The “trail” to the Tappen Bluffs viewpoint is really a backroad, except for the last steep section.   A high clearance vehicle can drive for 3.5+ km and then park at a suitable spot for a short hike, but we chose to hike the whole way instead.   The up and back route (including some exploration on top) was 9.4 km.   The start is just off the Skimikin Lake Road before the Skimikin Nursery.   The road is named as the Dondaneau FSR.   We parked at the bottom before a junction in the road.   The hike (or drive) goes to the left.

The hike is a walk along a double track through the forest with only occasional views.   We were pleased to see many wildflowers along the way on the is June hike.   Click on any image to see a larger view and a caption with the flower ID.

chicory

comfrey

hoary alyssum

mock orange

IMG_0348mock orange

self heal

copper butterfly on oxeye daisy

pearly everlasting

spreading dogbane

dogbane

sedum

larch tree

yellow sweet clover

Birdsfoot trefoil

mullein

At the top is a wide view over the Tappen area with the Salmon Arm of Shuswap Lake.

With a little hike out to another rocky bluff we were treated to views over to White Lake.   The snow-mantled peaks beyond are in the Anstey Range of the Monashee Mountains

This moderate hike climbs 345 m (1128 ft) and takes about 2.5 hours.

We hope to return to snowshoe this route in the winter.