Mara Canyon Trail - Kamloops Trails

Description:

The Batchelor Hills and Mount Mara stand north of Tranquille Road (and Ord Road in Brocklehurst). There are a few single track trails that climb steeply up into Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected area, off Ord Road, but the main trails are Mara Canyon (sometimes called Cinnamon Ridge Trail or the Hoodoos Trail) and the Mara Hills.

Driving Directions:

Follow one of the main east-west roads through the North Shore to the airport, then continue along Tranquille Road past the Kamloops Golf Club. The trailheads are unsigned.

Trailheads:

The trailhead for Mara Canyon is a wide parking area on the right side of the road at (2.2 km past the golf course entrance). Although the trail is mostly in Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area, it requires crossing the CN train tracks. The trail is very popular and well-used, but it does mean crossing the tracks over CN Rail property. This is unsafe when a train is approaching and, in addition, a number of hikers have been stranded on the other side of a parked train. It is not recommended to cross the tracks here, although most hikers to the canyon choose this route.
There is a safer crossing. At a level crossing over the tracks one kilometer back, cross the tracks, then take the left fork and continue to the end of the old dirt road, parking in an old excavated area. There are numerous old wrecks along this road, but the road is available for public access.
This is most popular trail in the area and over time, BC Parks, CN Rail, the City of Kamloops, and the adjacent property owner will need to find a resolution to the access issue. In the meantime, please make safe choices.

Mara Canyon Trail

The trail goes up, then splits into two main options. The route that goes up the canyon climbs farther up the hill on a single track bearing north to N50 43.384 W120 28.452 before dropping into the canyon. Hikers sometimes miss this turn. The route that goes right from the junction winds its way up the east side ridge. It is sometimes used as the return route on a loop.
The trail follows the bottom of the creek through the canyon. A slot canyon is reached part way up, requiring some scrambling. Hoodoos stand above the canyon on both sides.
At the top of the east ridge a 3-way junction is met (at N50 43.961 W120 28.180) . The track from the SSW is the canyon trail, the track that goes south is the ridge trail. The track that bears north is a steep, loose scramble up to the summit of Mt. Mara.
There are some slippery sections coming down the East Ridge.
The loop route is about 4.5 km.
There are some interesting scrambles on the sides of the canyon, but care must be taken.
Rattlesnakes are a possibility in the area, especially in June and July. Ticks will be out in spring. The canyon is often muddy in early spring.