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.
We hiked up McConnell Hill in the Stake Lake Trail system, then we braved the Bushwhacker Trail loop, stopping for lunch at a viewpoint, then returned to the Sidewinder Trail to complete an 11.5 km loop. With such a wet spring we encountered a number of wet areas to get past and all the forest ponds were full, reflecting the … Continue reading…
In early July we returned to hike a loop route on Mt. Embleton. In a wet spring the road to the parking areas was eroded to the point where one section is now 4WD, but we went slowly and parked at the upper parking area near the Fence Trail. We worked our way over to the Pine Loop Trail and … Continue reading…
Mt. Thynne is a rounded, open mountain just 145 km from the Coquihalla Summit area. Because of its elevation (2256 m), location, and shape, snows clear off the access road and the summit ridge relatively early so we can do a summit hike in June. In 2020, the snows were slow to melt so we rescheduled our hike until the … Continue reading…
Neskonlith Lake is a 40 minute drive from Kamloops. Access to the lake is through Neskonlith Provincial Park. There is a hand launch spot not far past the first campsites. I launched my kayak on a mild June day and paddled clockwise around the lake. A circuit of the whole lake is 11.5 km and that goal is best done … Continue reading…
Every year I drive the backroads (38 km) up to Red Lake and paddle the 8.5 km shoreline. Since its a popular fishing lake, I try to go early on a weekday. When I arrived at the boat launch there were only 3 other boats on the lake, a quiet paddle in the high country. There are 3 launch spots … Continue reading…
The Lundbom Commonage Reserve area is one of our favorite places to hike in the spring. The grasslands hills are some of the finest in the province and the multi-use trails are pleasant to hike, although some navigation is almost always required. One of the easiest-to-follow trails is the double track from Lundbom Lake to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. … Continue reading…
In June we traveled to Wells Gray Park to hike one of the lesser-known trails in the Hemp Creek Canyonlands. The trailhead for the Birch Bluffs Rim is the Moul Falls Trail parking area. We followed the main trail for 1.6 km, then turned onto a side trail which crosses Grouse Creek on a bridge. Grouse (Moul) Creek was rushing … Continue reading…
On an overcast day, I launched my kayak at the Tranquille Wildlife Management Area parking pullout and paddled out into Tranquille Bay. With no wind the skies were reflected in the calm floodwaters. There are many route choices possible during freshet, but on this day I kayaked down to Cooney Bay and back. At the mouth of Tranquille River, eagles … Continue reading…
There is a commonage (publicly owned lands) at the height of the road that climbs from Quilchena to the Minnie Lake area (Pennask Lake Road). The area is over 4000 feet and there are a number of fences for seasonal grazing licenses, but hikers can access the area at the right time, respecting grazing cattle, closing gates, and leaving nothing … Continue reading…
I led a small group on a complicated route above Pruden Pass. We parked at the end of the Pruden Pass Road and went up the northeast flank of Mara Mountain, working our way to the southwest summit where we had our first break. We followed an old double track down the northwest side of Mara to Massey Lake, then … Continue reading…
Jacko Lake is a very popular fishing lake and since it is one of the first to be ice-free, it will be a busy place in spring before the other lakes open up. On weekends and in prime times it stays busy right up to summer. When I paddle the lake I go early in the morning and paddle around … Continue reading…
We explored the hills above McQueen Lake and Pass Lake on a grey and stormy day. Using high clearance vehicles we climbed on the Dairy Creek Branch Roads to a spot at 1223m and parked. We followed skid tracks, motorcycle trails and also did some bushwhacking. We found an easier route on the way out. The douglas fir forest had … Continue reading…
When Red Plateau dries out (in May) and before the heat of late spring we climb from the Dewdrop Range up the Red Plateau Escarpment to the rim. The best trail is the Dewdrop Trail which winds up a gully, then a ridge, climbing 611 m of elevation (2000+ feet) in 3 km. An alternate route with no established trail … Continue reading…
When freshet arrives the low-lying floodlands fill with water and we can paddle out from the Tranquille Wildlife Preserve into Tranquille Bay. An early start often means no wind. At about 11:00 am the winds start and will be stronger yet by noon. “Islands” of shrubs stand in the floodwaters. The Thompson River and Kamloops Lake become one larger lake … Continue reading…
We hike through the Frederick Bluffs twice every year. There are no trails and the whole area is rugged, but there is interesting terrain to explore and wonderful viewpoints along the way. We drive out the Frederick Road and we turn onto the lower road. We park to the left side of the road before the road starts to drop … Continue reading…
