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.
The lower trails in the valley and the upper slopes of Mount Morrisey at Sun Peaks are best hiked in late summer-fall. The nordic trails dry out by summer and the mosquitoes thin out by August. We hike various routes on Mount Morrisey in October when fall colors and drier conditions offer a good climb and some longer routes. Access … Continue reading…
Arches National Park has over 2000 arches within its boundaries. Many are on the maps and on designated trails, but many are unnamed and are found by accident when exploring the park. The listed trails in Arches are busy ones and there are usually many people clustered around each of the highlighted arches. For these trails, go early in the … Continue reading…
Paddling down the Shuswap River is a delight at any time, but it is a special experience during the peak of the salmon run. The sockeye spawn in the gravel shallows in the upper river. The river is full of red-colored sockeye and black-headed spring salmon, most moving upstream, but some in redds near the shore, some leaping out of … Continue reading…
The peaks in the Coquihalla Summit area offer a number of steep hikes starting off the highway. One of the most forgiving trails of the area is the Zoa Peak Trail. It has a steady (but not steep) climb starting at 1238m to the top of the peak at 1856m (2027 feet climb) over 4.3 km. The summit is a … Continue reading…
The Fiery Furnace is a labyrinth of slots, dead-ends, slickrock ramps, and surprises in Arches National Park. There is no designated trail, but there is at least one loop route through the fins, passing by arches, and other hidden spots. A permit is needed to enter the area and once started, visitors have to figure out their own route, often … Continue reading…
The Devil’s Garden Trail is the best hike in Arches National Park. It starts at the end of the road and heads north through the fins. Eight arches can be seen along the route. We chose to the Primitive Loop which swung out to the east side across sand dunes and over slickrock to Fin Creek Canyon. Some of the … Continue reading…
It would be rare to meet someone at Painted Bluffs. It is a remote and quiet spot on the north side of Kamloops Lake. For those who do visit the site, most stay on the lower slopes, but some of the upper gullies and ridges have some surprises for explorers. On this last paddle and hike, I was able to … Continue reading…
Tunkwa Lake is reached on the the Tunkwa Lake Forest Service Road from Logan Lake (15km) or from Savona (km). The lake lies entirely within Tunkwa Lake Provincial Park. Follow the paved road to the campground and look for the gravel launch on your left. The lake is a busy fishing lake so paddlers can choose a quieter time to … Continue reading…
Painted Bluffs Provincial Park offers unique views for our area and visit offers different perspectives, depending on the weather, the season, the light, and the line of sight. This last trip had blue skies and wispy clouds. The right angle was required to capture the colors and shapes of the hills.
Continue reading...Although we ski on the Nordic Trails in winter, we leave the trails for hiking or biking until late in summer. We find the entire area wet and buggy before mid-August. The main trails – McGillivray and Great Gray are drier, but many of the side trails are muddy, wet, and even swampy in places. It takes months for the … Continue reading…
From Tobiano we can launch our kayaks and canoes into Kamloops Lake and then paddle across the lake for 2.2km to Peregrine Bluffs. This rocky rib is called Perergine Bluffs because peregrine falcons nest on the cliffs. Look for the guano on the rocks for their nests. The north side of Kamloops Lake is rocky and there are no homes … Continue reading…
The First Canyon to Spahats Falls Trail drops from the Wells Gray Road down to the river, winds through the forest, then comes up beside Spahats Creek. The trailhead is in a parking area 260m south of the First Canyon bridge. A trail also goes north to Second and Third Canyon from this spot, but the this trail goes … Continue reading…
Mamit Lake borders the road that goes from Logan Lake to Merritt (Highway 97). From the juction west of Logan Lake, drive 11.5km south. There are 3 pullouts next to the lake and there is a boat launch at the second one. A good gravel beach is excellent for a hand launch. The paddle around the circumference of the lake … Continue reading…
From Lac le Jeune Provincial Park or from a short drive up the Ross Moore Lake Forest Service Road, a loops follows double tracks up to a scenic viewpoint. Follow the Stake Lake Trail system trails up Rustler to Ambush, then south on Lookout. After visiting the lookout, return a 0.9km back to a junction and take Ricochet down to … Continue reading…
Emar Lakes Park was created in 1996 as a wilderness area of small lakes, potholes, and wet areas in a forested area off Highway 24. The lakes are used by fishermen, but there is also a lake chain loop with portages for canoeists and kayakers. Access is from Janice Lake Recreation Site or from Willowgrouse Recreation Site. The trails/portages are … Continue reading…
Mahood Lake lies in the western edge of Wells Gray Park, but must be approached from the west, so from Kamloops we drive to Little Fort (95km), then west on Highway 24 (Interlakes) for 70km, then we turn north at Sheridan Corner onto the Horse Lake Road, then the Mahood Road (8000 Rd.) for about 40km to Canim Lake, and … Continue reading…
