When the weather gets cold and the trails become icy, I sometimes opt to hike in the valley bottom, especially if time is an issue, weather is doubtful, or if I just need some time off the snow.    There are a number of winter beaches that can be hiked for these times.     In winter the beaches are wider and since they are exposed to the sun, they are porous, and they are at the lowest elevation of our area, they have routes that are on sand or gravel, without ice or snow.    There are a number of choices, like the West Beaches, the Rivers Trail, the Confluence, Mission Flats, and others.    The North Thompson Winter Beach area can be accessed from Schubert Drive.    We can hike the beach and the Rivers Trail in a loop.     On this day, I parked at the north end and accessed the beach area down an access trail.

The Halston Bridge and the CN Train Bridge spanned the river to the north of the hike route.

I followed the North Thompson River downstream, staying close to the river’s edge.   Mt. Peter and Paul were reflected in the slow-moving river.

The North Thompson Beach narrows about halfway down Schubert Drive.    The sand banks become steeper and the beach becomes sloped.    At this point, I followed the sun, going up a short access trail to the paved Rivers Trail.

I hiked back to the start, happy with a loop route on a Winter Beach.     There are more to be hiked still and since I get out every day, the next one will be soon.