The Thompson River flows from the confluence in Kamloops downstream for km into Kamloops Lake. The lake is 26 – 29 km (depending on where we define the lake starts) long and is to 1.2 to 3 km wide. The lake drains into the continuation of the Thompson River at Savona. Most of the lake is surrounded by rocky bluffs. … Continue reading…
The high area bounded by Tranquille River and the Dewdrop Range is called Red Plateau. Locals sometimes get mixed with the naming of these areas. The Red Lake Road (Tranquille – Criss Creek Road) climbs up through the hills on the west side of Tranquille River. Once up over the first set of bluffs, a benchland stretches west for 10 … Continue reading…
The Cariboo River starts under the western side of the crest of the 8000 foot glaciated Cariboo Mountains. On the other side of the Cariboo Range, McBride and the Fraser River lie 27 km to the east. The northern end of Wells Gray Park is 27 km to the southeast. There are many large icefields that drain down into the … Continue reading…
From the summit of the Trophy Mountains a number of remote mountain ranges are visible. To the northwest is Garnet Peak overlooking Azure Lake. It is the third highest peak in Wells Gray at 2876 m (9874 feet). It was first climbed by a team led by Hugh Neave in 1974. Access is from Huntley Col from Azure Lake. To … Continue reading…
The Bonaparte River starts high on the Silwhoiakun Plateau at an elevation of 4400 to 4800 feet, where numerous creeks and streams flow into the basin of Bonaparte Lake. Bonaparte Lake is 18 km long and about 2 km wide. The outlet is on the west end where the Bonaparte River begins its 140 km journey to the Thompson River. … Continue reading…
High Bar Road connects the Big Bar Ferry Road (in Big Bar Creek Valley) to the Edge Hills and the south end of the Jesmond Road. It is a narrow gravel road that runs along benches and sidehills overlooking the east side of the Fraser River. The road is 32 km long, running from the Big Bar Road to the … Continue reading…
The South Thompson River flows past the City of Kamloops on its way to join the ocean at the Coast and we know that the river’s waters come from Shuswap Lake (through Little River and Little Shuswap Lake), but the entire watershed area of Shuswap Lake covers 1,552,558 hectares (5993 square miles) of the province. Generally speaking the river is … Continue reading…
Recently I gave a presentation to the Kamloops Adult Learners Society. The topic of the 2 hour presentation was Wildflower Seasons in the Kamloops Area. The slideshow photos were all taken by me over a period of 2-3 years and I only included photos I was pleased with. I talked a little about each wildflower and answered questions as they … Continue reading…
Murtle Lake sits in a basin deep within Wells Gray Park. It is North American’s largest non-motorized lake and a destination for many paddlers. We launch out of the lagoon and spend a few days of paddling, camping, and enjoying the remote rugged scenery. The lake was created when a lava flow from the northwest dammed the Murtle River and … Continue reading…
The North Thompson River’s source is Thompson Glacier on the southern slopes of Trigon Mountain on the edge of the Premier’s Range and for 355 km it runs downstream to Kamloops where it merges with the South Thompson River to become the Thompson River. Along the way are a number of landmarks, the subject of this article. The Source Peaks … Continue reading…
Trigon Mountain is a remote peak in the Cariboo Range. It is rarely climbed and it is a big challenge to get to a place where we can spot it. It lies on the edge of the Premiers Range, glaciated peaks north of Wells Gray Park The taller peaks of the Premier Range include Mount Sir Wilfred Laurier (3516 … Continue reading…
