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.
In early spring the south-facing lower slopes of the river and lake valleys dry out first and a good choice for a 9.3 km return hike is to follow a trail from the Savona Cemetery along the slopes of Kamloops Lake toward Sabiston Creek. The trail continues past the beach area there by the tracks, but it climbs steeply up … Continue reading…
In late winter the south-facing slopes dry off first so we head up into the hills, enjoying dry conditions when the route is ready. We hike up Tranquille Ridge from the bottom to the top of the hill sometimes called The Pimple, though we prefer just to refer to it as the Tranquille Ridge Summit. The route follows some double … Continue reading…
We can hike over to Rabbit Island in late winter and early spring by fording a channel on the north side of the island. We hiked over from the southeast corner of McArthur Island, then walked upstream to the narrowest point for the channel crossing. The water is cold and and there is a current, so we need to take … Continue reading…
On a hazy grey morning we drove the potholed road down to Cooney Bay. We hike along the river, then around the bay on Kamloops Lake. Tranquille River drains into the bay. We crossed on a small ice bridge, but soon we will have to use logs to cross over. At the end of the bay we hiked over the … Continue reading…
In spring the snow and ice clears off the wide beaches between the Airport and the floodlands areas toward Cooney Bay so we can hike on the Rivers Trail along the dike and pick the junctions that parallel the beach. By staying left, but not going onto the beach, we can follow trails through the cottonwoods and flood channels, bearing … Continue reading…
When I was in elementary school one of my teachers used the saying “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb” to teach the seasons. On a cool, windy early March day I hiked on the sidehill benchlands, keeping a brisk pace because of the conditions. I did spot some early wildflowers like this … Continue reading…
As the snows started to melt in the river valleys, we headed out to the Tournament Capital Ranch to hike/walk the paths along the river. The tracks were icy, snowy, or muddy, but we used microspikes and picked the best route along the river, and on various tracks that allowed a loop route. The fog lifted and we had periods … Continue reading…
A hike on Dewdrop Ridge, all off-trail. Images of snags and trees in a photo essay: … … … … … … … … … … … There are several articles on the website about hiking Dewdrop Ridge for anyone else who wants to enjoy wind-shaped trees and snags.
Continue reading...On a late winter windy day I put on my microspikes and hiked up to Jacko Lake from the Lac le Jeune Road. The access road is being used by the Trans Mountain Pipeline workers for the first short section, but the road to the boat launch was not plowed. Vehicles have been driving in there on the snow and … Continue reading…
On a mild late winter day I snowshoed into the Butterfly Marshes, an areas seldom explored at the far south end of the Bush Lake system. There is an access road near Stake Lake, but there is no parking there until late in winter. I ventured along the access track, then onto the marshes. My plan was to visit an … Continue reading…
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Continue reading...In late winter the valley bottom beaches clear of snow and ice and we can hike/walk on sand, gravel, and some icy sections on the beaches. There are several good locations on the South Thompson, the North Thompson, and the Thompson Rivers. The north end of SChubert Drive has a loop route that includes a walk along the river and … Continue reading…
On a cold wintry day I chose to hike in Peterson Creek. The trails were icy, but manageable with microspikes. I hiked along the rim, then down into the creek above the falls, working my way along the creek, then back up. Some of the route required scrambling, but the microspikes and a measure of caution kept me out of … Continue reading…
On a mild late-February day, we decided to stomp the new snowshoe trails at Stake Lake. The Cow Creek, Spruce Canyon, and Rattler Lookout trails are top-notch routes to try. In years past, I had explored this area on foot, but the terrain and the windfall was difficult so I opted to stay on the trails. The new trails were … Continue reading…
On a cool winter day I snowshoed an eclectic route in the Hull Hill area, mostly following user tracks, combining known and new routes through the forest. There is room for about 6 vehicles to park on the access route to Hull Hill. From there, various routes go in different directions, but for thi day I wanted to explore … Continue reading…
In late winter we drove up the Timber Lake Road and parked at a junction on the southwest side of the communications tower hill. There are many miles of double tracks, single tracks, old ski trails, and routes connecting to the Outer Inks and Chuwhels Mountain Trails. Almost none of the routes are signed nor flagged and there are numerous … Continue reading…
