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 it cooled.     Most of the escarpment is this rough basalt, piled high into cliffs.    There are air pockets, small caves, crevices, and a few arches in the Escarpment.     There are three arches that are large enough to climb through.    The largest  is directly below Castle Butte and we can scramble up to a spot just above the arch.    The second is a smaller arch which we can hike through, located just off the Dewdrop Traverse Trail on the rim, to the west of Castle Butte.    The third is in the Jag Hill cliffs, hard to see unless you are in the right spot.    I have hiked through all 3 (I did one of them again this year).

The largest of the three was named Dewdrop Arch.    We can see through the arch at a spot on the rough Dewdrop Road to the west of the arch.     Near there a rough trail/route that goes up a gully to the top of a ridge above the arch.    It is a bit precarious to go down to the top of the arch, but it can be done.    We climbed up through the arch, using a rope for safety, then we scrambled all the way to the top and came back on an established trail.

Any hiking/scrambling to Dewdrop Arch is best done by experienced scramblers/climbers.     It is a rugged route on loose material.   Shared here are some photos of successive outings to the Arch.

• YouTube video – Dewdrop Arch
• Dewdrop Arch Album (with captions)