The Nature Conservancy of Canada, in partnership with Napier Ranch, has established a heritage grasslands conservation area (526 ha) in the rolling hills between Kamloops and Merritt.   Most of the area is open grasslands with pockets of aspens, mostly in gullies    It is still a working ranch area, but for a few months each year, we can drive up the narrow and steep gravel road to the gate.    There are grass tracks heading north and west and if cattle are on the ranges, we should choose to hike in a different direction.    I have been hiking the area for a number of years and I vary the route each time.    There are no established trails, but there are some Crown lands above the Conservation area, allowing for a longer route, but we should respect fences and signage when we explore the hills.

On this day I hiked up a grassy track past the old homestead.

I climbed the hills above, crossing some gullies where there were some old black hawthorn shrubs in bloom.

An owl flew low over the grass hunting for prey.    Hawks circled above.    Small birds hid in the hawthorns.    Barn swallows swooped near the homestead.   A few wildflowers were in bloom, but the predominant color was green, with tall grasses in waves across the hillsides.   I made my own loop route, sometimes across the grass and at other times on a double track.   All was quiet in the Conservation area and I left nothing but ephemeral footprints.

On a previous hike in the area, I put together a video – Napier Ranch Conservation Area (link)