January was mild and the bottom of the Thompson River Valley dried enough to allow ice-free hiking. We drove to the west end of Kamloops Lake and parked at the Savona Cemetary on the north side of the lake. We hike the single track trail above the railway to the beach just before Sabiston Creek. There was a bit of … Continue reading…
In early spring the south-facing lower slopes of the river and lake valleys dry out first and a good choice for a 9.3 km return hike is to follow a trail from the Savona Cemetery along the slopes of Kamloops Lake toward Sabiston Creek. The trail continues past the beach area there by the tracks, but it climbs steeply up … Continue reading…
The south-facing open sloped hills above the west end of Kamloops Lake dry out quickly and because of this, we hike the Savona to Sabiston Creek Trail in March. We started at the Savona Cemetery and followed the double track above the railway tracks in an easterly direction as the route turned to single tracks, then rougher single tracks on … Continue reading…
Although this is an informal trail, it is easy to find and easy to follow. The trail follows the shoreline of Kamloops Lake above the railway line to the Sabiston Creek area. It is usually hiked in early spring when all other trails are still muddy or snowy. Driving Directions: Drive west on Highway #1 through Savona. Cross the bridge … Continue reading…
When we reach transition season and all the trails are either snowy, icy, or muddy, we have a few “go-to trails” we can hike in late winter and early spring. The Savona to Sabiston Creek hike is just above the lake and the whole route is on a south-facing slope, so it is often the first to clear and dry … Continue reading…
When the winter snows start to melt one of the first trails to dry out is the Savona to Sabiston Creek Trail. it faces south, has no trees, is sloped to face the low winter-early spring sun, and is subject to the drying winds of the Kamloops Lake corridor. When other trails still have snow, ice, and mud, this trail … Continue reading…
This is not a hike in any book, nor could we call this a trail, per se. The route follows a good dirt road, but since there is a gate at the junction with the Sabiston Road, it is listed as a hike (or route). Drive up the Sabiston Road from west of Savona for 9-10 km and park at … Continue reading…
When winter snows blanket the hills we first hike on the snow, but as the snow depth builds up, we turn to snowshoeing. But in many months in the Kamloops area, warm temperatures arrive for up to a month and the snow melts at lower elevations. The snow on the hills becomes slushy, crusty, or icy, so hiking becomes a … Continue reading…
The following trails have their own pages, each a basic hiking guide. (This page will be populated with a long list of trails, links, and maps over the period of time, but there are articles on all of these, to be found with the Search bar. More links to be added over time). Kamloops Trails: Barnes Lake Trails Batchelor Hills … Continue reading…
Painted Bluffs Provincial Park is an outstanding location to hike to, but its not an easy route. I have paddled there from Savona or Tobiano and i have hiked over the hills from every direction to get there each year. In early May a small group hiked over the hills from the Copper Creek Road, climbing over ridges through gullies … Continue reading…
In a time of social distancing, we can stay at home or we still get out to walk or hike as long as we make wises choices, keeping our distance. Some trails are busy, some are narrow, and some are closed. This news post may assist hikers to make good choices. The BC Government has closed some trails in our … Continue reading…
A number of hikes have been planned and scheduled, all to fit probable conditions for each area: March – April Savona to Sabiston Trail Battle Bluff – Dewdrop Ridge Frederick Bluffs Rabbit Island Long Lake Mara Canyon and Summit Painted Bluffs Six Mile Hills Neskonlith Meadows and more May – June Canyon Creeks Mt. Wheeler Traverse Red Plateau Escarpment … Continue reading…
Painted Bluffs Provincial Park lies on the north side of Kamloops Lake east of Copper Creek. Access by land is difficult, but it can be done from the Copper Creek Road just below the Sabiston Creek Road junction (link). We have been in to Painted Bluffs five times in the last 2 years, with the last time by kayak from … Continue reading…
We hiked from Tranquille to Savona over 2 days covering about 38 km over the hills on the north side of Kamloops Lake (link to the story). On our first day we hiked all the way to Painted Bluffs Provincial Park, then climbed over the hills to a rustic site near the Carabine Creek Road. On Day 2 we … Continue reading…
Painted Bluffs Provincial Park is a series of colorful ridges and gullies on the north side of Kamloops Trails. Access is overland from the Copper Creek Road or by boat to the beach area below the bluffs. We have been to Painted Bluffs many times. We tried a different route in the spring, arriving at the top of the bluffs, … Continue reading…
Access to Painted Bluffs Provincial Park is limited and fairly difficult except by boat. We have gone overland several times, but we find it easier to paddle over in our kayaks and walk up to the bottom end of the bluffs. On this last outing, we hiked overland from the Sabiston Creek Road – Copper Creek road over the hills, … Continue reading…
