McConnell Lake Loops

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We hike, paddle, and snowshoe in McConnell Lake Park over the whole year.    On a day in the middle of September, it was an early start to do loops on and around the lake.    My kayak was the first boat on the lake.    The paddle around the lake took about 36 minutes.    Afterward, the boat was secured and hiking shoes were put on for a hike around the 3.5 km lakeside trail.    With unloading and reloading the boat, the whole workout was about 2 hours.    There were loons and eagles out on and over the lake, and kokanee could be seen swimming below.

The hike is a winding trail through Douglas Fir and lodgepole pine forest, and there are some damper areas with mixed forests.      It is a popular trail for families and for dog walkers, especially at prime times.    With an early start on a weekday it was mostly a quiet paddle and hike.   

On some days after paddling, the option to hike the Stake Lake Trails offers some variety, but all of the days paddling on Stake Lake, McConnell Lake, or Lac le Jeune followed by a hike on nearby trails are good days in the uplands forests.    

Shared here are some photos taken while paddling and hiking at McConnell Lake.  

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McConnell Hill Loop

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At the end of the first week of September, we got an early start to hike the McConnell Hill Loop route.    From the Stake Lake parking area we followed a series of double track ski trails (Cartwheel – Ponderosa – Sitting Bull – Rustler) to get to point on the southwest corner of the hill.    We then followed a single track snowshoe trail (Bushwhacker) … Continue reading →

Spillman Beaches Marine Site

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We have kayaked across Adams Lake to Spillman Beaches Marine Site several times, camping at the water-access-only campground.    There are some short trails to hike, beaches to explore, and shoreline to paddle.   Best access for launching a canoe or kayak is from the west side from unofficial side roads heading down to the lake,  or any of the  Recreation Sites along the lake.   Brennan Creek … Continue reading →

Forest Loop – Wheeler Pond

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On an early September gray day, I hiked a loop route, going around Lac du Bois, up a forest trail to Wheeler Pond, then back on the Wheeler Mountain Road to the grasslands, past another pond, and around Lac du Bois.    With some side routes long the way, it was about a 6 km route.   There are several faint trails to connect to the upper … Continue reading →

Black, Roche, and Tulip Lakes

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At the end of August I paddled Roche Lake on a calm and partly sunny day.    It was quiet on the lake, far different from prime fishing season.    This was my 71st day of kayaking in 2026, and the second time on the lake this season.   As I was paddling back toward the boat launch, a trout leaped out of the water in front … Continue reading →

Dewdrop Arch

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The Red Plateau Escarpment rises 700 vertical meters (2300 feet) from the Dewdrop Range below.    The Dewdrop Range is a hilly benchland above Kamloops Lake.     The Escarpment above was formed by successive volcanic eruptions over many millions of years.     The rock in the Escarpment is composed of the rough a’a lava.    It was viscous, flowing rapidly, breaking up into chunks (clinkers) as … Continue reading →

Dallas – Barnhartvale Loop

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On a greyish, cloudy day the hike for the day started on Mountview Drive, just off Dallas Road.    The loop route went up the Hoodoo Trail to the upper area near Eliza Road, then a cross-country (off-trail) route across to the Blackwell Trails, a side route out on a ridge to an overlook, then north to the silt cliffs overlooking Dallas, following single tracks back … Continue reading →

Gils Trail to Tod Lake

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On a sunny late August day we rode the Sunburst Chair up Tod Mountain to mid-station.     We hiked Gil’s Trail all the way to Tod Lake.    After a break there, we hiked the Saddleback Trail over to a junction with the Whyte Bowl Trail and down through part of the West Bowl, and back by the Altitude multi-use trail to the chairlift for a … Continue reading →

Red Lake Rec Site

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On a warm day with no smoke, I drove up the Tranquille – Criss Creek Road 36 km to Red Lake.     the usual boat launch is from the east side, but there is a newer Recreation Site at the north end.    From the junction to Red Lake, continue up the Criss Creek Road for 2 km, then turn left onto the Seven Lakes Road.  … Continue reading →

Mud Lake Hike

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Mud Lake is a small marshy lake in the hills between McQueen Lake and Opax Mountain.   The tracks that lead to Mud Lake and around the lake are restricted to non-motorized use and somewhat grown-over.     I had been in to Mud Lake a number of times and I had explored several of the tracks branching off, but I had never worked out a loop route … Continue reading →