Rousseau Hill is the prominent hill overlooking the north shore of Kamloops Lake at the west end of the Dewdrop Range.   It stands above the turn in the lake so we can look down both arms of the lake from a high viewpoint.

To get to the trailhead, we start on the Frederick Road and continue along this good gravel road to a junction at 2km.   We then turn onto the upper high-clearance backroad (Outer Dewdrop Road).   We keep right at junctions and we turn right again onto the upper road where there are some parking areas.   The road above is better suited to 4WD vehicles.   We hike the road for 2 km and at a pass between two hills, we strike off up the steep grassy hill, bearing south on the slopes of Rousseau Hill.

The top of the hill is forested so we descend a bit to viewpoints on the southwest and southeast side for the views and a lunch stop.   The rugged volcanic slopes of the hill stand above Kamloops Lake.

Below is Peregrine Bluff, jutting out toward the lake.

We can see to the end of Kamloops Lake from Six Mile Point to Savona and the Thompson River outlet, flowing west.

There are no trails on Rousseau Hill.   We hiked the backroads, then find a route up through the open forest to viewpoints and back down, a total of 7 km, with a vertical rise of 1650 feet.   It is very unlikely hikers will see anyone else in this rugged, remote area.   On a nice day, though, the top of Rousseau Hill is a fine place to enjoy the quiet forest and the wide views south, east, and west.

Directions:

• Frederick Road start – N50 44.421 W120 32.904
• Drive 3.4km to the road junction and then turn right at N50 45.260 W120 35.265
• Drive 4.1km to a junction at N50 45.741 W120 38.213  and keep right for another 2.1km
• At this final junction at N50 46.311 W120 39.344, go up hill to the right and park
• Follow (hike) the road uphill for 2.0km
• At a curve in the road between two hills (N50 46.930 W120.273), strike off south up the steep grassy slopes
• The best viewpoint is at N50 46.542 W120 40.574.
• Return the way you came.
• Click below for a map:

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