With multiple access points and steep trails it is hard to get to know which trails are best to combine for a hike. Rather than do one post on this area, several recommended route options will be listed separately. This loop can be started from the Sahali area or from the main entrance near 6th Avenue. In this post, directions … Continue reading…
For the most part, Greenstone Mountain and the surrounding hills are used by off-road bikes, quads, and snowmobiles, but the area is accessible to hikers, mountain bikers, and snowshoers. It is a very large area with many backroads and trails and linking them up is not an easy matter. As you approach Greenstone Mountain, you climb through the grasslands … Continue reading…
This route makes a large loop around Mount Morrisey. It is an interesting drive taking in several lakes and some areas to hike, but it is best suited to backroads mountain biking. Start at Sun Peaks. Take the McGillivray Lake FSR which starts at the end of Sun Peaks Drive. Follow the gravel road to McGillivray Lake but keep going … Continue reading…
This trail is 13 km long and runs from the McQueen Lake area to Deep Lake. We recommend traveling west to east since there is a net drop in elevation. A two-car system or someone to drop you off makes this a point-to-point trail. The trailhead is actually at the east side of the McQueen Lake property (at N 50° … Continue reading…
This is a low-key hike, but a pleasant one nonetheless. If you are looking for additional distance, you can climb to the lookout or hike the Forestry Capital Trail (a separate post) over to McQueen Lake. To get to Isobel Lake, take the Lac Du Bois Road, then as you near the north end of McQueen Lake, take the fork … Continue reading…
Community Lake is known as an excellent fishing lake in the high country. A 10-site BC Forest Service Recreation site on the southwest corner gives good boat launch access. For the paddler, this is a pleasant spot. There are many small islands and some bays to explore. By following the shoreline and touring around islands, about 2.5 km of paddling … Continue reading…
Start at Lac du Bois. Travel south along the double track. Go past an upland lake. A junction to the right climbs up the flank of Wheeler Mountain. Straight ahead takes you south under the forested slopes of Wheeler Mountain. There are a few fencelines, but cattle guards allow free access for the hiker or mountain biker. The fences are … Continue reading…
This route through the Lac Du Bois Grasslands is a favorite route in the spring when all of the migrating ducks and waterfowl nest in the upland lakes of the area. To get to this loop, drive north on the Lac du Bois Road. Just past the 7km mark, park off the right side of the road. The start of … Continue reading…
The shoulder seasons are not the best time to hike the XC Trail networks, but the summer is great for hiking and biking. An extensive trails system that is very well-maintained, clearly signed, and offers varied terrain is the Larch Hills system to the east of Salmon Arm. In winter, there are excellent cross country ski trails and a small … Continue reading…
The Lundbom Lake area is just to the southeast of Merritt. Climb the hill on Highway 5A south and look for the turn not far past the crest of the hill. An unpaved road heads toward Marquart and Lundbom Lakes. There are a number of double track and single track routes from Lundbom so this is a good place to … Continue reading…
When the summer heat arrives, its nice to hike or bike the XC ski trail networks: higher elevations so they are usually cooler often treed so shade can be found good parking, well-signed cleared trails (no ski-scratching rocks!) double tracks for easy riding A few of these trail networks are featured on kamloopstrails.net. China Ridge Cross Country Ski Trails are … Continue reading…
Trails near Skmana Lake are maintained by the cross-country ski club in Chase. In the off-season, they make a pleasant walk, hike, or bike. It is not a big trail system, but it can be combined with routes that go higher or routes over to Aylmer Lake. To get to Skmana Lake, drive up the Niskonlith Lake Road from Chase … Continue reading…
This trail system has many features to recommend: A trailhead parking lot Posted maps and signs at junctions Varied terrain and vegetation zones A well-designed trail system using new and existing routes and linkages to adjacent areas Loop choices Several good lookouts Take the Balmoral Road down to Blind Bay and look for the road that goes up into a … Continue reading…
Shaw Hill is another one of those wooded mountains which has no established hiking trails, but is still a good spot to go up for the exercise and the view. It sits in a unique location for views of Tod Mountain meadows, the Upper Louis Creek area and the Hyas Lake bowl. It can be approached from Hyas Lake or … Continue reading…
Hanging Valley sits out of sight, but it is a worthwhile hike or bike in all 4 seasons. Park near Lac du Bois and follow the road around the north side. Continue to follow the road as it enters a back valley. This area was homesteaded in the early part of the 20th century and there are still bits and … Continue reading…
The Nordic Trails at Sun Peaks have been around a long time. The Kamloops Outdoor Club has a series of ungroomed trails between McGillivray Lake and Mount Morrisey and these are used by cross country skiers and snowshoers in the winter. Some of the trails are fine for summer hiking too, but many become overgrown or are wet. Similarly, Sun … Continue reading…