After a light snowfall in early December, we hiked an old trail from McQueen Lake to Isobel Lake. The trail was used decades ago as a cross country ski, snowshoe, or hiking trail from McQueen Lake to Isobel Lake. Forestry staff installed interpretative signs along the route. It has since fallen into disuse, mainly because there is very little parking … Continue reading…
On a grey end-of-November day I hiked from the west end of Paul Lake along the lakeshore on the Gibraltar Rock Trail. The trail follows the shoreline of the lake for 2 km before it starts to wind up the hill. For the next kilometre, it climbs the hill through the douglas fir forest to the north side of Gibraltar … Continue reading…
A summer of heat and drought has dried out the landscape. Grasses and trees in open locations were stressed, but soon the winter’s snows will bring some moisture for the spring melt. We have been hiking in the hills after the grazing season, picking routes across the hills where there are no trails, going quietly, leaving nothing behind but temporary … Continue reading…
On a sunny mid-November day I hiked through the middle grasslands from a designated trailhead in Lac du Bois Grasslands Park. A single track trail winds through the open grasslands past lakes and glaciated features. On this day I did a counter-clockwise loop that went east across the grasslands hills. On this day I did a counter-clockwise loop that went … Continue reading…
On a mid-November day, I hiked over to Rabbit Island from McArthur Island. Access to the island requires wading through cold water. I used a dry suit and neoprene boots to keep dry. Once across, I changed over to regular hiking attire at the shoreline where there are some logs to sit on. I hiked around the island, stopping for … Continue reading…
In mid-November we planned a hike up to the top of Sugarloaf Hill, but the weather turned to snow over the last day. It was just a skiff on the way up, but by the end of the hike snow covered the ground. The pond on the way up was dry after a summer and fall of drought. A good … Continue reading…
On a sunny December day, the route up the Tower Trail in Kenna Cartwright Park was snowy, but stomped down for good hiking. From the east corner of the Tower Trail, there are wide views to the east. The Ridge Trail follows the top of Mt. Dufferin Ridge from the communications towers west to the end of the ridge. Views … Continue reading…
On a sunny fall day I hiked an eclectic route through the forested hills above Timber Lake. Good double tracks go from the Lac le Jeune Road under the Coquihalla Highway and into the hills. There are many double tracks and a network of motorcycle/ATV trails. The first section of the hike was to the top of the Tower Hill. … Continue reading…
A single track trail winds over rolling terrain for 6 km across the Dewdrop Range from the area near Battle Bluff west to the trails going up the Escarpment. The Bluebird Trail was so named because the Kamloops Outdoor Club installed a series of bluebird birdhouses along a faint track south of the Frederick Road. Mountain bikers and hikers … Continue reading…
Hiking on the north side of the Ironmask Trails from late spring through mid-fall can be done, but it is now a mountain biking area and the single tracks are steep. Bikes coming down may be a challenge for hikers. Avoid going the wrong way on these trails; the double tracks are better choices for hikers. Hiking in shoulder … Continue reading…
On a cloudy and mild November morning we hiked the trails at the end of Uplands Drive in Barnhartvale. Single track trails wind along the benchlands, gullies, and ridges and there are some loop routes through the grasslands and open forests. From the northeast corner of the trails we can look out over the Pineview golf course and the South … Continue reading…
On the day before our hike on Harper Mountain, there was rain, fog, and overcast skies. On the day of the hike, as we drove up, we went through a fog layer but broke through and parked in sunny conditions at one of the lower trailheads. The trail network on Harper Mountain is well-organized, with parking, signage and many trail … Continue reading…
At the start of November we hiked on the Stake Lake Trails. Our route was around the east side of the lake, past some iced-over bays. We hiked a series of double track cross country ski trails, working our way south to Rattler Viewpoint. The ski trails were all in good shape, providing good shoulder-season hiking. The old track from … Continue reading…
The south side of Mara Mountain has many gullies, ridges, canyons, hoodoos, rock outcrops, and shaped features, many of which are off-trail and out-of-sight. Each year I hike a cross country route to explore some of the interesting topographicl highlights. On a cool fall day I hiked across the sagebrush slopes to pass by the Sentinels, then up to The … Continue reading…
On a cold and windy day we hiked from Upper Aberdeen up to the top of Coal Hill. Wind chill was a factor in hiking at a steady pace and we did not linger on top of the hill. Our route to the top was about 3 km. There was a bit of snow, but for the most part it … Continue reading…
On a sunny fall day I drove on roads to the upper west end of Juniper Ridge to the trailhead at the top of Balsam Place (Qu’Appelle > Coldwater >Balsam). An old double track starts at the end of the road and winds its way up the hill through the forest. This is a route that has … Continue reading…
