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.
When Glacier House was opened in Rogers Pass, tourists could take the trail and stay in the hotel. Swiss guides took visitors out to climb the peaks and visitors could walk to the toe of the Great Glacier in 45 minutes. Historical photos and glacialogical research shows the extent of the Glacier and its retreat over the last 115 years. … Continue reading…
The Perley Rock Trail starts at the Campground then follows the east side of the Illecillewaet River at the stone trestle. The first section is shared with the Sir Donald Trail as the route climbs up through the forest into the Sir Donald – Perley Rock Cirque. One section goes through an old slide area and the creek draining … Continue reading…
Arrow-leafed balsam root is balsamorhiza sagittata. In spring, the extensive south-facing slopes of this hill are covered in this member of the sunflower family. The hill has no name on maps, so we call it Sagittata Hill. We have hiked, bike, run, skied, and snowshoed on the slopes of the hill many times. We hiked over the top and down … Continue reading…
When the winter snows accumulate, we like to go to the upper end of the grasslands to snowshoe in the area to the south of McQueen Lake. There are some old tracks to follow, but with the layers of snow, these are only a rough guide. We make our own tracks. We park at the kiosk this side of McQueen … Continue reading…
The trail up to the col between Mount Uto and Sir Donald is very steep, but the views are spectacular. Sir Donald stands high above Rogers Pass, a pyramid of quartzite 3297m high. It is a classic climb and indeed there is a small campsite at the last bit of meadow below the col, used by climbers as a high … Continue reading…
We have hiked, run, biked, cross country skied, and snowshoed this route over many years. A description of the route was provided in a summer hike post (link), but this time we snowshoed the route in mid-January. The route starts at the end of Lac le Jeune Drive. Park on the street and go through the gate at the end … Continue reading…
Verdant Pass is a lesser-know hike in Jasper, but it is a pleasing day hike to a remote spot. The trail starts on the Edith Cavell Road, at the Astoria River Trailhead (to Tonquin Valley). Follow this trail on a gradual descent above the river for 4km. As the route approaches the junction of Verdant Creek and the Astoria River, … Continue reading…
The Upper Timber Lake area is one of our favorite areas to snowshoe. In winter, there is rarely anyone around, but the backroads are fine for stomping. We have described the route in to the trailhead before (link to a previous article). The Timber Lake FSR is in good shape right now, but there are times when 4WD may be … Continue reading…
We have been up to the base of Edith Cavell several times since it is the start of a few hikes – Astoria River Trail to Tonquin Valley, Verdant Pass (behind Edith Cavell), and Edith Cavell Meadows. The area can be very busy in summer and the parking area is often full. Many tourists walk to Cavell Lake to photograph … Continue reading…
One of our favorite hikes is Embleton Mountain. The trails are well-marked, there are nice views on the west side, and the system has many route options. Over the last few years, we have added a winter trek to the top on snowshoes. This is a more demanding route in the snow, but it is a lot easier when someone … Continue reading…
On our first trip to Zion National Park, we were thrilled with the Observation Point Trail. It was one of our favorites (previous article). Since then we have hiked it twice more and we will continue to go up the trail for as long as we can (the next time will be October, 2014). There are many options and much … Continue reading…
Although it is possible to snowshoe in any higher elevation area in perfect conditions, the reality is that we need good road access, a place to park, a route that can be followed without getting lost, and a stomped in or packed route, if possible. Finding a scenic location is a bonus, but there are not many routes available that … Continue reading…
Rising above the Coquihalla stands Mount Thynne. There is a road to the top and when the snows have left 4×4’s and quads climb to the summit, but in later spring, we can drive up the road, park and hike to the top while snows still cover the upper road. The rewards are open slopes, alpine meadows, the first wildflowers … Continue reading…
The Virgin River comes off the heights of the Colorado Plateau through a deep canyon. Visitors to Zion National Park can go to the end of the road and then walk along the river path to the end of the trail. From that point on, all progress is in the river on a route called The Zion Narrows. Every day, … Continue reading…
One of the best places to snowshoe in our area are several routes off the Chuwhels Mountain Road. Drive on the Lac le Jeune Road and just before Stake Lake, turn right onto the Chuwhels Road and go under the Coquihalla. The road is kept plowed and sanded all winter. Follow this road to the end where you will find … Continue reading…
In Zion National Park, many of the best routes are not trails. They follow canyons or are traverses across the upper slickrock slopes. The Many Pools route has a few cairns and some footprints in sandy washes, but it is an intuitive route – just follow the potholes and pour-offs. In this dry desert country, rain is infrequent, but when … Continue reading…
