While we were in the Smithers area, we tried several of the hikes and we were very pleasantly surprised by the Malkow Lookout hike. The hike starts at the edge of pastures, winds through forests, then climbs a hill in the middle of the valley. There are wide view of the fields, hills, Bulklley River Valley, Babine Mountains, and Hudson … Continue reading…
While we were in Smithers we tackled Hudson Bay Mountain from two sides. Our first hike was up Glacier Gulch. Hudson Bay Glacier sits in a basin on the north side of the mountain. The meltwaters run down cliffs and form Twin Falls. To see Twin Falls and get to the trailhead of the hike, drive north on Highway 16 … Continue reading…
KamloopsTrails normally features outdoor explorations in the Kamloops area, but when we travel and find hikes, we include them into the site. Driftwood Creek is a spot we have returned to over the years. On the first trip back in the 1970’s, there were some references to a fossil bed on the way to the Babine Mountains so we had … Continue reading…
In the middle of the Lac du Bois Grasslands lies a long, narrow lake. Long Lake sits at the bottom of a trench between the Bachelor Range and the Upper Grasslands. The lake itself is 1.5 km long, but there is really a chain of ponds stretching over 3.5km. A double track runs along the east side and there are … Continue reading…
A year after our first trip to Bearcat Caves, we returned to expand our explorations of the caves and the area. The Kamloops Search and Rescue team had done an exercise in the caves area, marking a trail route in and the cave mouth openings. They had also explored some of the caves on a rope team and had found … Continue reading…
This hike has been in our sights for a number of years. All references to the hike stated to not attempt it in wet conditions so it was bypassed in marginal conditions. In our latest attempt, conditions were cold (-4) at the start and there was snow over most of the route, but the road in was fine, though we … Continue reading…
Orchard Lake Road climbs the hill from McLure on its way to Badger Lake. The road pass by three small lakes called the Struthers (Loon) Lakes. Not far past the largest of the lakes a road at 5.5 km turns south. This side road is the Coyote Lake Road and for most of the year it is suitable for most … Continue reading…
Watching Creek drains the hills to the northeast and runs into a canyon before meeting Tranquille River. Near the confluence of the creek and river two gorges converge and a point of land juts out between the two canyons. From this point it is also possible to cross Watching Creek and follow a trail down the east side of the … Continue reading…
Thanks to Russ Walton for his research and for his company as we did the field work on this exploration. "In 1877, G. M. Dawson surveyed the area around Kamloops for the Geological Survey of Canada. In his report he wrote that, “Battle Bluff derives its name from an Indian legend, and on a surface of smooth, glacier-polished rock on … Continue reading…
The high country on the Bonaparte Plateau is heavily forested with many lakes. The higher elevation means an early winter and late snows in the spring. Late spring hikes are possible, but expect a muddy road, late drifts, and wet feet. Even in summer the trail into Skoatl Point can be a wet hike. The mosquitoes of June-July follow, so … Continue reading…
We had time to do two separate outings – one on the cliffs and hills to the east, north, and west of Battle Bluff and another on the water around the foot of Battle Bluff. Click any photo to enlarge it.
Continue reading...A trail loop can be found in the south-facing hills to the west of Mount Mara. Drive just past the junction with Tranquille on the Lake. Cross the railroad tracks and look for the parking area and gate on the right. Cross the stile and climb onto the double track just above. Follow the signs as the route gives way … Continue reading…
Opax Mountain lies north of Wheeler Mountain, in the area between McQueen Lake and Tranquille Canyon. There are 3 routes to the top, but our favorite has long been a hiking route from Lac du Bois to the top of the mountain. Park at Lac du Bois and hike the old road past the gate around the north side. Follow … Continue reading…
The double track up from Tranquiulle is the old wagon road to the Wheeler Mountain homesteads (1906-1918). The route winds up the hills on a south-facing slope with no trees so it makes a good fall hike. The road can be driven with a 4WD, but it is a nice hike to the edge of the big gully at the … Continue reading…
Red Plateau was formed from a large lava flow. The towering cliffs form a line over the Dewdrop Range. On first glance it appears to be a solid wall, but when you explore the foot of the escarpment, it is easy to see ridges and gullies running north – south. The main hike up the cliffs approaches the first … Continue reading…
We have heard about the Petrified Forest in the hills above Barnhartvale for a long time, but we never had the exact location. Roland Neave referred to it in his book, Hiking the High Points. It is noted in various rockhounding journals. There was even a two-part newspaper article in December 2000 by author Peter Grauer. There is a Min-File … Continue reading…