Grasslands Loop
Kamloops is very lucky to have such a large tract of hikable/bikable grassland so close to town. A large expanse of open terrain is found beyond Deep Lake. The Deep Lake hike is started at the end of Ida Lane in Westsyde. It is a reasonably short uphill hike to the south end of the lake. From that spot, many routes angle off through the grasslands. The Grasslands Community Trail is west. It carries onto the Long Lake Road and then beyond to McQueen Lake. Another infrequently traveled route follows the fibre optic road north up the hill overlooking the McQueen Creek Road. A loop can be done by descending down to the road, then following it west and returning by the Community Grasslands Trail (a trail sign is found at the junction). We have also gone off the double track to follow single tracks through the meadows or over viewoints shown in red on the map projection). Depending on the route you choose, you will travel 12-14 km from Deep Lake and back. It can be hiked or mountain biked. Almost all of it is in the open so bring sunscreen. Watch for ticks in the spring. On our last trip in mid-March, the open areas were dry, but the gullies and north slopes still had snow. Buttercups were peeking up, but we could see evidence of mariposa lily, balsam root, larkspur, cranesbill, yarrow, roses, hawthorns, saskatoons, bunchgrass, crested wheatgrass, and the other denizens of the dry grasslands habitat.
There is not much color in March on the grasslands, but spring color will return in May: