There are some old tracks and some new connector sections that can be combined to hike a loop route in the Tranquille Canyon near Watching Creek.   We parked at the pullout loop next to the old Watching Creek Rec Site and hiked down through the informal camping area down to the river. 

The river was at high flow in June and funnels through a narrows in the canyon. 

We followed the river shore down to the next narrows, picking up an informal connector trail up to the rim. 

We hiked on a single track in the open forest along the Tranquille Canyon rim. 

We followed the track to a junction with an old double track, then back onto another connector trail that follows the rim around to a gully.    Unmarked, descending into the gully is an old trail developed by the Forest Service that we used to hike, but is now in disuse.    It is still in good shape until the final slope to the river.   We scrambled down the eroded track to the side of the river.  The river emerges from another narrows with colorful cliffs on both sides of the canyon. 

Downstream the river flowed quickly on its way to Kamloops Lake.   About 3.5 km downstream are the Tranquille Slot Canyons.  

This is a route that requires some navigation, but here is a video of the route for those who would like to explore the area. 

My rating for this hike – [rating stars=”4.5″]