I started exploring this area in 1976 and I continue to follow tracks and routes wherever they lead, with the aid of map, compass, GPSr and camera. After many dead-ends, but also many discoveries, I chose to share this information. Getting out 12 months each year, I continue to explore trails, tracks, routes, and waterways of the Kamloops area and beyond.
Paddling on any large lake is a transit from one marine campsite to the next. There are 4 backcountry campgrounds on Azure Lake. Each has its own special quality. They all have tent sites, a beach, a metal food cache, firepits, outhouses, firewood, and picnic tables. The best of all the campsites is at Rainbow Falls, as noted in the … Continue reading…
At the end of Azure Lake is a magical spot. Rainbow Falls Campground sits about 5km from the east end of the lake. Angus Horne River flows into the lake here, tumbling over Rainbow Falls. Millennia of silt deposits have created a sandy crescent of a beach from the river mouth west around the bay. Campsites in the woods fronting … Continue reading…
Azure Lake lies deep within Wells Gray Park. At the end of the Wells Gray Corridor Road, Clearwater Lake starts, extending 24 km north. At the farend, the Clearwater River empties into the lake. To get to Azure Lake, boats have to paddle up the river for 3 km. There is a portage at the halfway point, but when I … Continue reading…
If you go in to the Assiniboine area, there are 3-4 main dayhikes. The way in and back out can take 1-2 days each way. We once went from Bryant Creek to Magog Lake once, then out through Og Meadows, Valley of the Rocks, Simpson River, Citadel Pass, and Sunshine Meadows, a total of 48km. We did this on a … Continue reading…
We hiked all the main trails in the Assiniboine Mountain area and the Nub hike was our favorite. The peak of the Nub at 9000 feet stands out in the middle of the surrounding peaks with views to every part of the core area. From Lake Magog, follow the main trail for 3.6km through the forest towards the Nublet. On … Continue reading…
In the Mount Assiniboine area, most hikers basecamp from Lake Magog and do day hikes on a number of trails and just about everyone does the lakes loop past Sunburst Lake, Cerulean Lake and Elizabeth Lake. The most logical route is to take the trail up to the Niblet for the viewpoint then wind down toward Elizabeth Lake and the … Continue reading…
There are at least seven Trophy Peaks and the eastern ones are not easily accessible from the Trophy Mountain Trail. Fortunately, there is a good trail to the easternmost ridges and peaks and 3 can be reached by going up this well-defined trail. The route is used by Wells Gray Adventures to access the Trophy Hut (link) . Start on … Continue reading…
Backpackers to Assiniboine often come to the core via Assiniboine Pass, then exit through Wonder Pass, creating a partial loop route, but Wonder Pass is a prime day hike too. From Assiniboine Lodge, the main trail runs east past the Naiset Huts and then starts a gradual ascent to Wonder Pass. The lower half of the route at first runs … Continue reading…
After many years we returned to Assiniboine Provincial Park for some hiking and exploration. On our previous trip, we started at Bryant Creek and stopped at Magog Lake, then proceeded down past Og Lake to the Simpson River and over Citadel Pass to Sunshine, a distance of 48 km – Assiniboine trails (pdf) The biggest decision to make is how … Continue reading…
When the weather bakes up, we try to get on the water (or hike to altitude). Our rivers and lakes become destinations and we are situated right in the middle of dozens of paddling routes. Kayaking in a longer boat (faster/steadier) means finding larger lakes. Our goal is to have enough lakes and rivers in the area to not have … Continue reading…
Silvertip Falls has more of a vertical fall than Helmcken Falls, but it cascades, rather than falls straight down. It comes down from the Trophy Mountains, draining the snow bowls between Trophy 1 and 2 and Cwem Cwem Lake. Silvertip Creek falls drop 200m down to a gully on the south side of the Trophy Range. To get to Silvertip … Continue reading…
Johnson Lake sits high in the hills above Adams Lake. The best road up to the 3800 foot lake is from the Agate Bay Road. The road is wide and well-graded. The other route is from Adams Lake, either from Brennan Creek or from the 28.5km mark. I followed the latter route which climbed through a series of switchbacks with … Continue reading…
The Kamloops area has many lakes and rivers to paddle but some are much better for the self-propelled enthusiast. We try to get to them all, from tiny fishing lakes to the giant resort lakes. The best lakes have few (or no) high-speed motor boats, are big enough for a full workout, have good launch spots, and interesting … Continue reading…
The Cirque of Tarns route is a challenging route up to a hidden spot on the north side of Raft Mountain. The final destination is perfect. We wanted to set up our tent right then and there, and camp at the side of the high tarn across from the glacier, beneath the summit of Raft Mountain. But the way up … Continue reading…
After a number of years visiting Painted Bluffs Provincial Park, we now only visit by boat. The land route is not easy, nor pleasing. After a long drive to Copper Creek, there is no suitable access because of private property, fencelines, and the railway. On the other hand, a boat can launch from Savona (or Tobiano) and go … Continue reading…
Painted Bluffs Provincial Park is a very special place, one that we try to visit every year. Our favorite route is to kayak across the lake from Savona. Other routes can be taken too (see this post link). Every time we visit, the light is different and we hike to different perspectives (post link). A follow-up article will detail the … Continue reading…