The hike to the western rim of Opax Mountain is a longer hike (15km return), one we have done many times, but it is a uniquely-Kamloops area hike that we do almost every year.    The trail starts in the upper grasslands at Lac du Bois, then goes along the north shore of the lake into Hanging Valley.

A grown-over grassy track angles into the trees and starts to climb the slopes of Opax Mountain.   Lac du Bois could be seen below to the east. 

There are lava cliffs that surround the upper part of Opax Mountain on every side.  

At the end point of the route, we stopped for lunch at a spot overlooking Tranquille River Canyon. 

From the edge of the cliffs we could see up the river valley.    Watching Hill was about 5 km northwest,   Beyond was the Tranquille Highlands on the way to the source of the river on Porcupine Ridge. 

The route was an out-and-back route, but the hills are gradual, easy on the legs.    We could see our vehicles on the far shore of Lac du Bois, 3 km away. 

We returned to Hanging Valley, at its greenest. 

We hiked past Lac du Bois, at the end of a 4.5 hour hike.

• My rating for this hike – [rating stars="4.0"]
• This video shows the route out and back.