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.
A wonderful collection of trails and routes starts at Valleyview Arena. Cross the road across from the parking lot and follow the double track up the gully (to the east). At the end of the gully you have 3 route choices. All routes go up onto the bench then either skirt gullies or go through them onto the next bench. … Continue reading…
Hike Summary: Location – Dew Drop Range Road (Frederick Road) down to Battle Bluff Elevation – Start at 610 m; descend to 550m and climb up he bluff to 671m Distance – 2.2 km each way Time – 1.5 – 2 hours depending on fitness and conditions Type – climb through a pass and descend to the plateau and then … Continue reading…
Elephant Hills may be the driest grasslands park in the province. The hills are south-facing and treeless. The hike up is steep and will be not your best choice on a hot day. But it is a uniquely placed between the Trans-Canada Highway and the Cornwall Hills to the west and the eroded valleys of the Bonaparte and Thompson Rivers … Continue reading…
Kane Valley is about 20 minutes south of Merritt. A bit of a longer drive, but it a good destination for a longer hike on well-marked, pleasant rolling trails. Designed for cross country skiing, the trail system is also great for hiking, biking, and snowshoeing. Each time I have been out on these trails, I have seen wildlife (and sometimes … Continue reading…
When you live in the Kamloops area, you have to paddle on the rivers or the lakes. Both rivers are great but loop routes are not as easy when you have to paddle upstream. Lakes offer an out and back choice and a good launch site and lots to see are what we want when choosing a paddling spot. One … Continue reading…
Drive onto the Dewdrop Range Road (Frederick Rd.) for a short distance and park at the posted coordinates. Start your hike up the trail. There is a geocache not far off the trail called Dewey. Continue up the trail. After about 2km, take the spur trail out to the cache called Dewdrop Ecological Reserve. Continue to climb the Dewdrop Trail … Continue reading…
The Rose-Swanson Trails above Armstrong are one of my favorite trail systems to visit every year. This not really a mountain; it is a prominent ridge running north south from the highlands out into the North Okanagan Valley. Finding the trailhead is a little confusing, but from whatever direction you approach from, get onto the Salmon River Road, turn onto … Continue reading…
A favorite summer-time trail is the route around Lac Le Jeune. Usually we start at the campground and follow the lakefront trail until it exits the campground at the east end gate. Following the road, we then turn onto the Forest Service Road and follow it until a signed cross country trail crosses at which point we turn off onto … Continue reading…
The McQueen Lake Environmental Center has some well-established trails that invite hikers in every season. It is important, though, to be sensitive to avoiding the trails near the Overnight Center during weekdays when school groups are using the facilities. The best access route is at the gate to the Day Center in the southwest corner of the property, but an … Continue reading…
Wheeler is the middle mountain in the 3 that run north south from the Thompson River towards the plateau to the north. Mara Mountain is divided from Wheeler in Pruden Pass. Wheeler is divided from Opax Mountain by Hanging Valley. Such a large area so close to Kamloops should see lots of activity, but access routes to all 3 are … 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…
Hike Summary Location – McConnell Lake is on the Lac le Jeune Road Elevation – 4200 ft. Distance – 3 km Time – about 1 hour Type – a gentle circuit around the lake Season – 3 seasons A shaded route around the lake in the hot sun and a place to swim afterward. Eagles, ospreys, loons, and ducks frequent … Continue reading…
At the head of the Salmon Arm of Shuswap Lake, Bastion Mountain’s cliffs loom over the lake. From the top of the bluffs there is an unimpeded view of Sunnybrae, Skimikin, Shuswap Lake, Mount Ida, the Fly Hills, and the Salmon River Valley. To get up to the top of Bastion Mountain, take the Bastion Mountain FSR at the … Continue reading…
The Upper Canyon Trail in Herald Park.
Continue reading...One of the easiest put-in points is at the Pioneer Park boat launch. There is lots of parking, a good launch site, and easy access into the river but there is one drawback. In the warm weather it is a crowded and noisy spot – not a great launch site with power boats, jetskis, and way too many vehicles. Except … Continue reading…
Embleton Mountain Hikes One of my favorite trails systems can be found near Heffley Lake. Drive past Heffley Lake and look for the trailhead sign on the north side. There is a new parking area a short ways up the road so turn off the road and proceed up to P1 or P2. Either parking area is fine, but I … Continue reading…
