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Trophy Meadows and Tarns

Kamloops Trails Posted on 2025-07-12 by dsmith2025-07-10  

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.

Continuing up the ridge the trail passes several tarns, some of the most scenic spots on the trail.

Looking northeast, three of the Trophy Mountain peaks are visible.    I have climbed to the top of all of them over decades of hiking the area.    Some of these peaks require an all-day effort to complete and return (I finished in the dark once).

After hiking up for over two hours, I returned back on the same trail.    Raft Mountain stood to the southeast, calling for a return hike later in the month.

Since 1977 I have hiked up into the Trophy Range every year and sometimes more than once.    As I get older, I sometimes opt for a route through the meadows and tarns and go to the rim of one of the peaks from time to time.

This is one of the most rewarding hikes in the Interior, my personal favorite.    I usually time the outing to one of the wildflower bloom periods.    Some of the wildflowers spotted in 2025 are shared in a Google Photos album – Trophy Meadows and Tarns.

A new YouTube video is now published at this link – Trophy Meadows and Tarns

I hope to hike one of the East Trophy Peaks later in the summer.

 

 

 

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Gattling Gorge Hike

Kamloops Trails Posted on 2025-05-25 by dsmith2025-05-25  

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 →

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