Hiking up on the Bonaparte Plateau is a quiet ramble amongst the lakes, forest, and low-rolling hills.   Views are limited.   In the middle of the plateau, though, Skoatl Point rises 100m above the forest, bald and volcanic.  The hike in and back out takes about 3 hours on a well-established trail.

When we first hiked to Skoatl, the roads were hard to follow, the trailhead was unmarked and there were times that the trail was indistinct, or traversed wetlands.   Now that the trails are in a provincial park, roads and trailheads are marked, and the trail is distinct and easy to follow.    From Kamloops, follow Westsyde Road north to the Jamieson Creek FSR.   Follow this road until you hit Whitewood Lake, then turn left on the Windy Lake Road.   Follow this road past Windy Lake and look for a trailhead sign (on your right).   The trail aims north past a pond, then over to the west side of Adler Lake (ignore the trail to Hoover Lake to your east).   At the end of Adler Lake, the traverse across the meadow is wet early in the season.   The route climbs and starts to angle over to the southeast corner of Skoatl.   You will arrive at a rock slope below basalt columns; the route is on the east side.   You will wind your way through the rubble up to the base of Skoatl.   You may be dismayed to look up and see no trail.   The route to the top is a scramble with steep sections.   In dry conditions, you pick your way carefully up, but in wet conditions, the route can be slippery and less safe.

The view from the top affords a 360 degree view of the Bonaparte Plateau and a good look at the area lakes – Dagger, Hoover, Lloyd, Estelle, Osprey, Adler, Windy, Tuwut, Couture, Mollimarn,  and Willowgrouse.   This is a special spot to have lunch, and enjoy the landscape.

If you pick Skoatl as a hike, I recommend July-October.   Early in July will be buggy and potentially wet.   This is a long day (travel time + hiking time) so plan for an early start and look for good weather.   Carry bear spray and bring a compass or GPS.   If conditions are wet, consider not going to the top (Kamloops Search and Rescue has been active here).   This is remote country so hike in small groups and plan for all conditions.   But, be sure to put this hike on your To-Do List!