The fine trails on the northeast end of Kenna Cartwright Park are not well known, but they are interesting trails with excellent views.   The best access is from the recycling area on Bunker Road (drive past the bins and park).   The entrance trail is the Sage Trail. and any combination of trails can be used.  On this last outing we hiked Sage – Fescue – Arnica – TRU Connector – Panorama – TRU – Arnica – Sage for a total of about 3.5 km.

The rocky hills of the area are mostly covered in grasslands and sagebrush with a few trees in the gullies.

We were pleased to hike the trails when the sagebrush mariposa lilies were in bloom.

From the Panorama Trail, the view to the west is down Kamloops Lake.

A  few clusters of prickly pear cactus were in bloom in dry, sunny spots.

The confluence of the South Thompson and North Thompson Rivers lies to the east.

Summer wildflowers will continue through into the first part of August.

gaillardia

When I paddled the Thompson River in mid-June, there were flood channels in Rabbit Island.   At the end of June, the river is not so high and the first sandbars are starting to show.

An early appearance of rabbit brush was already blooming on these lower elevation slopes.

A swallowtail butterfly was harvesting nectar from a Canada thistle next to the Arnica trail.

On a hot day this is a good trail system for a morning hike.   There is no shade, but the distances are shorter while the views are outstanding.