Before the snows have melted in the hills of Kamloops, a good choice for a low elevation hike is at Cooney Bay.   Take the road to Tranquille and stay left following the rough gravel road to the end where there is a large parking lot.   Hike for a short distance along the Thompson river where it empties into Kamloops Lake, then continue along the beach around Cooney Bay.

The area where the river enters the lake is surrounded by sandbars in the late winter and early spring, a result of the river slowing as it enters the lake waters, allowing suspended silts to deposit on the river bed, forming a large estuary.

Although the South Thompson River was clear of ice, the North Thompson River had floating chunks of ice coming downstream.   A large berg floated through Cooney Bay on its way toward Battle Bluff.

The route along the beach requires a crossing of the Tranquille River which has a new stream course over the last 200m.

At the end of Cooney Bay we had to climb over a rock bluff.   This route provides the best views of the area.

A few smaller bergs floated along the shoreline.   the gravelly beaches are wider at  low water, providing a good route for hiking.

Beachcombing along the route is one of the attractions.   We spotted a number of items left on the beach, including fresh water mussel shells and driftwood.

Poison ivy grows above the high water mark, leafless in early spring.   We were able to spot the white berries in teh duff at the base of the woody shrubs.   The volatile oils in poison ivy are lessened in winter, but with no visible “leaves of three” we should still “leave them be.”

Our route was out to the last beach before Battle Bluff for lunch then back by the same route.   As we returned we noted that the bergs had moved farther down the lake.   On the way back we had garbage bags to help with picking up trash in Cooney Bay.   We will be back again soon to paddle the east end of the lake as the rivers rise and the beaches shrink.

More Information:

• Cooney Bay to Battle Bluff (kayaking)
• Cooney Bay Winter Walk