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.
Community Lake is known as an excellent fishing lake in the high country. A 10-site BC Forest Service Recreation site on the southwest corner gives good boat launch access. For the paddler, this is a pleasant spot. There are many small islands and some bays to explore. By following the shoreline and touring around islands, about 2.5 km of paddling … Continue reading…
We took another route into the Trophies and stayed at the Trophy Mountain Chalet. We then explored the ridges and lakes of the east side. It was a hot day so we swam in two of the shallow lakes. We glissaded down snow slopes. We contoured around and between the ridges to high spots. There are also routes to the … Continue reading…
From Trophy meadows another route (not a trail) is to contour around a gully and then up and over to Cwem Cwem Lake. This alpine tarn is the largest in the Trophies, but is completely invisible from the meadows or Plateau of the Lakes. It has some interesting islands and is a great photo spot. From the far shore, hikers … Continue reading…
If the time is available to go beyond Plateau of the Lakes, then a climb to Long Hill and/or Trophy 2 is recommended, especially for the added views and just getting to the top of the mountain. To go up Long Hill (west of the plateau), go beyond the last lake underneath Trophy 2, and aim to the high col … Continue reading…
This is one of the premier hikes in our area and should be on everyone’s schedule for next year. We have been to the meadows to hike, to camp, to ski, and to explore and we try to find different times of the year to go and different areas to explore. The main trail takes you to the (flower) meadows … Continue reading…
A long-time personal tradition has been to pick up any found trash along the trail and bring it back to a garbage can or recycling bin. On the way to Battle Bluff after work on a hot afternoon, I spotted a folded piece of paper to retrieve for the recycle bin. I picked it up and glanced at it. It … Continue reading…
Greg Gordon contributed this article: Although the system of trails at Paul Lake is not extensive, they do make for some great all-weather hiking close to town. There is free parking at the west end of the trail near the condos on the Harper Mountain road and we generally start our hike there. The trail follows the lake for a … Continue reading…
Start at Lac du Bois. Travel south along the double track. Go past an upland lake. A junction to the right climbs up the flank of Wheeler Mountain. Straight ahead takes you south under the forested slopes of Wheeler Mountain. There are a few fencelines, but cattle guards allow free access for the hiker or mountain biker. The fences are … Continue reading…
This route through the Lac Du Bois Grasslands is a favorite route in the spring when all of the migrating ducks and waterfowl nest in the upland lakes of the area. To get to this loop, drive north on the Lac du Bois Road. Just past the 7km mark, park off the right side of the road. The start of … Continue reading…
This is one of the classic hikes in the Canadian Rockies. It starts at Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. This is a busy spot, but the hike soon climbs up the hill away from the crowds. After about a half hour of climbing, a junction is reached. The left fork goes off to Eiffel Lake and … Continue reading…
This is a hike that won’t have many takers, but its a nice area, especially if you are looking for a new hike. Bestwick Hill is the spreading summit which the Campbell Range Road and the Robbins Range Road goes around. The simplest access routes are on the west and south sides, but they all involve climbing over a fenceline … Continue reading…
One of the most rewarding hikes in our area is Mount Buse. It is not a long hike, but the views are great and the route is all double track. Go out Barnhartvale Road and turn up onto the Campbell/Robbins Range Road. A short ways up the hill, turn left (south) onto the Robbins Range Road. Follow the road until … Continue reading…
Although I do recommend Sugarloaf Hill south of Merritt, I do not recommend Sugarloaf Hill in Kamloops (near the start of the Coquihalla). First of all, all approaches are through private land. Second, the route to the top is up and down gullies, with no fixed trail. Last, the view from the top is not special. … Continue reading…
Ten days of hiking and biking in the Banff/Yoho area will result in some new posts. Although the site is called KamloopsTrails, this is just the epicenter for explorations in every direction. Most of the posts will be in our area, but a number will be further afield. Coming up will be posts for Sentinel Pass, Dolomite Pass, Citadel Pass, … Continue reading…
Tunkwa is a mecca for fishermen, quads, motorcycles, and for camping, but is not known for hiking, biking, or paddling. The hike around either (or both lakes) is very pleasant. Starting at the trailhead between the lakes (at the end of the campground) trails can be followed, although the meadows can be buggy in the early summer. In the summer, … Continue reading…
The shoulder seasons are not the best time to hike the XC Trail networks, but the summer is great for hiking and biking. An extensive trails system that is very well-maintained, clearly signed, and offers varied terrain is the Larch Hills system to the east of Salmon Arm. In winter, there are excellent cross country ski trails and a small … Continue reading…