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.
There are many trails in the Lac le Jeune area that lead through the upland forests, but few offer good viewpoints. A series of trails from Lac le Jeune Provincial Park through the cross country trails to a lookout makes a pleasing 12km loop. From the beach area at the park, follow the trail along the lake to the gate … Continue reading…
While basecamping out of Jedediah Island, we paddled out into the Sabine Channel and explored around most of 30 islands in the area. All of the islands are rocky with very few landing spots, but we found a couple that would be good for camping as long as we brought our own water. Tidal currents are minimal in this area. … Continue reading…
All of Jedediah Island is a provincial park and trails link up the various landing points. Although we landed in Home Bay we could have landed at any of the camping spots to hike across the island, We first enjoyed the hike over to the former home of the island's owners, then we followed the trail through the orchard, the … Continue reading…
For those who love to kayak, Jedediah Island is a destination for exploration. Most kayakers launch from the Sunshine Coast. Go north of Sechelt to Half Moon Bay for a good access to a short crossing to the Thormandby Islands. The crossing of Malaspina Strait from North Thormandby is 8km of open water and should only be attempted in calm … Continue reading…
Some of the finest alpine meadows in the country can be found on Tod Mountain. From the top of the chair, the hike over the "top of the world" takes about 45 minutes. From this point a route winds between the many "pump" hills of Tod Mountain. Three main routes can be taken, but the most direct is either to … Continue reading…
The Copper Island route has been featured in a past post (link). This time, we left Shuswap Lake Park in flood. All of the beaches were under water. Debris flanked the possible entry points. Mosquitoes were breeding in the standing water in low points. We launched nonetheless and to our delight, the ban on speed boats made the 2km crossing … Continue reading…
The Dewdrop Rim Trail on Red Plateau has long been my favorite trail of our area. But it is a long and demanding route, as noted in an earlier post (link). A much easier route is to drive up the Red Plateau Forest Service Road (on the Red Lake Road opposite the Pimple) and then follow double tracks to the … Continue reading…
The area immediately east of Tranquille floods each year and becomes the home to wildlife in channels and riparian zone on both sides of the river. The designated area is on the north side, but across the river 2km away is another larger area. The flood zone also extends up the shores of the river trail and west along to … Continue reading…
The nearest section of the Trans Canada Trail goes through Brookmere and beyond through the Coquihalla Lakes to Hope. The TCT is the old Kettle Valley Railway (KVR railbed). Linking into that rail system was the Merritt Subdivision which follows the Coldwater River Valley from Merritt to the junction station at Brodie. Since the railway grades were moderate, a loop … Continue reading…
We try to hike the Embleton trails in all 4 seasons and there are different rewards each month. Our most recent venture was in June, planned for a specific time to see the chocolate lilies in bloom at the top. While hiking these trails, I was reminded why this is one of our area's premier hike destinations: 1. The Viewpoints … Continue reading…
The steep mountain overlooking Barnhartvale is called Sunrise Mountain by locals. In older hiking books, it was also called Middle Mountain. On the topo maps, the cluster of hills is called Juniper Hills. There are several routes up to the top of these hills, but the most dramatic and satisfying is the north ridge of Sunrise Mountain. It is steep, … Continue reading…
When the Thompson River is in flood, the flat lands near Kamloops Lake become part of the river. The Wildlife Management area on the north side is part of Lac du Bois Provincial Park. A parking area there can be used to do a hand launch at the end of the fence, just short of Tranquille on the Lake. The … Continue reading…
There is a large area of trails on the east side of Rose Hill Road extending for a few kilometers east toward Juniper Ridge Road, but below the Juniper-Rose Hill Connector. The trails are used by mountain bikers, dog walkers, hikers, and area residents, but there has been no map of these trails, until now. The trails can be accessed … Continue reading…
A favorite route starts at Lac du Bois and follows a dirt/grass double track south under the flank of Wheeler Mountain. Go through the gate on the east side of the lake. This now belongs to the Nature Conservancy of Canada but hiking and walking activities are permitted. Continue south as it winds through the upper grasslands. The route passes … Continue reading…
On a kayaking trip on Adams Lake, we camped at Spillman Beaches, but the next day we took a long paddle up the lake to a green spot on the map, listed as Poplar Point Provincial Park. The route was 10km one way so we followed the treed east side shoreline. All along the way, we saw sandy/pebbly places to … Continue reading…
Kamloops Trails usually provides fairly specific directions to each trail, route, or site, but there have been a few exceptions. When an article on the Petrified Forest was published, no specific coordinates or directions were given. Fossil beds and game trails have not been included to preserve the sites and avoid motorized users from spoiling the spot or route. Spillman … Continue reading…