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.
The Duck Range Road runs from Prithcard to Highway 97. It is paved at the east end, but is dirt/gravel at the west end. It is suitable for both road bikes and mountain bikes and is a scenic tour. The Lower Duck Range Road is all dirt and is in good shape at the east end, but after passing a … Continue reading…
In our semi-desert grasslands and above in the montane zone, a succession of wildflowers comes each spring. First to come out were the sage buttercups in March. After another two weeks, yellow bells emerged. They are reddish at first, then turn orange, and when they open, they are a beautiful yellow color. In the next two weeks, a grassland perennial … Continue reading…
The benchlands surrounding the Kamloops area have many small lakes and ponds, many of which are alkaline. These ponds can be described as salt ponds or alkaline ponds or even alkaline soda ponds. When the salt content creates a PH value of over 10, the water takes on a sulphurous smell. They are hostile to most fish and plant life, … Continue reading…
The route up to the top of Mount Mara from the south is very interesting, but the top section is very steep. The route from the west is more gradual, but is the longest route. The route from the northeast has the highest start point and is the easiest and quickest route. Drive north on the Lac du Bois Road, … Continue reading…
There is a very large area of green space between the Trans Canada Highway and Kamloops Lake, bounded on the west by Cherry Bluffs and on the east by Afton and Weyerhauser properties. Without crossing fencelines, there is really only good access route. Drive west on the TCH and before the Greenstone turn-off, watch for Abbey Road. Turn onto this … Continue reading…
In 1899, a claim was staked on Batchelor Hill by two brothers from Paris, France, but by 1901 the claim was owned by Owen Batchelor. He worked the hilltop for many years. Vertical and horizontal shafts were dug and gold was mined out of the quartz vein between 1905 and 1916. The site was worked again in the 1950’s and … Continue reading…
This is a lovely trail system. We hiked the outer loops, logging 12km. Recommended:
Continue reading...When the Stone Giants met at Mount Mara, they left behind many sculptures: Shapes and layers vary depending on where you go: There are many scuptures to be seen without climbing, but as you climb over the ridges, more surprises await: On the ridge and looking down into the gullies sit gnomes: Hoodoos and pillars dot the hillsides. This one … Continue reading…
Following the route described in Mara Scrambles (Mar. 31), the route continues upwards and is much easier, but still very rewarding. From the top of the front hill, it is an easy descent into Juniper Valley and a bit of a rocky climb up to the next hill. Stay left near the top of teh second hill. Beyond this hill, … Continue reading…
One of the most interesting hikes/scrambles of our area is to go up the front hill on Mount Mara, above the cliffs. The route is easy at the bottom, a scramble in the middle, and an easy ascent at the end. Along the way, there are hoodoos, sculpted rocks, colored layers, jagged spires and ridges, and much better views than … Continue reading…
While out following game trails and ridge routes on Mount Mara, a herd of rams followed my progress and kept an eye on me:
Continue reading...We usually hear bird calls and songs before we spot the birds. Knowing the song/call helps us to identify the birds. Here are some more: Pileated Woodpecker – click to hear the song: (Pileated Woodpecker) Northern Harrier – click to hear the song (Northern Harrier) … Continue reading…
The route to the top ridge of Rockface Mountain is relatively easy, depending on where you start your hike. If you can drive the back roads, you can get quite close to the trailhead. If your vehicle has low clearance, you may have to add up to 2 kilometers to the route. Rockface Cave is along the route and is … Continue reading…
Kamloops is very lucky to have such a large tract of hikable/bikable grassland so close to town. A large expanse of open terrain is found beyond Deep Lake. The Deep Lake hike is started at the end of Ida Lane in Westsyde. It is a reasonably short uphill hike to the south end of the lake. From that spot, many … Continue reading…
The prominent hill overlooking the Coquihalla Highway as you leave town is Sugarloaf. Most of the approaches to Sugaloaf involve crossing private land or fencelines, so this post covers the best route to avoid these problems. There is one section on the north side that is unfenced and unsigned, but there is no guarantee the route is on public lands. … Continue reading…
Since we are in the grasslands and off trail so much, we have picked up many ticks over the years. We don't worry too much about having them on our clothes, but we take a number of precautions after our hikes. We do a visual inspection before climbing into the vehicle. Any probable tick "hideout" (jackets, backpacks, hats) gets isolated … Continue reading…