From the middle of November to the time when the ground freezes we face some rain, mud, and unsettled weather. Regular hiking routes turn muddy. Rain does not quickly evaporate so vegetation gets wet. Conditions get slippery. Hiking boots get soaked. The sun sets early. We get chilled when the winds arise. You have to love hiking to be out on a regular basis at this time of the year.

What we can do is to pick routes that are reasonable – open spots with sparse vegetation, ridges, double tracks, backroads, and lower elevations.

Best bets at this time of year are Battle Bluff, the Barren Hills, the open areas of Kenna Cartwright, Outer Inks Lakes, the grasslands, the Rivers Trail by the Airport, Barnes Lake Trails, Valleyview Silt Cliffs, the Dallas-Barnhartvale Trails, Lower Rose Trails, the Ironmask Hills, the west end of Kenna, Cooney Bay, and the Batchelor Hils. There are articles on all of these on this site (use the Search function) and also on KamloopsHikingTrails.com.

Snowshoe season is just ahead…