The Trackless Way
The ridge that runs along the Dewdrop Range overlooking Kamloops Lake has no trail, but the route is open forest and grassland with fine views for the the whole way. Go up the Red Lake Road and turn onto the Frederick (Dewdrop) Road. Park on the right in a pullout. Climb the hill on the south side to the top of the ridge for the view. Follow the ridge west, staying on top.
Views extend east to the Thompson River Valley beyond the head of the lake.
The open forest has a few ponderosa pines and many standing snags. Below the basalt columns face Battle Bluff, which stands south of the ridge.
On this day, the buttercups were finally blooming and a few yellow bells had just appeared. Sandhill cranes passed overhead, circling on the updrafts over Red Plateau.
The route has to go up and down hills that make up the ridge, but the overall elevation gains/losses are reasonable. Near the west end, the ridge fans out to sagebrush, gullies, and hills. Any route will work fine. A fenceline at the west end makes a good return spot. We followed a double track that went north to the Frederick Road where we had dropped off a vehicle. The one-way route was about 6km, a wonderful route for a spring day.