When conditions in the hills become icy or wet with slush or mud, it is sometimes a better choice to hike in the bottom of the valley.    Open beaches often clear of snow and ice since they can be open to any warmth of the sun, the sands and gravels are porous, the areas are swept by winds, and the elevation is lower, possibly below the freezing level.

Some of the hikes/walks that work well are beach walks and island hikes.      These include Cooney Bay, the Rivers Trail past the airport, the Confluence Area, Schubert Drive beaches/pathway, McArthur Island, the shoreline/path near Centennial Park, the beach near the Dunes, and others to the east or west.

Near daybreak I went for a short walk/hike from Overlander Park along the beach, past the Confluence, and up the North Thompson River beach, looping back to the start.    All paths were icy and even the beach and pebbles were slippery, but it was a good choice for a morning walk.

The morning sun was rising over the hills as I approached the Confluence.

The sun peeked over the hills as I came to the junction of the three rivers (North Thompson, South Thompson, and Thompson Rivers).

I continued up by the North Thompson’s River’s edge.    The sun shone on the snowy Batchelor Hills to the north.

I looped back to Schubert Drive, then along the cottonwoods to the start at Overlander Park.

When the conditions are right, I will be back for more hikes on the Winter Beaches.