Tag Archives: hiking

Stake Lake X3

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

Although the Stake Lake Rec Site is officially “closed” because of the Ross Moore Lake wildfire, the gate to the parking area is open and lots of people are fishing or paddling the lake, and hiking, walking and biking the inner trails.   On a cloudy but mild September day I launched my kayak into the lake and paddled around the shoreline.

There was a breeze on the lake, but not enough to deter me from a great day of paddling on the lake.    I paddled around twice, once in each direction.    That takes about an hour.

After paddling, I secured the boat on the roof rack, then hiked around the lake, mostly using single tracks where available.

After a period of extended drought the forest is still very dry.    A few shrubs and perennials were still green if they were near water.

This is a favorite, three times around Stake Lake.      We will do this again in the fall.

Some moments of the three loops are shared here in a short YouTube video:

 

Stake Lake Loops

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

We hike, bike, cross country ski, snowshoe, and paddle in the Stake Lake Trails system.    In summer we sometimes paddle around the lake 1-3 times, then we go for a hike on the trails.   On this warm summer day, I paddled twice around the lake in calm conditions. 

Each loop is about 2.25 km.  

We secured the boat then hiked on the double track trails, but we also went onto a single track snowshoe trail too.  

The hike added another 5 km.  

Along the way, we stopped to enjoy wildflowers, pollinators, and the forest.   Click an image for a caption.

We will be back for another duathlon – paddle then hike over the summer months.  

 

Bonaparte Plateau

Kamloops Kayak Posted on by

Bonaparte Plateau is a high forested area north of Kamloops.   Access is by backroads.   Jamieson creek Forest Service Road is the best road to use from Kamloops.    All hiking and paddling in this remote area requires a good sense of navigation and preparedness for the backcountry.   The best hike is to Skoatl Point.   The other hiking trails follow deactivated roads, tracks, and seldom-visited fishing/hunting tracks, usually with lots of windfall.   There are many lakes on the plateau, but only a  few with easy vehicle access.

Some of the trails have been there for decades, but pine beetle kill, spruce bud worm, and lack of maintenance has made them impassable.  The routes in from Tranquille Lake, the Deadman’s Road, the Wentworth Road, and others can be done, but a 4×4 and preparation for removing deadfall, flat tires, low fuel, and navigating the backroad is advised.

The Google Map here has zoom, pan, sharing, full-screen, and embedded pictures, links, and more information:

Some Images of Hikes and Paddles on the Bonaparte Plateau:

More Information: