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 Mahood Lake area is a great place to camp and explore. The Deception Falls Trail is a short drive on a narrow, rough road. From the Provincial Parks Campground, follow the road north until it crosses the Canim River. This is the end of the maintained road and the rest of the route is manageable by all … Continue reading…
Each year, we paddle the 36 km route down the North Thompson River from the McLure Ferry to Westsyde Road. It is different experience each time, depending on the volume of water in the river. Before the spring melt, the river has extensive sand and gravel bars and the water moves more slowly. During freshet, the river is wide and … Continue reading…
We returned to hike the Skoatl Point Trail in September this year. We have hiked this fine trail every year and there are several articles already on the site (type Skoatl into the Search Bar) for further information. We drove up the Jamieson Creek FSR, then onto the Windy Lake Road. The trailhead is a bit hard to find … Continue reading…
The Eagle River runs west from Eagle Pass in the Monashees down to Sicamous and into Shuswap Lake. There is really not enough water in the upper end of the river to paddle, but when the Perry River joins the river, there is enough water to paddle from Craigellachie or Malakwa. On the upper river there are fallen trees, … Continue reading…
The trail to Sylvia and Goodwin Falls starts at the end of the Clearwater River Road. Take the left turn into Clearwater and follow the road over the river bridge heading west onto Camp 2 Road. Turn onto the unsigned gravel road which angles sharply to the right. This is the Clearwater River Road and it runs for 38 km … Continue reading…
Janice Lake (sometimes called Long Island Lake) lies next to Highway 24 (Interlakes) at the McDonald Summit. The turn-off to the Recreation Site on the shoreline is 22.5km from Little Fort. The access road is a bit rough and leads to a cleared area with 3 campsites and a steeper final slope down to the lakeshore. I … Continue reading…
One of our favorite lakes to paddle is East Frogmoore Lake. It is not easy to get into the lake which makes it seldom-visited and it feels remote. Directions into the lake were detailed in a previous post – East Frogmoore. This time we launched in the third lake, paddled across the lake, landed at the east end, portaged our … Continue reading…
This long (46-49km) bike ride is a very nice one, but pre-scouting of the area and permission to cross a private ranch is required. Nevertheless, parts of it can be biked on backroads, exploring routes in the upper valleys of the area. Trip log: We left a vehicle near Spences Creek, the end point, then drove north to the Hat … Continue reading…
Azure Lake has been the subject of several stories on this website (links below), but we continue to return to paddle the lake and explore the northern areas of Wells Gray Park. To get to Azure Lake, we would have to paddle the length of Clearwater Lake (24km), then go up the Clearwater River and portage to Indian Point. Or, … Continue reading…
Mt. Huntley stands above three lakes – Clearwater Lake, Hobson Lake, and Azure Lake. The trailhead is on Azure Lake at Four and a Half Mile Campground. The trail is actually the Huntley Col Trail, established by Hugh Neave and friends and documented in Roland Neave’s book, Exploring Wells Gray Park. The only access to the trailhead is by water. … Continue reading…
From the top of Mount Revelstoke the Jade Lakes Trail winds through sub-alpine forests, meadows and rock slopes to a junction. To the right is a short trail to Miller Lake, up the hill is the steep route to Jade Pass, but the route to the left goes over to Eva Lake. The hike to Eva Lake is moderate, 7.1km … Continue reading…
Badger Lake is one of our favorite lakes to paddle. To launch your boat in Badger Lake, take the road to Sun Peaks, then turn onto the Knouff Lake Road. Continue past Sullivan/Knouff Lake and don't turn off on any of the side roads. An intersection is reached, but continue straight through and around the lake. The road leads to … Continue reading…
The Bush Lake – Timber Lake trails were designed and built for the 1979 (first) BC Winter Games in Kamloops. They became our "home trails" for cross-country skiing. Then the Coquihalla Highway was buillt and it cut right through the middle of the trail system so the Stake Lake Trails were built as a replacement system for cross-country skiing. Sections … Continue reading…
Joss Mountain is a fine hike in the Monashees. It features alpine meadows, open ridges, and impressive scenery. Driving Directions (for the west approach): Drive east toward Revelstoke, but at Three Valley Gap (lake), turn right onto the Wap Forest Service Road. Follow the good gravel road for 6.0km and turn onto the Wap Spur Road #5 Follow this backroad … Continue reading…
On a windy day, Kamloops Lake is not the best choice for paddlers, but on a nice day, a tour of the east end of the lake is a rewarding outing. Launch from the parking area at the end of Tranquille Road. The road to Tranquiile on the Lake goes past the entrance and continues on to the … Continue reading…
Drive up to the top of Mount Revelstoke on the Meadows in the Sky Parkway, then take the trail over the hill above, and then choose the Jades Lakes Trail. Follow the trail as it winds through meadows, forest, slide zones, and wet areas. At the trail junction, go steeply up to Jade Pass and have lunch. This will be … Continue reading…
