Although there are 4 official entrances into Kenna Cartwright Park, there are others too, and the one we often use is on the road between the Correctional Facility and the Highway.   We drive toward the end of Hillside Drive past the prison, then we park at the old gate where the road dips to the lowest point.   There are a number of tracks there that lead into the west end of the park.

There are a number of loops possible from this end.   We enjoy the Mesa Trail (link), Big Pine, the Ridge Trail, or any combination of trails in the west end.   These trails are a little drier in shoulder season because of their south-facing slopes.  On my last run on these trails, I went out to the end of the Sunset Trail to see the newly constructed viewing platform.

The views at this point and at several places along the Mesa Trail offer one of our best views northwest to Tranquille and Kamloops Lake.

To the west, the grassland hills stretch along the south side of Kamloops Lake.

The Sunset Trail is short, but makes a good side route to take in the view when hiking the Mesa Trail or with any of the combined trails on the west side of the park.

Coordinates:

Park – N50 39.984 W120 25.146

End of Sunset Trail – N50 40.462 W120 25.667