We have been hiking, orienteering, and exploring the hills near Six Mile Lake for many years.   Much of the land is private, owned by the Haywood Farmer family of the Indian Gardens Ranch near Savona, but they have been allowing fishermen and some others to access the area, as long as we gently cross fences, don’t bother cattle, and show respect for the land.   We usually come in from the east end, as noted on a previous post on this site – https://kamloopstrails.net/six-mile-lake-loop/

On our last visit to the area, we climbed to the top of the hill on the north side which  overlooks Kamloops Lake.

There is no trail to the top of this hill.   We just strike off through the open forest and grasslands.   We returned down and followed old double tracks southwest to the Slough, where the former Trans Canada road runs right into the water (a dam has enlarged this former pond into a small lake).

We enjoy the tracks through the hills on the south side of the lake which we follow to the end of Pat Lake.

This is a special area so come quietly and leave nothing but your footprints.

Coordinates:

• TCH turn-off – N50 44.139 W120 42.208
• Turtle Pond – N50 44.178 W120 43.525
• Pat Lake – N50 44.237 W120 44.295
• Six Mile Hill – N50 44.994 W120 45.193
• the Slough – N50 44.331 W120 44.479

Special Note

George Haywood Farmer, a pioneer of the Indian Gardens Ranch, is in the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame – click the link for more information.