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.
Up to now, I have not attempted to bring the long kayak to paddle the smaller lakes, but with the addition of a stand-up paddleboard, smaller lakes like Lac du Bois, Pass Lake, and Isobel Lake are now on “the list” of lakes to be paddled. The best launch spot is at the southeast corner of the lake. Following … Continue reading…
This small provincial park is just off the bottom of the Big Hill on its climb up from Little Fort. There is parking on the east side of the creek below the bridge, though the track provided here is on the other side following the fibre optic line to the edge of the creek. When the creek is low in … Continue reading…
The Tranquille River Slot Canyons aren’t really slots. The definition of a slot is a canyon no greater than a full arms span wide. These are wider for sure, but they are the closest thing we have in the Kamloops area. There are two “slots” that can be accessed from one point, as detailed in previous articles. Traversing the … Continue reading…
This pleasant 8 km loop starts at the edge of McQueen Lake, then follows the Grasslands Community Trail, but instead of dropping into McQueen Creek, we turn south onto the open grassland slopes of Sagittata Hill, and we contour around the hill back to the upper grasslands. When school is in session and/or children are in the McQueen Lake Environmental … Continue reading…
On a morning day with winds predicted to pick up in the afternoon, I headed south to Stump Lake to paddle for a couple of hours, but the winds were already strong by 9:00 in the morning so I had a backup plan ready – to paddle Peterhope Lake instead. Just past the end of Stump Lake is the Peterhope … Continue reading…
A good plan for an overcast day is to wander in the woods. There won’t be any special views nor any summits to reach, but we can experience the forest, watching for small surprises along the way. On this last rain-probable day, I hiked in the Outer Inks Trails area, making my own trail for part of the way, following … Continue reading…
Kentucky – Alleyne Lakes Provincial Park is found south of Merritt, a few kilometres off Highway 5C. The lakes sit in a valley between rocky hills and ridges. There are a series of pothole lakes in the upper Quilchena Creek drainage in a line from Bluey Lake to Pothole Lake. The lakes are a turquoise color and are popular for … Continue reading…
After years of kayaking, I decided to give Stand Up Paddleboarding a shot. The previous attempt had been on Kauai, where I was thrown around by the surf. Without instruction or practice, I was launched a few times and ended the whole experience discouraged and unsure about SUP. One of the attractions for me is the simplicity of set-up. Hauling … Continue reading…
Camping at Juniper Beach Provincial Park has both good and not-so-good features. On the less-desirable side, two railroad lines flank the spot and trains run throughout the night. The site has a few trees but for the most part is open and the campsites are side-by-side facing the river. There is power and water for hard-sided units now, along with … Continue reading…
Pinaus Lake is found in the hills between Falkland-Westwold and Okanagan Lake. Just after passing Westwold, a Forest Service Road leads up into the hills. Follow the Pinaus FSR for 18 km, ignoring turns to Ingram Lake and Tuk (Tuktakamin Mountain). The Pinaus Lake Resort is at the start/west end of the lake. The narrow road continues to wind along … Continue reading…
We were intrigued by the land shapes and open spaces at the west end of Green Lake. We checked the land status of the area and found that it was mostly Crown Land so we went to explore the area. Crown lands with grazing licenses will have cattle in the area and it is our obligation to close gates, keep … Continue reading…
There has been a lot of discussion with both support and opposition to creating a National Park in the South Okanagan. The provincial government has asked for feedback and October 12 is the deadline: Protected Areas Framework for BC’s South Okanagan An overview map is provided: A website in support of the South Okanagan National Park states that there is … Continue reading…
Allan Lake is found at the northeast end of the Bonaparte Plateau. Bonaparte Lake is the largest of all lakes in the area but Mayson Lake and nearby Allan Lake are the next largest vehicle-access lakes. To get to Allan Lake, drive for 45km up the Jamieson Creek Forest Service Road, then turn east onto the Gorman FSR. At … Continue reading…
We returned to Joss Peak in 2015 on a hot, hazy day in the summer. It takes about 2.5 hours to get up to the trailhead of Joss from Kamloops. At Three Valley Gap, we turned south onto the Wap FSR and at the 6.0km mark, we turned up onto a high-clearance road in an active logging area. … Continue reading…
The premier hike of our area is into the Trophy Mountains in Wells Gray Provincial Park. It is a 2 hour drive from Kamloops to the trailhead. The trail is a good one with a large parking lot, signs, and a well-graded trail. We can hike up to the end of the trail in 2 hours and from there, we … Continue reading…
Each time I return to Painted Bluffs, I pick a different month and hike a different route, and every time I hike in the park, I am rewarded with a visual kaleidoscope of colors and shapes of the Bluffs badlands terrain. On this last trip I paddled across from Savona, landed on the beach, then hiked into the wash at … Continue reading…
