Most hikers go to Trophy Meadows and perhaps Plateau of the Lakes. More ambitious hikers go to the top of Trophy 2. But, how do we approach Trophy 1? The classic approach is to go over Trophy 2 and come down the precarious ridge between the peaks, climbing the west ridge to the summit. This alpinist route is quite doable, … Continue reading…
Coming out of the mountains at last light on a summer day provides unique light on the landscape. From Trophy Meadows, Raft Mountain is bathed in yellow-orange light: As the sun sets, streaks of fire light the west: As the dark closes in, a headlamp lights the track. The cool, quiet forest wraps around the evening's footfalls.
Continue reading...This trail connects the McQueen Lake area trails to the Isobel Lake trails. It was designed as a forestry interpretative trail and an information sheet is available at the McQueen Lake Center. The trail climbs along an old double track through the forest, through a fenced research enclosure, then down to the west end of Isobel Lake. By combining this … Continue reading…
Map: Location Coordinates Harper Creek FSR Junction N51 19.633 W119 53.260 Dunn Peak FSR N51 28.070 W119 50.967 Trailhead N51 29.375 W119 54.723 Dunn Meadows N51 26.723 W119 56.400
Continue reading...Dunn Peak is the highest mountain of our area and stands overlooking the North Thompson Valley, clearly visible from Kamloops on a clear day. It is not easy to get to and once at the base, is a long climb on loose rock. The hike in, though is pleasant day trip. Drive north top Barriere and take the Barriere Lake … Continue reading…
One of the premier hikes in our province is the hike from Murtle Lake to the top of Wavy Crest Ridge. It is a very remote spot that takes some planning and time, but the trail is good and is always rewarding. From Blue River, take the Murtle Lake Road (look for the Blue River Campround sign) and follow this … Continue reading…
One of the finest hikes in the Southern Cascades starts at treeline and continues through alpine meadows along ridges for 21 km. In Manning Provincial Park, drive up the road across from the Lodge to climb Blackwell Peak. Park at the end of the road at 2000m altitude and follow the Heather Trail. A loop route around the hilltop can … Continue reading…
Most of the focus of this site has been on Interior routes, trails, and waterways, but along our major transportation routes, there are opportunities for a walk or hike while traveling. A favorite stop while driving to Vancouver via the Lilloet-Pemberton road can be found just south of Pemberton. Either park at the Visitors Center or drive south towards Whistler … Continue reading…
Shuswap Trail Alliance has developed a new trail to a viewpoint high above Scotch Creek. The route in is well-marked. Watch for the rectangular signs at junctions. From Scotch Creek drive east, climbing the hill on the way to Celista. Watch for and turn onto Leopold Road on the upper side. Follow the road, staying right (small signs point … Continue reading…
Albas Provincial Park is located far out in the Seymour Arm of Shuswap Lake. Traveling along the North Shore, pass St. Ives to start the Seymour Arm Forest Service Road. At about 27.5 km, look for the turn down a steep narrow road to the lake. A provincial campsite with a lakefront beach sits on the west side of Celista … Continue reading…
The Lac du Bois area was used by ranchers back in the 1870s, but it was homesteaded starting in 1896 and quarter sections were claimed by homesteaders between 1910 and 1920. Between Wheeler Flats and Lac du Bois, about 150 people lived in the area and there were two schools built. With drought and harsh conditions, the homesteads were mostly … Continue reading…
At the end of the Wells Gray corridor, the road ends at Clearwater Lake. Progress beyond this point requires a boat. Two campgrounds along the shores of the Clearwater River bring hikers to the area and there are a number of hiking trails nearby. The main hiking trail is the Chain Meadows Trail, but there are also a number of … Continue reading…
One of our favorite hikes in the Cascades is Mount Frosty. The trailhead is at the east end of Lightning Lake. It switchbacks up through dense forest for about an hour. A few views of the lakes chain below can be seen. At 7km there is a wilderness campsite (Frosty Creek). The next half hour of hiking is through larch … Continue reading…
Although we rarely go to Manning Park to do the Lightning Lakes trails, we inevitably do this route almost every time. Manning Park is in a wet belt and alpine areas are often shrouded in clouds and rain is frequent. Snow lingers up high late into the summer and limits access. The Trail report from the Parks site dated June … Continue reading…
A video on the Dumont Homestead can be seen on You Tube (link). In the 1890's the Government of Canada realized that in order to populate the west, assert soverignty over the lands, and build a western economy, it needed settlers to come to Canada. With the Dominion Lands Act, land was divided into 160 acre sections and offered to … Continue reading…
Although the hike in to Chuwhels Lake is not a destination in itself, it is a good choice when combined with a short hike on the top of Greenstone Mountain. The drive to the top of Greenstone is 22km. Not too far from the top, watch for a signed turn-off towards Chuwhels Lake. Ignore the first road which is named … Continue reading…