# Kamloops Trails

> Always Exploring


## Posts

- [Painted Bluffs Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/painted-bluffs-hike/): On a sunny morning at the end of April, we drove west past Savona, then up the Sabiston Creek Road to Copper Creek Road and we parked above the gate, not far above the lake.   We hiked over the hills and gullies to a spot above the Painted Bluffs Provincial Park, then we followed a rough track down to the base of lower end of the bluffs. The “trail” in is just a rough track, not always easy to follow, winding down into and out of gullies and around steep bluffs, bearing east, for a 2 km hike each way From … Continue reading →
- [Stein River Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/stein-river-hike/): We drove south to the Fraser River, then into Stein Valley Nlaka’Pamux Heritage Park to hike up the Stein River Trail for an out-and-back route which turned out to be 3.5 hours on the trail, with about 2.5 hours of moving time.    It was a sunny and pleasant day for a beautiful hike.   For the whole distance we had views of the rushing river,  while signs of spring greeted us along the way – wildflowers, pollinators, birds, flowering shrubs, and new growth.    The river was impressive, not yet in freshet, but still full from bank to bank, churning downstream. … Continue reading →
- [Barnes Lake Trails Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/barnes-lake-trails-hike/): We hiked the Barnes Lake horse-and-hiker-trails in Barnhartvale on a mid-April sunny day.    We started at the Gardiner Road entrance and went through the gate and onto the trails in the sagebrush grasslands, hiking a counter-clockwise 9.25 km loop on double and single tracks.   The trails were quiet but we watched for signs of spring, spotting wildflowers and birds along the way. The lower elevation areas have open grasslands and open forests. We went past Killdeer Pond, reduced in size after another drought year.    From there, we followed the trails on a moderate climb into the douglas fir forests. … Continue reading →
- [Stump Lake Kayak and Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/stump-lake-kayak-and-hike/): On a sunny morning in the second week of April, I drove south on Highway 5A past Stump Lake, then took the turn to the signed Peterhope Lake Road, and turned a short ways up onto the 4.5 km gravel road to the Stump Lake Rec Site on the east side of the lake.   There is a campground, a boat launch area, and lots of parking.    Stump Lake is a popular fishing lake and on this morning there were a dozen boats launched from the Rec Site and quite a few from the lake access points on the west side, … Continue reading →
- [Mara Canyon Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/mara-canyon-hike/): On a sunny early April day, we used the official trailhead off West Ord Road and hiked a loop route, up Mara Canyon and then up onto Cinnamon Ridge, then back down the ridge on a single track, winding down steep slopes to the start.   The two halves of the hike are very different.    Going up the canyon is in a deep, narrow canyon and involves some light scrambling.   The canyon opens up under the rockface of Mara Mountain.   A steep ascent in open terrain gains us the top of the ridge. From the upper end of Cinnamon Ridge we … Continue reading →
- [Trapp Lake Kayaking](https://kamloopstrails.com/trapp-lake-kayaking/): On a mild morning in the first week of April, I drove south on Highway 5A to Trapp Lake.    there is a track which leads to the lakeshore 1.3 km down the lake.    A tiny sandy strip makes a good launch point for the lake.    Since a paddle of the whole lake is about 10.5 km, I usually paddle half of the lake and paddle the other half later in spring.   On this day, I paddled the southern half of the lake. Trapp is not a fishing lake and it is rare to see any boats on the … Continue reading →
- [Six Mile Lakes Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/six-mile-lakes-hike/): On a sunny spring day we drove west and then up the bumpy road (the old highway bypass) above Tobiano to the Six Mile Lakes area, parking on the east end of Pat Lake.    The ice was off the lake and it was busy with fishermen happy to be back after the winter.   We hiked around Pat Lake, then on single tracks and double tracks through the hills, past ponds. working our way over to Morgan Lake.   We chose to leave the more established tracks and instead followed a faint single track around the lake, and then joined double tracks … Continue reading →
- [Uplands Trails Ramble](https://kamloopstrails.com/uplands-trails-ramble/): On the first of April I started a 6.25 km hike from the end of McLeod Drive (at the junction of McLeod Rd. and Uplands Rd. in Barnhartvale).    Trails start at the gas pipeline track and they fan out across the sagebrush grassland benchland, through gullies, and up into the hills.    For this day, the hike was a series of single track trails through the grasslands above the gullies, out to viewpoints,  and then back to cross the heads of gullies for more loops.    The final loop went down one of the larger gullies, then back up onto … Continue reading →
- [Kayaking Kamloops Lake from Savona](https://kamloopstrails.com/kayaking-kamloops-lake-from-savona/): At the end of March, the weather was cool, windy and rainy, but I drove to Savona and parked at the boat launch at the end of Tingley Street (down from the Community Hall, Library, and School).   The launch area was in good shape for unloading, parking, and launching, but the winds were stronger than expected, coming down the lake from the northeast.    I chose to paddle through some sheltered bays and down to the lake outlet, then a short paddle up the north shore of Kamloops Lake, and back. For the first two-thirds of the paddle, I kept my … Continue reading →
- [Five Bridges and Two Otters](https://kamloopstrails.com/five-bridges-and-two-otters/): On a grey mild morning I launched my kayak from Pioneer Park then paddled down the South Thompson River.    I passed under the “Ghost Bridge”, the burnt and now removed Red Bridge,  and then continued down to two standing bridges and two other former (ghost) bridges.    There are a number of pylons just below the surface near the base of the stanchions on the CN Bridge so it’s best to stay midway between the pillars.   I continued downstream past Riverside Park, then under the Overlanders Bridge. Farther west I passed the stanchions of the Black Bridge, built in 1925, … Continue reading →
- [Dewdrop Ridge Ramble](https://kamloopstrails.com/dewdrop-ridge-ramble/): In the third week of March we returned to the Dewdrop Range to hike a loop route over Dewdrop Ridge.    We started on the Frederick Road at the first pull-off on the right.   A single track trail goes across the low damp area and then winds up the ridge, and becomes the Bluebird Trail.    At about 0.6 km from the start, an unsigned junction is reached.   An old double track bears south (left turn) and climbs to the top of the ridge.  At the southern rim a trail goes east and west. Views from the Rim Trail extend to … Continue reading →
- [Cinnamon Ridge Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/cinnamon-ridge-hike/): Near the Spring Equinox I crossed the tracks at Ord Road (just past the golf course) and drove down the bumpy dirt road to the parking area at the official trailhead for Cinnamon Ridge (also referred to as Mara Canyon or The Hoodoos).    I hiked up the trail to the junction, and then turned right following the switchbacks up the steep slopes as it angles around the rocky hill to the northeast. Looking north, Mara Mountain rises above the Mara outlier trails.    The Mara Canyon Trail winds up between the two steep rocky hills.     The Cinnamon Ridge Trail … Continue reading →
- [Exploring the Charlotte Alplands](https://kamloopstrails.com/exploring-the-charlotte-alplands/): The Charlotte Alplands are located in a remote area of the Chilcotin Plateau.      We drove (580 km) to Nimpo Lake.    The next day we boarded a float plane and went southwest, flying over Charlotte Lake.    We landed on Fish Lake.    We packed our gear (supported by a horse pack outfitter) to the Frog Lakes and set up a base camp.    We hiked for a few days through the hills with support from a guide,  and we enjoyed meals provided by a camp cook. The Alplands have the highest concentration of alpine lakes in British Columbia.  … Continue reading →
- [Outer Dewdrop Range Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/outer-dewdrop-range-hike/): Conditions in the lower valley have dried out and those routes can now be hiked, but many of the hills surrounding the valley are still muddy or icy.    The exceptions are the Batchelor Range and the Dewdrop Range.    Those areas are south-facing and open to accelerated drying from the sun, warm conditions, and warmer winds.    The Dewdrop Range is a benchland with rocky bluffs overlooking Kamloops Lake, and the steep rocky Red Plateau Escarpment above.   Much of the Dewdrop Range is open sagebrush grassland with open pine trees in protected areas.   A few gullies and north slopes have … Continue reading →
- [Battle Bluff Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/battle-bluff-hike/): On a cool day in the second week of March, the Battle Bluff Trail was the hike for the day.    The trailhead (N50 44.791 W120 33.921) is signed and the trail heads south, crossing the flats before going up a shallow gully.    The trail then winds up through open forest between low hills before emerging into the grasslands that slope down toward Kamloops Lake.   At 1.1 km, the trail starts the descent to the foot of Battle Bluff, and then crosses a flat grassy area before winding up the bluff. As hikers go up the ridge, the view to … Continue reading →
- [Deep Lake Loop](https://kamloopstrails.com/deep-lake-loop/): The trails to the Deep Lake area in the east side of Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area dried out after the first week of March and provided good hiking routes into the grasslands.    From the trailhead on Ida Road, I hiked the signed Deep Lake Loop Trail.     The first kilometer is uphill through open forest and on sloping ridges to the grassland bench above. A single track trail wound through grasslands to the junction with the Grasslands Community Trail (which is 13 km one way to McQueen Lake). This area is open sagebrush grasslands. The trail continued to … Continue reading →
- [Savona to Sabiston Beach Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/savona-to-sabiston-beach-hike/): On a grey cool day in early March we drove to Savona to hike the Savona to Sabiston Beach route.    This is an open (no trees) south-facing sloped area above Kamloops Lake that is one of the first trails to dry out in late winter.  The trailhead is at the end of the Savona Cemetary Road.    The turn is past Savona on the west side of the bridge over the Thompson River.   The trail starts as a double track, then continues east as a rugged single track on the sideslopes above the railway, above the lake. All along the … Continue reading →
- [July Mountain Summit](https://kamloopstrails.com/july-mountain-summit/): July Mountain is located in the Coquihalla Summit Area, north of the core peaks accessible from the Coquihalla Highway.    The trailhead now has some access problems.    We used to take the Juliet Creek turnoff, following the road west, then we turned to cross a bridge and followed the rough July Mountain Road up to a parking spot.     The road was really a 4WD access and was grown in, but we could go slowly and park lower if we found the road too challenging.    Then, the July Mountain Fire burned the whole access area and the bridge went … Continue reading →
- [Rabbit Island Ramble](https://kamloopstrails.com/rabbit-island-ramble/): On the first day of March I hiked from McArthur Island over to Rabbit Island.    In late winter the ice clears off and a narrow channel separates the beaches of the two islands.    Since I have done this route many times, I knew what to expect.    The route is to hike over from the corner of McArthur Island onto wet beaches.    I had already put on a dry suit and neoprene boots and I had my hiking boots in a dry bag.   The narrowest part of a river channel is about 12 m across.   I waded through … Continue reading →
- [Hiking the West Beaches](https://kamloopstrails.com/hiking-the-west-beaches/): On a mild end-of-February day we started a hike at the end of Aviation Way to go out to the West Beaches.    The route starts on the Rivers Trail, but we stayed on the narrower trail which follows the river downstream and out toward the Thompson River Estuary, looping back along the river for a 8 km, 2+ hour hike, much of it on the sand. A single track trail winds through the cottonwoods above the floodlands, bearing west. A single track drops down into a dry slough, following a single track past an old vehicle graveyard, sometimes called Dale’s … Continue reading →
- [Hiking the Estuary](https://kamloopstrails.com/hiking-the-estuary/): By the end of February a route that I try to hike is from the entrance area to Tranquille down to the shoreline where streams flow into the river, then along the rivershore toward Cooney Bay.    The whole area floods in late spring, but it is a wide estuary in the other seasons.   Conditions are wet after snowmelt, but we can pick our way downstream to get to a gravel beach. There are several streams which flow from the hills down to the river.    A faint trail heads southwest toward the wider estuary. We can follow the shoreline of … Continue reading →
- [Mad Dog Mountain](https://kamloopstrails.com/mad-dog-mountain/): There are a number of fine hikes to the summits of peaks in Marble Range Provincial Park.    Among the best are Mt. Bowman,  Wild Horse Ridge, Mt. Kerr, and Lime Ridge.    But there are some lesser-known and seldom-hiked routes too.    Mad Dog Mountain is a rocky peak standing between Mt. Bowman and Lime Ridge.   There is a trail which follows Foundation Creek to the lower slopes of the mountain.    The trail is mostly used to summit the northwest end of Lime Ridge, but a marked junction to a faint trail turns north and works its way up … Continue reading →
- [Tuktakamin Mountain Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/tuktakamin-mountain-hike/): When we drive from Kamloops to Vernon, we go through Falkland in the Salmon River Valley between two mountains.     The mountain on the north is Estekwalan Mountain, one of the best hikes in our region.    On the right (south side) is Tuktakamin Mountain.    It can be accessed from the Pinaus Lake Road, and 4WD vehicles can even drive to the top where there are some towers.    Hikers can drive part way up, then hike a loop route over the top of the mountain. The trailhead is found at a sign on a tree above the road (N50 … Continue reading →
- [Clapperton Ridge Snowshoe](https://kamloopstrails.com/clapperton-ridge-snowshoe/): By mid-February the colder temperatures gave way to better conditions for outdoor activities.    I drove north through Lac du Bois Provincial Park to the upper end of the grasslands just south of McQueen Lake.     I snowshoed an old cart track through an open bowl, then a forested section (douglas fir and aspens), to the open grasslands of the Lac du Bois Conservation Area.    My goal for the day was to get to a viewpoint on the southwest side of Clapperton Hill. The winter sun shone bright through thin clouds as I followed stomped-in tracks to the ridge. I … Continue reading →
- [Haleakala Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/haleakala-hike/): While on the Island of Maui, we hiked trails every day.    The best of these hikes was a loop route on Haleakala.    The road to the summit climbs to 10 000 feet.    From the trailhead area, the trails descend into the crater.    there are 48 km of trails in Haleakala National Park.   We chose to hike the Sliding Sands Trail through the volcanic desert, then we looped back on the Halemau’u Trail to the Holu’a Cabin, and then climbed up a steep switchback trail to the rim, for a 18.5 km hike. From the summit area we … Continue reading →
- [Insectopia to Mod Squad](https://kamloopstrails.com/insectopia-to-mod-squad/): On a cool February a group of fellow snowshoers followed a route which combined a series of the Chuwhels Mountain dirtbike trails (GKMA) from Lodgepole Lake though the forests and plantations in a large loop which went over a hilltop above the whole area.    Some of the trails were stomped in, but at least half needed to be stomped in.   We followed single tracks near Lodgepole Lake to get to the Insectopia Trail, then we combined more trails (Mod Squad, Something Nasty, Roots of All Evil, Mikey Likes It, and Walloper Creek Trail) and some backcountry double tracks for an … Continue reading →
- [Mt. Kerr Trek](https://kamloopstrails.com/mt-kerr-trek/): At the end of June we drove west toward Clinton, then turned west down the Kelly Lake Road, then turned north onto the Jesmond Road.   This backroad runs through a valley between the Edge Hill and Marble Range Provincial Park.    There are a number of first-rate hikes in the limestone mountains of the park.    At about 21 km, there are two bumpy secondary roads that take us to the creek running west out of the valley between Mt. Bowman and Mad Dog Mountain.   The trailhead starts there to go to the top of Bowman or Mad Dog, but also … Continue reading →
- [Jacko Lake Stomp](https://kamloopstrails.com/jacko-lake-stomp/): On a mild winter day at the end of January I decided to stomp on snowshoes into Jack Lake and back.   We can drive up the gravel road in 3 seasons to kayak the lake, but there is now a gate on the access road so no one is going in to the lake.    I checked it out a week before and there were no tracks.   When I arrived back, there was a single ski track to follow. I used snowshoes since the snow was deep enough to make hiking more difficult.   The sun was peeking through the clouds off … Continue reading →
- [Spruce Canyon Stomp](https://kamloopstrails.com/spruce-canyon-stomp/): On a weekday in January I snowshoed the Stake Lake Trails.    It was a busy day with school groups and many cross country skiers enjoying the sunny, cool day.    I opted to snowshoe an out-of-the-way loop route.    First I went around the lakeshore on the Lake Snowshoe Trail to the far end of the lake. Some blue skies and intermittent clouds made the ice-and-snow-covered lake bright as I followed a well-stomped-in trail bearing south. I followed the Stadium Trail then the Cow(an) Creek Trail along the riparian areas of the stream-swamp and through the lodgepole pines. I crossed … Continue reading →
- [Ross Moore Lake](https://kamloopstrails.com/ross-moore-lake/): One of the lakes we look forward to paddling each summer is Ross Moore Lake.    It is a longer drive into the backcountry to get to the shores of the lake.   We can use either the Long Lake Road (from Knutsford) or the McConnell Forest Service Road (from the Lac le Jeune Road) to get to the Ross Moore Lake Road, then it is an additional bumpy 8 km route to the southeast end of Ross Moore Lake.     We can launch from the dam area or we can go to the rough track into the Ross Moore Rec Site … Continue reading →
- [Hull Hill Snowshoeing](https://kamloopstrails.com/hull-hill-snowshoeing/): We drove up the Lac le Jeune Road, then turned east onto the Goose Lake Road.   A short way down the road is a snowy backroad that angles southeast.    The road has a number of branch roads (some new ones), but the main branch crosses Anderson Creek, then winds up the western flank of Hull Hill.    We parked at the start of this double track.     A few people snowshoe the area so the first part of the road has been packed down and has lots of parking.    There are few tracks leading off in different directions, but … Continue reading →
- [North Thompson Winter Beach](https://kamloopstrails.com/north-thompson-winter-beach/): 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, … Continue reading →
- [Eureka - The Meaning of Life](https://kamloopstrails.com/eureka-the-meaning-of-life/): On  a mild winter day I drove up the Lac le Jeune Road, then turned onto the Chuwhels Mountain Road on a plowed road up to Lodgepole Lake.    From the parking area at the west end of the lake, I hiked back across the lake, then turned north up into the hills, following an old snowed-in double track for the first part of the route to Eureka Lake. There had been a snowmobile track to follow for about a kilometer, but then I had to break trail for a while. At 1.5 km up the double track I turned right … Continue reading →
- [Kayaking Eagle River](https://kamloopstrails.com/kayaking-eagle-river/): On a summer day we drove east on the Trans Canada Highway through to Sicamous where we left one vehicle.    Three of us then went up the highway to Malakwa.   The launch spot was next to the Malakwa Suspension Bridge (originally built in 1915).    We paddled downstream to Shuswap Lake, a paddle of 33 kms, then paddled around to Sicamous (another 2.5 km).  The river meanders for most of the way downstream, doubling the linear distance.    We encountered a number of hazards in the first part of the journey.    It was a route for experienced paddlers only.   The second half of the route had slower water, but that also meant slower progress downriver.    All seemed … Continue reading →
- [Bluenose Mountain](https://kamloopstrails.com/bluenose-mountain/): In the first week of September the target for a new route to hike was Bluenose Mountain.     It is located to the east of Vernon by backroads near Lavington.    The trailhead is up the Bluenose Road and there is a signed parking lot and trailhead.    A good trail switchbacks up the first steep rocky hill, then traversed over to climb a second hill.    A separate trail can be hiked through the forest back to the start for a 5.5 – 6 km loop route.    The first climb was steep, but manageable with switchbacks.     A side trail climbs on top of the hill.    Open views to the south, west, and northwest from rocky ledges … Continue reading →
- [Joss Mountain](https://kamloopstrails.com/joss-mountain/): Joss Mountain is in the Monashee Mountains,  accessed by backroads from Highway One near Eagle Pass.    Drive on Highway 1 then turn onto the Three Valley – Mabel FSR and then onto a mountain road, 16 km of high clearance to 4WD access to the West Approach.   A post marks the trailhead .   This is a steep trail, but mostly easy to follow.    It goes through a subalpine zone, before emerging into the rocky alpine traverse to the top of the mountain.    There is no trail in the open area, but hikers should take the easiest route to the highest point.    There is a Dominion Forest Lookout built in 1921 on top of a cliff at … Continue reading →
- [Wilcox Pass Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/wilcox-pass-hike/): Wilcox Pass is a trail which starts near the Athabasca Icefield area on the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff.   The trailhead is a the campground 2.4 km southeast.      The trail climbs through a subalpine zone up to alpine meadows (at 2337 m or 7667 ft).   It continues through an open pass between Mount Wilcox and Nigel Peak.    As we climbed we had superb views of Mt. Athabasca (3491 m or 11 453 ft.) and Snow Dome (3520m or 11 550 ft.).     Mt. Athabasca is an all-day climb up the glaciers which we did some years ago.    Snow Dome is the hydrological apex of North America with drainage going to three different oceans.     I … Continue reading →
- [Eagle's View above Clearwater Lake](https://kamloopstrails.com/eagles-view-above-clearwater-lake/): On a warm summer day in a part of the province that was not wrapped in smoke, I drove north through Wells Gray Park to the the end of the road.      At the boat launch I got into my kayak, then I paddled up the lake, heading north for 6 km.    The plan was to land at the beach of a marine campsite, then hike a signed trail up to a viewpoint overlooking the lake.   I had done this exact route a few years ago, but Clearwater Lake is my favorite lake, so it was a repeat, but one I was pleased to do again.    The lake was calm as I kayaked to Divers Bluff Marine … Continue reading →
- [Hermit Trail](https://kamloopstrails.com/hermit-trail/): The Hermit Trail is one of the steepest trails in Glacier National Park, but it is only 3.2 km to the small backcountry campsite by a glacial meltwater stream.   We have hiked (and run) this trail a few times.    We have also gone up higher onto the shoulder of The Hermit (an outlier of Mt. Tupper), and to the snowfields between Tupper and Hermit Mountain, but these are off-trail steep explorations, best suited to experienced mountaineers.    We also visited the historic Hermit Hut off a side trail.    This was used by mountaineers, but has been removed.     The trailhead is located to the east of the Rogers Pass Visitors Center.     There is good parking and signage.  … Continue reading →
- [Guanaco Peak](https://kamloopstrails.com/guanaco-peak/): Guanaco Peak is one of the Coquihalla Summit Peaks, located at the headwaters rim of the Coldwater River.    It is easily spotted from the top of Zupjok, Yak, Zoa, and other peaks in the area, but it is hard to get to.   Access is by the Upper Coldwater River FSR which goes west from the Coquihalla Highway near the Coquihalla Lakes.    The road up the valley is in good condition for 7.5 km.     There is a small campground there (Zum Peak Campground) and from there a 1.4 km trail goes in to Little Douglas Lake where there is a backcountry campsite.   The rest of the Upper Coldwater Road is 7 km long and it is grown over.  … Continue reading →
- [Lime Ridge (North)](https://kamloopstrails.com/lime-ridge-north/): Lime Ridge is a peak in Marble Range Provincial Park.    It is one of the karst limestone peaks accessed from the Jesmond Road.   Lime Ridge is a barren limestone 7 km-long open ridge with rugged views in every direction.     There are 3 routes that can be taken to get to the top of Lime Ridge.     The one best known is from the southwest, going up the Porcupine Creek FSR to a small Rec Site, then following a good trail to the south end of Lime Ridge and/or Porcupine Peak.    There is also a steep route on the west side near the middle of the ridge which follows an old mining road to a limestone quarry and … Continue reading →
- [Cwem Cwem Lake Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/cwem-cwem-lake-hike/): Cwem Cwem Lake is an alpine tarn in a rocky plateau area right below Trophy Mountain.     Whereas most hikers go up the Trophy Mountain Trail through the alpine meadows to Plateau of the Tarns in a cirque below Long Hill and the West Trophy Peak, Cwem Cwem requires scrambling down a creek gully and climbing back up to the east.   There is no trail, but there may be a few cairns along the route.     The best route is to go to the last tarn below Trophy Two (West Trophy), then descend the creek gully down to the Silvertip Creek Valley.    Go upstream, following the creek to Cwem Cwem Lake.   The lake seems like an idyllic spot for … Continue reading →
- [Mt. Bowman Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/mt-bowman-hike/): Mt. Bowman is located in the Marble Range, northwest of Clinton.    To get to the trailhead, we drive north on Highway 97 to Clinton, then turn down the Kelly Lake (Pavilion – Clinton) Road to the junction of the Jesmond Road, a good gravel road which goes north along the western flank of Marble Range Provincial Park.   The trailhead is accessed by one of two high clearance, bumpy gravel side roads (23 and 24 km north) which go to the powerline.     There is a small parking area near the creek.    A good trail follows the creek upstream with a gradual climb.   At 3.1 km a small rough camp is reached.     The trail which continues east goes … Continue reading →
- [Raft Peak Traverse](https://kamloopstrails.com/raft-peak-traverse/): Raft Peak is an 8000 foot rocky mountain north of Clearwater, just outside Well Gray Park.    It is accessed by a long (22 km) rough (high clearance and the last part requires 4WD) mountain road.     There are 5 peaks in the range.     From the trailhead to the top of the west summit is a steep 3 km scramble.   From there it is an airy scramble across to the second peak.     The north slopes descend with snowfields in the cols leading down to Cirque of Tarns.  The traverse to the third and fourth peaks is much easier.   The final peak requires a bit of light scrambling up, then down the other side. The traverse is an all-day … Continue reading →
- [Fifty Years on Trophy Mountain](https://kamloopstrails.com/fifty-years-on-trophy-mountain/): On a sunny and warm day in early July, an early start was important, so the hike started at the trailhead by 8:30 in the morning.     The first 2 km was through forest, winding uphill, crossing streams, working toward subalpine glades up to the meadows.    Snow was still present at the higher elevations so the slopes were mostly wet, with wildflowers, flowering shrubs, and emerging perennials all the way from the forest to the heathlands in the alpine zone.   This was the fiftieth consecutive year in a row of hiking in the Trophy Mountains.    Over the years, all of the 9 summits were hiked, some from different trailheads, some involving day-long traverses.    In later years, the … Continue reading →
- [Stoyama Mountain](https://kamloopstrails.com/stoyama-mountain/): The summit of Stoyama Mountain is an elusive hike.    It stands as the most northern (significant) peak in the North Cascades, located in a backcountry area between the Coquihalla and Highway 1 (the Fraser Canyon).    There are a number of backroads to the area, but the main access is from Highway 8 (Merritt to Spences Bridge), then a turn south onto the Petit/Spius Creek Forest Service Road.    After a long, bumpy drive past a number of junctions, take the turn onto the Cabin Lake Road.    The road is reasonable for a while, but soon turns into a very rough (4WD) access road.   Driving all the way to Cabin Lake can be traumatic so hikers may wish … Continue reading →
- [Mount Thynne](https://kamloopstrails.com/mount-thynne/): Mt. Thynne is located south of Brookmere on the east side of the Coquihalla Highway, across from July Mountain.   It is accessed by turning off the Coquihalla Highway at the bridge across the Coldwater River and turning onto the Brookmere Road.  Drive through Brookmere and turn right onto the Mount Thynne Forest Service Road. The gravel road has a number of junctions, some signs, and a number of MSC (Merritt Snowmobile Club) signs (the route to the trailhead).   From Bookmere to the trailhead is about 16 km.   The road continues past that, but it is too rough for most vehicles.   The trailhead is at the Tin Shed Shelter. The “trail” is really a rough double track used to service communications … Continue reading →
- [Red Plateau Ramble](https://kamloopstrails.com/red-plateau-ramble/): On a warm mid-June day we drove up the Red Lake Road, then turned up onto the Red Plateau Forest Service Road.     Near the 4.5 km marker, we parked, then started a hike on tracks and trails across Red Plateau.  Our route connected us with the Dewdrop Trail/Castle Butte/Red Plateau Traverse Trail.    The trail passes above the scramble route to Castle Butte, then we continued on to one of the best viewpoints on the Red Plateau Escarpment.    Rugged lava cliffs rise 700 vertical meters (2300 feet) from the Dewdrop Range below.   After exploring an arch, we had lunch, then returned by the same route. Navigating on Red Plateau requires either past experience or a good app and … Continue reading →
- [Stony Lake Hills](https://kamloopstrails.com/stony-lake-hills/): On a sunny and breezy June day, the route was up the Stony Lake track.     This originally was a cart track that connected homesteads located near the ponds and lakes on the northeast side of Lac du Bois to the main road.   We can access the track from a spot before Lac du Bois near a fenceline or from a point near McQueen Lake.    All of this land is now part of the Lac du Bois Nature Conservation Area so motorized vehicles are not allowed and there are barriers installed.     Walkers, hikers, and naturalists are welcome to go on foot on the old track.  For this day, the plan was to hike to an area above Stony … Continue reading →
- [Mara Mountain NE Route](https://kamloopstrails.com/mara-mountain-ne-route/): In early June we drove the bumpy Pruden Pass Road, then hiked up to the top of Mara Mountain from the northeast side.   We have been doing this hike in spring every year for decades.    There are several routes up the mountain, but this route starts at a higher elevation and is less arduous.    There is no established trail, and the first section is mostly just winding up the open grassland and forest slopes.    After passing a small dry pond, we picked up a known trail over the shoulder of the mountain, then down through a gully, and up and out to the top of the south face of the mountain. Some of the route is up … Continue reading →
- [Greenstone Trails](https://kamloopstrails.com/greenstone-trails/): At the end of May I went up the Greenstone Mountain Road to hike a series of single-track trails.   I parked at the 5 km mark on the Forest Service Road then followed trails to the west, then up through the rocky hills in a counter-clockwise loop.    Although there are some old double tracks in the area, most of the single tracks were built by the mountain biking community.    There are some hand-made signs here and there, but for the most part, hikers need to navigate on their own, making choices at each junction.   I have hiked the trails a number of times and I use a mapping/GPS app (Maps.me) if I come to an unknown junction.    … Continue reading →
- [Buse Hill Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/buse-hill-hike-2/): On a mid-May morning we drove to Barnhartvale, then out the Robbins Range Road to the trailhead to Buse Hill.   Buse Hill has volcanic ridges with steep north-facing cliffs overlooking Buse Lake.  There is a BC Parks Protected Area for the ridge and the cliffs down to the lake.   A double track climbs the grassland slopes to a series of viewpoints.    Most visitors go to the viewpoint and back, but we wanted to hike over to the Buse Pillar and then loop back. We hiked a steep single track down into the forest, then followed an unsigned trail to the west end of the ridge to a spot directly above the pillar.   On the return hike, we followed an … Continue reading →
- [Majerus Falls Trail](https://kamloopstrails.com/majerus-falls-trail/): We have hiked the trail in Wells Gray Provincial Park up the Murtle River to Majerus Falls twice.    There are seven waterfalls on the Murtle River, starting with McDougall Falls near the outlet to Murtle Lake, then a series of waterfalls on the 36 km journey down to the Clearwater River – Meadow Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Majerus Falls, Dawson Falls, the Mushbowl, and finally Helmcken Falls.   McDougall Falls is accessed from the west end of Murtle Lake.    Meadow Falls is rarely hiked to since it means a very long day with lots of deadfall and grown-over tracks.    Horseshoe Falls is about 4 km past Majerus Falls, but that is a 28 km return hike with sections of … Continue reading →
- [Clearwater River Trail](https://kamloopstrails.com/clearwater-river-trail/): On a pleasant spring day, I drove north to Clearwater, then up the wells Gray Road for 4.3 km to a trailhead for the Clearwater River Trail.    This had been an informal parking area for the trail to Triple Decker Falls and beyond, but it is now an official trail with BC Rec Sites and Trails.   There is now a good parking area, signage, and evidence of trail maintenance.    The trail descends from the Clearwater River Road down toward the Clearwater River and continues on to Dutch Lake, but for this day I hiked down to Triple Decker Falls, then to the Osprey Lookout, and to Candle Creek Falls, then I hiked back up the hill to the … Continue reading →
- [Copper Island](https://kamloopstrails.com/copper-island/): On a sunny and calm May morning we drove east to Shuswap Lake Provincial Park at Scotch Creek.    We parked at the boat launch area and got our kayaks ready for launching into the lake.    The crossing to Copper Island was about 2 km.    We paddled to the east side of the island where there are a few gravel landing spots.    We secured our boats and put on our hiking shoes.    The Copper Island Trail is a loop route of abut 2 km.    About half of the trail is along the top of bluffs with fine views in each direction.   After the hike, we had lunch on the beach, then we loaded up and … Continue reading →
- [Sugarloaf and the Lundbom Grasslands](https://kamloopstrails.com/sugarloaf-and-the-lundbom-grasslands/): At the start of May, I drove south to Merritt, then down Highway 5A Princeton for 9km to the Lundbom Lake Road.    This gravel road goes through grassland hills to Rec Sites on Marquart Lake and Lundbom Lake.   We  can park near the lake and pick from a number of double tracks and single track trails through the Lundbom Commonage Area.    A number of mountain bike trails usually start off the double tracks, including the one I hiked on this day.    I hiked northwest toward Hamilton Lake, then up a steep double track to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. The top is accessed by a short scramble up a series of ledges.    From the top we … Continue reading →
- [Stein River Trail](https://kamloopstrails.com/stein-river-trail/): On a warm day in late April we drive down the TransCanada Highway to Lytton.   We crossed the Fraser River on the reaction ferry and drove up the gravel road to the Stein River Road and entered Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park.  We have hiked this trail many times and in recent times, every spring.    we have also backpacked the trail and run the trail.    We keep returning to enjoy the remote route in the backcountry.   The First Nations people of the area view it as a spiritual area and we also have a bond with the valley.     There are cultural and archeological sites on the route which need to be respected.     The campsites along the route … Continue reading →
- [Reinecker Creek and Margaret Falls](https://kamloopstrails.com/reinecker-creek-and-margaret-falls/): On a warm spring day we hiked on three trails off the Sunnybrae to Canoe Point Road along the north side of the Salmon Arm of Shuswap Lake.  First we stopped at Sunnybrae Provincial Park to hike the Sunnybrae Cliffs Trail. Then we drove 7 km north to Herald Provincial Park to hike first to Margaret Falls, then on a loop route around Reinecker Creek.  We also hiked a side route to a hidden waterfall before crossing the creek and hiking back on the west side.     All three hikes are too short to hike only one of them, but all three trails makes a fuller hiking day. If you want to hike the trail to Margaret Falls, go early … Continue reading →
- [Kalamalka Lake Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/kalamalka-lake-hike/): On a warm spring day we drove to Vernon and followed a series of roads to the Cosens Bay Trailhead.    We hiked the Coming Round the Mountain Trail in a clockwise loop, but we also took a series of other trails in a large 11 km loop.    On the western shoulder of the hill we came to a junction.     The main trail wound down to the shoreline of Cosens Bay.    We chose to follow a single track trail over the shoulder which was fine for a while, but it came to the edge of sheer bluffs, then a faint rough track wound its way down the very rocky, steep, and slippery slopes.    In our group, … Continue reading →
- [Barnes Lake Trails Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/barnes-lake-trails-hike-2/): In early May we hiked the horse-and-hiker trails in Barnhartvale.    We started at the Gardiner Road entrance off Barnhartvale Road and we hiked a 9.5 km loop route through the grasslands and the open forest on both double track and single track trails.     Trail maps and signs help anyone new to the trails.   We usually choose the outside loop, combining several trails inside the fenced area.    For this day we saw a couple of other hikers and no horseback riders on the trails. The route starts and finishes traversing open grassland sloes, then goes through open ponderosa pine forest then as it climbs through douglas fir forest on glaciated terrain. Much of the area is surrounded by … Continue reading →
- [Mara Canyon Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/mara-canyon-hike-2/): In the first few days of April we hike a loop route on Mara Mountain.    From the trailhead on West Ord Road, we hiked on steep trails up Cinnamon Ridge, then we descended to the top of the gully and worked our way down Mara Canyon.     This was a two+ hour hike with lots of slow-to-hike steep or slippery spots, but it was scenic and interesting for the whole distance.     This is a hike I have done every year (at least once) for 50 years and one I hope to continue to hike, alternating the direction each time. We saw a bighorn sheep near the start, red-tailed hawks overhead, and some birds in the forested canyon area.  … Continue reading →
- [Deep Lake Loop](https://kamloopstrails.com/deep-lake-loop-2/): On a day in late March, I started by trying to hike to Lyons Lake (northeast of Heffley Creek), but I found the route too muddy,  so I shifted gears and instead drove out to another hike on my list – the Deep Lake Outer Loop.    In February I had hiked trails in the area, on open south-facing slopes up the Community Grasslands Trail and up the hill above the lake (link).   I left the sheltered and muddier routes for a later day.   This day’s hike went up the Deep Lake Outer Loop route and then around the hill on the east side of Deep Lake. The first part of the trail climbed the sagebrush grasslands ridges, and then … Continue reading →
- [Adams River Trail](https://kamloopstrails.com/adams-river-trail/): In early spring I drove out the North Shuswap Road to the Wade Road Trailhead ad hiked north on the Adams River Trail in Tsutswecw Park.    After the forest fires of 2023, the trails were closed and some are still not yet open.    The trail going north has been cleared of fallen or danger trees up to the Adams River Gorge.    At the north end of the Gorge there are fallen trees across the trail and the route ahead didn’t look promising.   I looped back on the upper trail, a wide path through the burned forest.    The hike was about 5 km, taking about 1.75 hours (with a number of side trips to see the river). … Continue reading →
- [Island Lake Loop](https://kamloopstrails.com/island-lake-loop/): On the third day of spring I hiked in one of my favorite areas, the middle grasslands of Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area.    I hike there several times each year and I vary the route each time.     For this day I followed the Long Lake Loop going clockwise above the west side of Island Lake, then I climbed the Grasslands Esker and followed it down to a low point between two hills, then I headed up over an open hill following cattle/tame routes until I met the Long Lake Lookout trail.    After enjoying the view I followed the trail back for about half the distance, then followed another game track through the glaciated terrain of moraines, … Continue reading →
- [Dewdrop Ridge Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/dewdrop-ridge-hike/): On the Spring Equinox we hiked in the Dewdrop Range, using the Bluebird Trail as a starting point, then climbing up to the top of Dewdrop Ridge.    We hiked northwest on the trail on top of the ridge as it angled down to join the Battle Bluff Trail.   From there we went west on the Bluebird Trail, adding a loop route up to a viewpoint, then all the way back to the start.    The weather was mild, but windy.    This is an outstanding hike in any month, but even better on the first day of spring. From the east end of Dewdrop Ridge, there are excellent views of Kamloops Lake, the Thompson River and the hills above … Continue reading →
- [Savona to Sabiston Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/savona-to-sabiston-hike/): We hiked from the Savona Cemetery on the north side of Kamloops Lake along a well-established trail above the railroad to a beach on the west side of Sabiston Creek.   This is a hike we do every year since it is on a south-facing slope near the valley bottom and it is often one of the first trails to dry out.   the trail starts as a double track then becomes a winding single track with lots of ups and downs.    We have been stopping at a beach area for a day hike, but the trail continues on and climbs up through the hills to backroads above the lake. For the duration of the whole hike, there are wide views … Continue reading →
- [Rabbit Island Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/rabbit-island-hike/): At the end of February on a cool and sunny day I hiked from McArthur Island down to the beach area, then waded across the river channel to Rabbit Island.    I wore a dry suit and neoprene boots and the water depth was about mid-thigh with a current, but I used a pole for stability and crossed quickly.    I then went across the sandy beaches to a pile of logs under the cottonwoods.    I removed my dry suit and boots and left them to dry while I hiked clockwise around the island. The north side is all on the beaches and the south side is on a grassy bench above steep sandy slopes down to the river.  … Continue reading →
- [Thompson River Estuary Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/thompson-river-estuary-hike/): On a grey day with a chance of rain in fourth week of February, I drove to Tranquille and parked at the gate.    I then took a rough path down to the wetlands area and wound my way out to the Estuary area.    From there I followed the shoreline downstream, sometimes hiking on the shoreline, sometimes, crossing channels at narrow spots, sometimes on sand-silt islands, and sometimes on rocky beaches.   The route was out to the sandy point where Cooney Bay starts, then back on the road. Various channels wind down from the hills to the river, but there are usually a way to the other side at narrows. This is a scenic route.    There is no … Continue reading →
- [Deep Lake Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/deep-lake-hike/): On a cool February day we hiked up trails in the Deep Lake area to a hill above the lake.    The Deep Lake Outer Loop winds up sagebrush grasslands and open forested slopes to the Grasslands Community Trail on a benchland southwest of the lake, then comes to a junction just south of the lake.    We though that the outer loop route would be icy on the north side of the hill, so we went to the top of the hill for the view instead. A single track trail has some steeper sections as it climbs to the open grasslands. At 2.3 km we arrived at a point above Deep Lake.    Trails continue around the lake, but … Continue reading →
- [Downriver in Winter](https://kamloopstrails.com/downriver-in-winter/): Mild winter weather arrived in February and the rivers became ice-free.     Paddlers can venture onto the water if the temperature is above + 3 and there is no wind.    Since the water is very cold still, we need to wear protective gear.     Neoprene boots and gloves and a dry suit protects the kayaker from cold conditions wading at launch and landing, and sitting in the boat while paddling.   Although a spill is unlikely, a dry suit and a PFD are the best safety measures.    The extra gear takes a bit longer to load and launch and reload again, but if the conditions are good, it is all worth the effort. On a pleasant morning with some … Continue reading →
- [Around Batchelor Hill](https://kamloopstrails.com/around-batchelor-hill/): As winter retreated, the south-facing lower hills dried out.    By  the end of the first week of February, the open grasslands benchlands and hills had damp trails, but not much mud.    We hiked from a trailhead on the southeast corner of Batchelor Hill onto a combination of double tracks and single tracks going west.     The route continued on trails in a large clockwise loop around Batchelor Hill. An old double track winds through sagebrush grassland hills for about half of the route. On the northwest side of Tower Hill is a track which goes through a wet meadow that I have been calling Batchelor Pass for decades.    Mountain bikers call this trail Kow a Been Here. … Continue reading →
- [Cooney Bay Winter Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/cooney-bay-winter-hike/): On a cool and greyish day at the end of January I drove to Cooney Bay to hike along the beach and up the bluffs.    the road was very bumpy with deep puddles, but with slow driving I arrived at the parking area.     My hike was along the shoreline on sandy, then gravel, and then rocky shingle along the lakefront.    Tranquille River was frozen over with water running under the ice making the crossing difficult.    I got my feet wet going both ways. There was a steady wind out of the southeast, but there were geese and ducks on the water.    The shoreline is sandy near the outlet of the Thompson River, but size of … Continue reading →
- [Hiking the Winter Beaches - The Confluence](https://kamloopstrails.com/hiking-the-winter-beaches-the-confluence/): When trail conditions in the hills becomes too muddy, slushy, or icy, hiking at the bottom of the valley is much more appealing.    Routes on gravel, sand, or pavement will leave our boots dry and the risk of slips/falls is greatly reduced.   Many walkers use the paved sections of the Rivers Trail and McArthur Island.    Another choice for hikers is to hike the winter beaches – Airport Beach, West Beaches, the Confluence Beach, Mission Flats Beach, the dike and beach in Westsyde, Cooney Bay, and other riverside routes.    On a mild mid-winter day I chose to hike the Confluence Loop from Overlander Park.    This is a 3.1 km route taking about an hour. There was no … Continue reading →
- [Dogwood Marshes Spike Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/dogwood-marshes-spike-hike/): On a cold winter day we left the valley fog to hike in the Dogwood Marshes area.    The skies were a mix of sun and clouds and there was a rime frost on all of the trees.   With these hard-packed trails, we wore our hiking boots with microspikes attached, and we stomped our way along a series of trails in the high country forests. The red-osier dogwoods were coated in frost as we wound our way south through the Anderson Creek dogwood marshes. We followed trails up to mixed forests, then into aspen groves, and up to Douglas fir forests.   Some of the trails are marked with flagging tapes and signs, and some are user-made trails, so the best … Continue reading →
- [Snowshoeing the Lodgepole Lake Area](https://kamloopstrails.com/snoswhoeing-the-lodgepole-lake-area/): One of the best areas for snowshoeing in the area is from trailheads at Lodgepole Lake.    The lake is higher (4600 feet) than nearby Lac le Jeune and it is on the border of backcountry forests on the flanks of Chuwhels Mountain.  to get to Lodgepole Lake, we turn off the Lac le Jeune Road near Stake Lake and follow the Chuwhels Forest Service Road to Lodgepole Lake.     The road is kept plowed all winter, but it may not yet be in good shape right after a snowfall.     For much of the winter, though, we can easily drive up to the parking area next to the Lodgepole Lake Recreation Site (campground).     There is lots of parking … Continue reading →
- [Snowshoeing the Isobel Lake Trails](https://kamloopstrails.com/snowshoeing-the-isobel-lake-trails/): In mid-January the temperatures rose and snow started to disappear in the valley, but the snow near Isobel Lake is at a higher elevation and the area is in behind forested hills.     The snow was going through some melt-and-freeze cycles so it was hard where it had been walked/biked on, and crusty elsewhere.    The road was hard-packed on the way in so care was needed on the curves, but it was drivable by most vehicles.     The area is walked, snowshoed and ridden on fatbikes in winter (who also maintain the trails).   The parking area was cleared (with thanks) and there were lots of signs along the trails. I wore snowshoes on the trails (rather than spikes on … Continue reading →
- [Bush Lake and Dogwood Marshes](https://kamloopstrails.com/bush-lake-and-dogwood-marshes/): When snow blankets the hills in winter, we can go snowshoeing at higher elevations.     Some of the locations frequented in our area include Stake Lake, Sun Peaks, Harper Mountain, Isobel Lake, Lodgepole Lake, Lac le Jeune, and the Bush Lake – Dogwood Marshes area.   We can also snowshoe backroads and snowed-in trails, either on snowmobile tracks or breaking trail.   There is a fee required to snowshoe at stake Lake, Harper Mountain, or Sun Peaks, but not at the other areas noted above.    Getting to a parking area for trailheads has to be taken into account.    Some roads are not plowed soon after a snowfall, and some roads may require 4WD to access trailheads.   When plows clear roads, … Continue reading →
- [Clay Lake on the Snow](https://kamloopstrails.com/clay-lake-on-the-snow/): Near the end of December right before the more snow blanketed the hills, I went for a hike in the upper grasslands near McQueen Lake.   The route went into the forest on the edge of the McQueen Lake property, then around the end of Clay Lake, then looped through the forest and back through the grasslands.    I had hiked in the area another time not long before so both routes are shown here. Clay Lake was frozen and topped with a layer of snow. It was quiet in the area and there were very few footprints, except for deer tracks crossing my route.   Since I knew the area well, i visited 3 different homesteads, now abandoned for over 100 … Continue reading →
- [Peterson Creek Hills Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/peterson-creek-hills-hike/): On the second day of winter it was a cool, but sunny morning.    We arrived in the morning for a 3-hour hike through the Peterson Creek hills.   We started at the lower trailhead and hiked upstream to the canyon, then crossed the creek and climbed the west side of the hill, working our way to the rim, then uphill to the Tom Moore Trail.   We dropped back down to cross the creek, then followed a single track on the East Rim Trail.    Our hiking club leader took us on a series of winding trails up Tower Hill and back by different trails to the rim of the canyon.    We finished the hike by coming down the east … Continue reading →
- [Mission Flats Winter Beach Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/mission-flats-winter-beach-hike/): When we have milder temperatures near the start of winter, then again in late winter, the snow in the valley bottom melts.    The sandy-silty shoreline is quite porous so the meltwater does not result in mud.    There are a number of winter beach hikes along the shores of the Thompson River, the South Thompson River, and the North Thompson River to enjoy.     One of the the hikes is along the beaches of Mission Flats on the south side of the Thompson River.    The beaches are widest near the mill, but we usually start our hike closer to the Waste Disposal area, at the west end of the beaches.    We hiked there twice doing different routes.  … Continue reading →
- [Sugarloaf Hill Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/sugarloaf-hill-hike/): On a greyish mid-November morning I returned for my annual hike to the top of Sugarloaf Hill.    I started on Sugarloaf Road and followed a double track as it wound past a dry pond, then out near the Coquihalla Highway.   At a junction, I followed the upper track which was fairly grown-in.   The track climbed the slopes of the hill which became more forested on the north-facing steep slope.    At the end of the double track, there is a faint single track trail which climbs the steep slopes.    There is some flagging tape (some of it I placed) and I added a dozen more cairns this time.   There are two hilltops.   The one on the west side … Continue reading →
- [Monck Park Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/monck-park-hike/): In the later part of November I drove to the south end of Nicola Lake, then up the Monck Park Road.    The gate was closed for the season, but there are a few parking spaces at the top, above the gated road.    A single track trail winds down into the park to the day use area and the beaches.    I followed the shoreline trail bearing southwest.    The trail goes to a series of bluffs and then goes up the hill using switchbacks.    After crossing the road, the trail continues to rise up to the fenceline border of the park.   An interesting trail winds along the side-slope, past rock bands, ridges and gullies.    At two … Continue reading →
- [Saltwort Pond Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/saltwort-pond-hike/): On a sunny November day we hiked tracks and routes in the hills above Kamloops Lake.    We started from Abbey Road, parking near the gate, then followed the gravel road as it angled toward the Cherry Bluffs area.   We turned onto a side track and followed it up, then downhill all the way to Saltwort Pond, an alkali dry lake on the benchland.   A series of hills lies between the pond and Kamloops Lake so we hiked up a steep hill off-trail to a viewpoint over the lake, and for a lunch break. From the top of the hill we had open views down Kamloops Lake and over to the Dewdrop Range. We angled down to the lake and … Continue reading →
- [Ironmask Hills Hike on the Snow](https://kamloopstrails.com/ironmask-hills-hike-on-the-snow/): Near the end of November (while the trails were still open) we went to the upper trailhead just off the Lac le Jeune Road and we hiked a loop route on the Ironmask Trails.   We saw a couple of late-season bikers on the trails, but we were breaking trail on the snow for most of the way.    It was a cool, sunny, and breezy day for 2 hours of hiking. These are nice shoulder season hiking trails with single track trails winding through open forests and over open hilltops. The bike trails wind a lot, providing easy grades for uphill routes.    Our hike was 7.5 km, a good distance for a pre-winter hike. On the following day I … Continue reading →
- [Coal Hill Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/coal-hill-hike/): On a sunny morning in the second week of November, we hiked up Coal Hill from the highest point in Aberdeen.    A series of double tracks and single tracks wind up the hill.    Many of the double tracks date back to mining operations on the flanks of Coal Hill, then they were used by ranchers.    Mountain bikers use some of the old tracks, but mostly use newer single tracks connecting to Pineview and the Ironmask Hills.    Some of the slopes are grazing lands, so any hiking in the grasslands area is best done after grazing season, going quietly, leaving nothing but ephemeral footprints.   We wound to the top and enjoyed the views in the wind. On … Continue reading →
- [Greenstone Mountain Trails](https://kamloopstrails.com/greenstone-mountain-trails/): On a late October day we hiked a series of trails on the northeast flank of Greenstone Mountain.    There are a number of mountain bike trails winding through the forests and across ridges and gullies.    The “up” trails (like Take it Easy) are gradual and wind up the slopes.    The “downhill” trails are often steep, and may require technical skills on a bike.    There are a number of connecting trails as well and a number of old tracks cutting across the slopes in an east-west direction, used for logging the area after a forest fire.    In the last two years, many of these tracks are being decommissioned.   Our plan was to hike bike trails winding … Continue reading →
- [Six Mile Lakes Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/six-mile-lakes-hike-2/): On a sunny day we drove out to the Tobiano area, then turned onto the bumpy Pat Lake Road to hike a route in the Six Mile Lakes area.    We parked near Pat Lake, then took a single track trail around the east side and worked our way up onto a double tracks through the hills.     There are a number of old backroads, grassy tracks, and some single tracks to choose from, but we followed a known route, working our way west, then north to Morgan Lake, where we stopped for lunch. We used to call Morgan Lake “the Slough”, but a conservation project turned it into a small lake, then fisheries added trout stock and now it … Continue reading →
- [Lac du Bois Loop Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/lac-du-bois-loop-hike/): Near the end of October I drove up the Lac du Bois Road and parked at the northeast end of the lake.   I hiked the track along the north side of the lake.    There were some ducks on the lake, aspens were in fall colors, but otherwise it was very quiet.    The track leads into Hanging Valley, but at the northwest end of the lake, I followed a faint trail (which have hiked before) into an area on the west side of the hills overlooking Lac du Bois.    There are some game trails and cattle trails too, but the best access is a wider track going up a gully toward the top of the ridge.   There are … Continue reading →
- [Adams River Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/adams-river-hike/): In the last part of October I journeyed out to the North Shuswap Road and then parked at the Wade Road area in Tsutswewc Provincial Park.     This pull-off is on the north side of the road after crossing the bridge across Adams River.  Most hikers go upriver from this spot, but there is a trailhead sign for a trail that goes under the bridge, then continues downriver toward the main spawning area and continues down toward the southeast end of the park near Shuswap Lake. The upper end of the trail has many burned trees from the forest fire of 2023.   Danger trees have been cleared, but there are still a number of deciduous trees (cottonwoods, aspens, birch) still … Continue reading →
- [Custer Lake Loop](https://kamloopstrails.com/custer-lake-loop/): On a fall day I drove to the Lac le Jeune area, going along the Rossmoore Forest Service Road to a point next to a trailhead, then I hiked a known loop route on ski trails, backroads and old tracks.    I had done parts of this route on foot, on a bike and on snowshoes.    At this time of year, there were a couple of dog-walkers on area trails, but for the most part, the rest of the route was quiet.    The Resource Road had been upgraded since there was some active logging on the slopes near the firebreak.   The first 2.7 km was on the Gus Johnson Trail to the end of Lac le Jeune.   The … Continue reading →
- [Wavy Range Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/wavy-range-hike/): We have been to Murtle Lake a number of times and we have paddled both arms, staying at various marine campsites for a few days.    From spots along the lakeshore, we have hiked into the mountains, through the forest, and along rivers and creeks.   This is all remote backcountry so all of the usual precautions are needed. On one trip we paddled up the north arm and camped at Strait Creek.    We decided to hike the Wavy Range Trail.    We forded the creek and started the steep trail up through the forest to the open ridge ascent. There is a small backcountry campsite at about 5 km.   At 5.5 km, the trail enters the alpine zone with … Continue reading →
- [Roche Lakes Backcountry Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/roche-lakes-backcountry-hike/): On a fall day, we drove up to Roche Lake, then we hiked a 12.25 km loop route through the Roche Lake Provincial Park backcountry area.    We started at the junction of the Roche Lake Road and the Black Lake Road.  We hiked along a rough double track to the shores of Black Lake, one of the picturesque and mostly-unspoiled lakes of the park.    From the end of Black Lake, we continued east, passing under the transmission lines and around Bog Lake.   There are several side tracks to ignore, but we knew the way and continued on, heading south past an old cabin to a backcountry campsite on the shores of Ernest Lake.     This is the most … Continue reading →
- [Crowfoot Mountain](https://kamloopstrails.com/crowfoot-mountain/): In past summers, I drove from the Magna Bay area on Shuswap Lake up steep backroads, then parked,  and continued to hike up trails to the top of Crowfoot Mountain.    The tracks going up Crowfoot and over to Mobley Mountain are used more by dirt bikes, quads, snowmobiles, and now mountain bikes, but only a few hikers get to the top of Crowfoot Mountain. The highlight of the hike is the alpine meadows in summer and long views when the weather is clear. Looking east past Angle Mountain are the Monashee Mountains. The track over to Mobley Mountain goes through open meadows.    It is a long hike out and back, so a mountain bike outing might be best. … Continue reading →
- [Juniper Ridge Park Grasslands Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/juniper-ridge-park-grasslands-hike/): On a grey day at the end of September I drove up Rose Hill Road to Scott Road, then I hiked along the double track route across the grassland slopes of Rose Hill to the end of the track and back.   In 2025, 570 acres of this land was purchased by the BC Parks Foundation as a nature preserve – link to more information.   At this time the status of the park is that is still in planning stages. After a hot and dry summer, the grass was longer, but no longer green.    Rabbitbrush was just finishing its flowering cycle.    The route goes through a grasslands zone, but there are also some ponderosa pines, some junipers, a few … Continue reading →
- [West Guardsman Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/west-guardsman-hike/): In early fall we drove up the Tranquille Criss Creek Road to a pullout near a gully which descends into the Tranquille River Canyon.    We followed a well-marked trail (thanks to Al Budreau) along a single track along the rim of the canyon to a steep area where the river canyon is narrow and is flanked by several large rocky hoodoos (The Guardsmen).    We have hiked on the other side of the river, following the Wheeler Mountain Road toward Pruden Pass, then turned down to the river on faint trails to a spot below the Guardsmen.    The trail to the West Guardsman is on the west side and ends at a point above the steep drop to … Continue reading →
- [Hiking the Lower Rose Trails](https://kamloopstrails.com/hiking-the-lower-rose-trails/): At the end of summer I hiked a loop route on grasslands benchlands near Rose Hill.    This area was once under a glacial lake.    The silts, sands, and clay deposits were laid down over several ice ages.    Then as the ice retreated, gullies were cut by continuous meltwaters creating drainage channels for the melting snow and ice higher in the hills.    the gullies have continued to be eroded by spring melt each year.    Hiking in the Lower Rose area requires going down and back up some of the gullies and trails have developed following some of the easier routes.    Double tracks connected power lines and access for ranchers.    Single tracks were added by … Continue reading →
- [Bearcat Caves Exploration](https://kamloopstrails.com/bearcat-caves-exploration/): We had heard about the Bearcat Caves located in the Monte Hills and we decided to try to find the caves then explore them.    We returned several times, each time exploring farther along the caves and fissures and trying new routes where there was safe access.   To get to the Bearcat Caves, we go to Monte Lake and at the north end of the lake, we take the Monte Hills FSR.     The area has been logged many times and there are lots of side roads.    We had coordinates for the caves area so we followed backroads that took us to the trailhead.    A geocache listing provided lots of useful information – Bearcat Caves. There are no … Continue reading →
- [North Batchelor Range Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/north-batchelor-range-hike/): The north end of the Batchelor Range can be reached from the Deep Lake area by hiking the Grasslands Community Trail in the Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area, then going cross-country up the ridge from the north end.   From the trailhead for the Deep Lake Trail to the top of the ridge is a climb of about 581 m (1900 ft).   There are series of hilltops in the Batchelor Range, so we can go up and down several before looping back.    The loop route back for us was off-trail and steep.   The total distance was over 12 km. There is little shade on this route so it is a better hike for late spring or alternately, in early … Continue reading →
- [Sylvia and Goodwin Falls Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/sylvia-and-goodwin-falls-hike/): The Clearwater River Road ran from Clearwater for 38.5 km up the west side of the Clearwater River to the Mahood River confluence.   Before 1975, there was a bridge across the Mahood River and a forest service road ran for another 27 km to the Flourmill Volcanoes area (we forded the river and hiked all the way to the lava flow and cinder cones in the late 1970s).    The Clearwater River Road has faced a few washouts but was repaired.    It was a long and bumpy backroad all the way to the Mahood River.   In recent years a more catastrophic washout and landslide occurred, closing the road at the 11 km mark.    It appears the road will … Continue reading →
- [Skoatl Point Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/skoatl-point-hike/): We drove for many kilometers on backroads to get to Bonaparte Plateau Provincial Park.    For 28 km we drove up the Jamieson Creek Forest Service Road, then turned onto the Windy Lake FSR for 15 km.  We passed the Rec Site on Windy Lake, and followed a narrow, bumpy road to the Skoatl Point trailhead.   We hiked to the base of the volcanic spire and scrambled to the top. The trail winds through burned forest down to Adler Lake.    The wetter area by the lake was not burned.     After going around the west side of the lake, we started to climb through burned forest, winding up to the southeast corner of Skoatl Point. The route up is … Continue reading →
- [A Hike Around Face Lake](https://kamloopstrails.com/a-hke-around-face-lake/): On a sunny summer day I drove up the Paska Lake Road and continued toward Mile High Resort.    I parked outside the resort property, and then walked to the camping area and past to the trailhead for the around-the-lake trail.   The trail is lightly marked, but at a couple of junctions, I took the one closest to the lake and continued all along the east side of Face Lake. The area around Face Lake has lodgepole pine and douglas fir forests, with mixed forests in low or wet areas.   Some of the trees have been thinned lower down.    Higher on the slopes of Chuwhels Mountain the slopes have been logged and replanted. At the north end of the … Continue reading →
- [Rattler Viewpoint Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/rattler-viewpoint-hike/): On previous hikes this summer I hiked over two of the Stake Lake Hills.     First, the Lac le Jeune Lookout (Vista Trail) was hiked from Lac le Jeune.     In the middle of summer, it was a loop route over McConnell Hill.     On this recent day, the hike was through different cross-country and snowshoe trails to the top of the hill Rattler Viewpoint.   The fastest route up was around the west side of Stake Lake (Cartwheel Trail), then up Hold Up.   A sign shows the way to a snowshoe trail which winds through the forest and up the hill. Most of the area around Rattler Viewpoint is douglas fir forest. From the viewpoint there are views to the … Continue reading →
- [Mt. Embleton Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/mt-embleton-hike/): On a sunny day the Mt. Embleton Trails was the hiking destination.    From the upper parking lot, the upper trail wound up through the forest to the Pine Loop Trail and over to the gazebo and the lookout, the highest point on the trails.    From there, the trail descends to a junction and the trail to the right goes down to the Skyline Trail following a rocky ridge back down to the forested slopes. There are fine views most of the way down the Skyline Trail.    As the trail winds down, there are several junctions to return back to the parking lot.    The return route was along the Old Mills Trail, a favorite.   This loop route … Continue reading →
- [Leighton Lake Trail](https://kamloopstrails.com/leighton-lake-trail/): On a hot summer day I drove up to Tunkwa Provincial Park, then turned onto the Leighton Lake Campground Road to the campsite and boat launch area.    I paddled around Leighton Lake first, then secured the boat, and changed into hiking gear.   I hiked the Leighton Lake Trail counter-clockwise, a loop route of 4.3 – 4.5 km (depending on route choices). The trail winds through open forest on the southeast side of the lake and then joins the Tunkwa Lake Campground on the south side of the lake. The lake trail goes between the two lakes (they are connected by a short stream).    Tunkwa Lake is the larger of the two lakes.    We can hike around that … Continue reading →
- [Tranquille Slot Canyons](https://kamloopstrails.com/tranquille-slot-canyons/): The Tranquille Slot Canyons are an extended gorge in the Tranquille River Canyon.    They are accessed by parking at a pullout area off the Tranquille Criss Creek Road, then hiking down a steep trail to the river’s edge.    There are two slot canyons not far apart.     The North Slot has a deeper pool to wade and swim through, but we can go all the way through to the north end, then back.   When we go down to the slot canyons, we bring our gear and leave it by the shoreline, before entering the river. The steep trail down is a single track, winding around a cliff, past some car wrecks, along a ridge, then down through a … Continue reading →
- [Twilight Hill Loop](https://kamloopstrails.com/twilight-hill-loop/): There are a number of steep hills and there are a few trails up through them which can be combined from the trailhead at the end of Uplands/McLeod Drive in Barnhartvale.   For a moderate hike, we sometimes hike a series of single tracks through the grasslands benchlands (Uplands Trails Ramble).   The routes into the hills require some steep climbs on single tracks.    To the east is the Sunrise Mountain Trail which follows the ridge to the top.   West of Sunrise is a mountain/hill of the same elevation which I have been calling Sunset Mountain for many years.    It can be accessed from various directions using old double tracks and newer single tracks.     North of Sunset Mountain are … Continue reading →
- [West Opax Loop](https://kamloopstrails.com/west-opax-loop/): We have been hiking from Lac du Bois to Hanging Valley, then up an old double track up Opax Mountain for many years.   Most years we hike out to the western side of the mountain to the tops of bluffs overlooking the Tranquille River Canyon.    Sometimes we traverse the top of the lava cliffs bearing east and then return on routes down to Lac du Bois.   A newer route was blazed by Al Budreau (Kamloops Backcountry Hikes) in recent times and we decided to try the route down a steep ridge to the western end of Hanging Valley and then back to Lac du Bois. We hiked around the north side of Lac du Bois and started to go … Continue reading →
- [Hiking the Timber Lake Hills](https://kamloopstrails.com/hiking-the-timber-lake-hills/): On a hot summer day, I drove up the Lac le Jeune Road and turned onto the Timber Lake Road, passing under the Coquihalla Highway and parking near a junction of a road that bears west, going up into the hills.   The plan was to hike a known route, one I have done on foot, on cross country skis, and on snowshoes.    The first part of the hike was to go to the top of Timber Lake Hill where a tall communications tower overlooks the grasslands and forests. There are several spots on the east side of the tower area with views looking north over the grasslands hills. From a side route out to the top of a rocky … Continue reading →
- [Zoa Peak Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/zoa-peak-hike/): We have hiked up to the top of Zoa Peak almost every year for many years.    It is usually a fall hike, but this time it was an end-of-July day for the 8.2 km out-and-back route.     The forecast was for 39ºC in Kamloops, so we got an early start and we were at the trailhead by 9:15 am.    The first two kilometers is a steady uphill up the gasline track then onto a single track which winds through the forest up to a subalpine ridge. The second half of the hike up to the top has open views, meadows, and forest pockets winding around rocky hills.    To the north July Mountain stands above the other side … Continue reading →
- [McConnell Hill Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/mcconnell-hill-hike/): One of the hikes to be done each summer is a route that goes over McConnell Hill.    There are a number of ski trails, snowshoe trails, and even cross-country bike trails that can be combined to go up and over McConnell Hill.   Each year the route is changed.    This year the route started at Stake Lake, then followed cross country trails up to the basalt bluffs area, and onto a single track snowshoe trail up to the top of the hill/mesa. The day was hot and there was no wind on Stake Lake as I hiked by. The snowshoe trail is a bit rough and at one point near the top, it passes under a wooden archway. At … Continue reading →
- [Eagle Pass Mountain](https://kamloopstrails.com/eagle-pass-mountain/): Eagle Pass Mountain is located in the Monashee Range, north of the TransCanada Highway, overlooking Eagle Pass between Sicamous and Revelstoke.   Access is by mountain backroads.    The Crazy Creek Forest Service Road angles up the hill and after a few junctions, the final climb up the Eagle Pass Road winds up to a small parking area at the trailhead.    The road is in good shape, but best suited to high clearance vehicles.   We got an early start for the longer drive to the trail. The trail starts by winding up through the forest, then it emerges into an area of sloping meadows, always traversing uphill to the northeast.    The first half is a steady climb, but not … Continue reading →
- [Dead Coyote - Three Amigos Loop](https://kamloopstrails.com/dead-coyote-three-amigos-loop/): There are a number of trails that climb from the Dewdrop Range up the Red Plateau Escarpment to the rim of Red Plateau.    We can combine any two of the trails into a loop route.    Most hikers go up the Dewdrop Trail from the east end of the Dewdrop Range.    The Dead Coyote Trail and the Three Amigos Trail were both developed by mountain bikers as downhill trails from the Red Plateau Traverse route.    The uphill route was from the Tranquille – Criss Creek Road near the Pimple, winding up and around Jag Hill, then continuing west along existing hiking trails west along the plateau.   Alternately, cyclists could bike up the Red Plateau Forest Service Road … Continue reading →
- [Greenstone Mountain Park Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/greenstone-mountain-park-hike/): On a sunny July day I drove up the Greenstone Mountain Road to the summit area to hike trails and routes in Greenstone Mountain Provincial Park.    It is reasonable to drive right to the top, but I prefer to park at a lower spot and do a loop route on tracks and trails.  I have done a hike in this area many times, but I prefer to vary the route each time.    On this day, I started up the main road, then turned off onto a rough single track trail mainly used by dirt bikes.    I used a mapping app (Maps.me) and a GPS-enabled mobile phone to navigate the trails. One part of the single track trail … Continue reading →
- [Gil's Trail to Tod Lake](https://kamloopstrails.com/gils-trail-to-tod-lake/): The chairlift at Sun Peaks starts at 10:00 am and I was first on the chair to hike the upper trails on a sunny July day.    From mid-station I took the Gil’s Trail which winds around through the forest on the east side of the mountain crossing a number of steep downhill runs on the way to the north part of the mountain.  The trail is a single track which gradually gains altitude for 2.4 km. There are some open viewpoints as the trail crosses ski runs.    The views look to the east.    There are two reservoirs (used for snow-making) and one lake (Cahilty Lake) on the forested plateau. Gil’s Trail joins the main trail system at … Continue reading →
- [Kayaking Map](https://kamloopstrails.com/kayaking-map/): An interactive Google Map showing many of the kayaking spots in the Greater Kamloops area (which I have paddled) is provided here.   Locations and images are included and links to posts/articles with more specific information on the spot are provided if a post is published on KamloopsTrails.com or RambleOn.ca.   As new posts and news are added, the map will also be updated. An embedded map is provided here:     The map can also be seen on Google maps at this link – Kayaking in the Kamloops Area   Some of these locations are suitable for all paddlers and some have more difficult access.    Comments are added,  where needed.   The map will continue to be updated each week.   … Continue reading →
- [Trophy Meadows and Tarns](https://kamloopstrails.com/trophy-meadows-and-tarns/): At the end of the first week of July, a hike to the Trophy Mountain meadows and tarns was the course for the day.    It takes about 2 hours to get to the end of the Trophy Mountain Road and the trailhead.   It was an early start and I was first on the trail, hiking through the forest for 2 km, then up through the meadows below Little Hill. From the Shepherd’s Hut I followed the ridge up past some small tarns to a rocky crest. Just past the crest the trail passes above Sheila Lake.    The backcountry campground there is located on the south end of the lake and there was no one camping on this day. … Continue reading →
- [Lac le Jeune Lookout Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/lac-le-jeune-lookout-hike/): On a sunny and mild early July morning we started a hike from the Lac le Jeune Beach area in the campground and hiked the lakeshore trail, out through the gate to the road, then onto the Rossmoore Forest Service Road,  before going up old unnamed tracks up to the viewpoint on Lookout Hill.    there are several routes to the top, including the Vista Trail, a winter route.    For this day we followed unmarked/unsigned tracks up from the south and down the west side of the bluffs. From the top of the bluffs we had wide views to the south and west, including Lac le Jeune and Ridge Mountain. We followed an unsigned single track back down the … Continue reading →
- [Hamilton Corrals Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/hamilton-corrals-hike/): For many years we have hiked the grassland hills of the Hamilton Corrals, a Commonage area between Hamilton Mountain and the Quilchena – Pennask Road.    We have hiked in spring, summer, and fall and had not yet put it into the schedule, but serendipity intervened and we hiked the west end of the trails on a pleasant early summer day.   We had planned to hike Mt. Thynne.    We drove south to Brookmere, them turned to climb the mountain There was a sign posted at the bottom of the forest service road that the road was closed because bridges were being replaced.     Since we knew there were several roads that approach the mountain, we drove up anyway and, … Continue reading →
- [Tod Mountain Summit](https://kamloopstrails.com/tod-mountain-summit/): Most of the snow had cleared off the trails on Tod Mountain by the third week of June.    The chairlift had opened in the middle of June and hikers had been exploring the trails above mid-station for a couple of weeks.   I was first on the chair on a mid-week morning and started my hike up the hill early.    I was not sure about trail conditions so I thought that I would continue to climb as far as was reasonable for the early season.   As it turned out, the first snow was below the summit at the junction between the Westridge Trail and the upper end of the West Bowl Trail.    The dale below the peak was … Continue reading →
- [Wounded Knee Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/wounded-knee-hike/): For decades we have been driving south to hike the Lundbom Grasslands, usually in June.    Access is through Merritt and up Highway 5C to the turn to Lundbom Lake.    We parked near the lake then hiked a 9.4 km route out toward Hamilton Lake, then up the Cocobonk Trail.    At a signed junction we continued along the Wounded Knee Trail.    There are a number of trail junctions to choose from, but for this day we followed a known route, looping back to the Cocobonk Trail and then back to Lundbom Lake. Much of the route is in open grasslands, following old double tracks and newer single tracks through the hills to the northeast of Sugarloaf Mountain. … Continue reading →
- [Reinecker Creek Trails](https://kamloopstrails.com/reinecker-creek-trails/): We drove out to Shuswap Lake and continued onto the Sunnybrae – Canoe Point Road out to Herald Provincial Park.    From the parking lot we hiked into Margaret Falls and back out to the start area, then hiked a loop route up the east side to a side trail above the falls, and then continued up Reinecker Creek to cross a bridge and return back down the east side.   This was a two hour hike, taking our time to enjoy the views and the spring wildflowers. The trail up to Margaret Falls is a flat route going up the gorge to the base of the falls. Margaret Falls falls 90 feet in tiers down into the creek. From the … Continue reading →
- [Exploring Mara Meadows Ecological Reserve](https://kamloopstrails.com/exploring-mara-meadows-ecological-reserve/): There are no trails and no realistic access routes into Mara Meadows Ecological Reserve.    Until recently hikers could not enter the park/protected area without a permit.    Just this year, hikers may explore the reserve, but without established trails, fixed signage, or route information, we are left to figure it out on our own.    There are two backroads that can be used to get close to the central area, but from wherever you choose to park, you will have to navigate, following traces of tracks and trails to get to the central marsh area.    We hiked two routes from the west following old double tracks, then bushwhacking to the edge of the marsh, and back retracing our … Continue reading →
- [Stake Lake Thrice](https://kamloopstrails.com/stake-lake-thrice/): On a warm June morning I drove to Stake Lake to paddle and hike.   I got onto the water early and paddled twice around the lake, once in each direction.    Then I loaded and secured the boat, put on some hiking shoes and followed trails around the lake for a third time.   This has become a favorite outing in the last few years, one I will do again, but the hiking route is varied each time.    On other days I have paddled a nearby lake (Lodgepole Lake, McConnell Lake, or Walloper), then I made the short drive to Stake Lake for the hike. When I arrived at the lake there were two fishing boats on the lake, but … Continue reading →
- [Buse Hill Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/buse-hill-hike/): On a sunny June weekday morning I drove through Barnhartvale and up the Robbins Range Road to the Buse Hill trailhead.    I hiked up the steep double track to a small lake under Buse Hill, then went off track over the east shoulder to the rim, then continued west along the rim, down through gullies on single tracks, then back up the rim, all the way to the end of the hill overlooking the Buse Pinnacle.    On the way back, I looped through the forest and joined the main track on the south-facing grassland slopes. At about 1.2 kilometers up the track,  a small lake sits in a low spot between the hills.    The actual summit of … Continue reading →
- [Up the Red Plateau Escarpment](https://kamloopstrails.com/up-the-red-plateau-escarpment/): On a hot (34 degrees C) end-of-May day, we drove into the Dewdrop Range and parked at the Dewdrop Trailhead area.    We got an early start and hiked steadily up the steep trail, climbing a series of ridges on the Red Plateau Escarpment.     There are a number of viewpoints and possible end points along the way, but for this day, we continued along the rim, traversing west to the top of the Ragged Red Ridge, our lunch and turn-around point.   We enjoyed the open views and explored the lava flow formations a bit, then we headed back down, retracing our steps, hiking back the way we came up. The climb from the Dewdrop Range up to the rim … Continue reading →
- [Mara Northeast Route](https://kamloopstrails.com/mara-northeast-route/): Each year we hike to the top of Mara Hill/Mountain choosing one of three different routes.   Our favorite route is from the northeast, at the fenceline in Pruden Pass.    We drive up the Lac du Bois Road, then turn left onto the Pruden Pass Road.   We follow the bumpy route to the gate and park there (the former site of the Wheeler Mountain School).    The sign on the fence says “No Trespassing,” but it really refers to the private property 600 m farther on.    The lands to the west (for 600m ) are BC Parks lands so we can hike them, although there is no visible trail.   We angled off to the southwest, picking up an occasional … Continue reading →
- [Napier Lake Ranch Conservation Area](https://kamloopstrails.com/napier-lake-ranch-conservation-area/): 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 … Continue reading →
- [Gattling Gorge Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/gattling-gorge-hike/): In mid-May we drove north through Clearwater into Wells Gray Provincial Park.    We continued on paved roads to the turn to Helmcken Falls.    We parked in the lot there and enjoyed the viewing areas for the falls, but we continued on along the rim trail following the Murtle River down to the Confluence with the Clearwater River.   A signed single track follows the edge/rim of the lava cliffs bearing west, then contours north above the Clearwater River,  with many views down into the canyon.   There are no guard rails on this section of the trail, making it unsuitable for dogs or children, and even experienced hikers have to be cautious along this part of the trail. Any hike … Continue reading →
- [Rose Swanson Trails](https://kamloopstrails.com/rose-swanson-trails/): We drove southeast through Falkland, then we continued on a series of backroads to the trailhead for the Rose – Swanson Trails, in the forested trails to the west of Armstrong.   We had hiked here before, so we chose this time to vary our route from previous hikes.    We hiked through the forest on the north slopes of the hill toward the southeast and then out to the top of bluffs looking south, southeast, and east into the North Okanagan.    Our route was about 7 km, but we included some breaks, so we were on the trails for about 2.5 hours. The main trail was a wide track through cedar, birch, and lodgepole (and jack pine) forests. From … Continue reading →
- [Albas Falls Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/albas-falls-hike/): At the end of the first week of May, we drove east to Shuswap Lake, then out the North Shuswap Road and out toward the end of Seymour Arm, a 150 km route (each way) to hike the Albas Falls Trails.   The Albas Site is part of Shuswap Lake Marine Park and it is often visited by boats.    At this time of year, there were no boats in sight and no one else on the trails.    The Celista – Seymour Arm Forest Service Road is a wide gravel road, with some logging trucks, but is a good road, although it was dusty.    the turn down toward the lake has a small sign and the road into the … Continue reading →
- [Griffin Lake with a Folding Kayak](https://kamloopstrails.com/griffin-lake-with-a-folding-kayak/): In early May I drove up the Lac du Bois Road then turned onto the Isobel Lake Road and parked just off the roadside.    I had my folding kayak in a large backpack so I gathered my gear and then hiked to the marshy shoreline of Griffin Lake.   I had paddled the lake once before, hauling my kayak through the woods and into the lake, on rough ground, but this was the first time with a folding kayak. The distance from the truck to the marshy launch area was only about 150m, an easy hike with the boat on my back.    The boat (Oru Inlet) unfolds like an origami puzzle and then it has clips to hold the … Continue reading →
- [Gibraltar Rock from the West](https://kamloopstrails.com/gibraltar-rock-from-the-west/): On a Saturday morning, we had the Paul Lake Park Group Site for a get-together, and we started off the day by hiking the trail up to the top of Gibraltar Rock and back, a moderate 6.7 km out-and-back route.   Many hikers, dog walkers, and runners also use this trail in Paul Lake Provincial Park.    It is a well-maintained trail with signage at the trailhead and at junctions.   It can be busy at summer prime times, but we met only a couple of other hikers along the way on this day. We started at the Paul Lake Group Site where Paul Creek flows out of the lake into a marshy area. Along the lakeside trail were continuing views of … Continue reading →
- [Neskonlith Meadows to Aylmer Lake Hike](https://kamloopstrails.com/neskonlith-meadows-to-aylmer-lake-hike/): Near the end of April, we stopped at the Adams Lake Indian Band Office to get a permit to hike the Neskonlith Meadows Trail on the Reserve.    We then drove up the Bear-Loakin/Neskonlith Lake Road to the trailhead.    We hiked 10.7 km to Aylmer (Star) Lake and back.   The lower end was through the wildflowers in the meadows.    The upper end was behind the ridge, through the forest to Aylmer Lake. There is a double track to follow all the way, but we went off track to enjoy the wildflowers in the meadows.    Neskonlith Lake lay 1.5 km to the west.   We will be back there to paddle the lake in the next month. As we … Continue reading →

## Pages

- [More Nature Hikes](https://kamloopstrails.com/more-nature-hikes/): [sp_news grid=”list” category=”17″ pagination=”true”]
- [More Kayaking](https://kamloopstrails.com/paddling/more-kayaking/): [sp_news grid=”list” category=”27″ pagination=”true”]
- [More Hikes](https://kamloopstrails.com/more-hikes/): [sp_news grid=”list” category=”11″ pagination=”true”]
- [Paddling](https://kamloopstrails.com/paddling/): [show_posts filter=”paddling”]
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- [Journal](https://kamloopstrails.com/journal/): [sp_news grid=”3″ category=”16″ pagination=”true”]
- [About](https://kamloopstrails.com/about/): Kamloops Trails was started in 2010 and featured 1-2 posts a week for the duration.    In the first years it was mostly hiking, then I added paddling, snowshoeing, and nature hikes.     I also added new websites in the last 7 years, specializing in some the other activities.    Recently, all of my websites were decimated by malware and the task of cleaning everything up would need a developer and lots of money, so I let them all terminate and started a new site.    The original was KamloopsTrails.net, then I added KamloopsTrails.ca, and the latest version is KamloopsTrails.com. I created websites that became content management systems,  with guides and resources for hiking, paddling, snowshoeing, nature studies, geography, and … Continue reading →

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