a hike was the Mara Outer Loop.   This is the Mara Trail with an extended route over two hills which overlook the Tranquille River Canyon.  The Pruden Pass Road is part of the route, a rough double track that goes up to a pass between Mara Mountain and Wheeler Mountain.    If you hike the loop clockwise, continue up the road for 0.65 km before turning onto a less-obvious track bearing north west.    The steep double track up the shoulder of the hill can be seen from a distance.

To the west across the Tranquille – Criss Creek Road, stand Dewdrop Ridge and Battle Bluff, inviting us over for more hiking this month.

At the approach to the hill climb, there are fine views across the canyon to rugged Tranquille Ridge and The Pimple, both to be hiked later in the month.

The loop route goes over two sagebrush grassland hills before returning back to the gravel road.     The Mara Trail is straight ahead, winding down southeast.    The trail follows a gully to viewpoints.   Above to the east is Mara Mountain, also to be hiked in the next month.

On the way down are two viewpoints.    At the lower one, we have wide views of the floodlands and the Thompson River Estuary.

The 5 km loop hike takes about 1.5 hours and is a scenic route.    Though tick season is already here, there were none spotted on this day, but precautions should be taken when hiking any of the grasslands routes in March and April.   This is not as good a choice in the hotter summer months, but it is a good hike for both spring and fall.