Tag Archives: Dewdrop Range

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 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.

Frederick Bluffs Hike

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We hiked a loop route in the outer Dewdrop Range at the end of March.    We drove out the Frederick Road, then parked just before the gravel road starts its descent to the lakeside community of Frederick.    Since we have hiked the Frederick Bluffs many times. we try to vary the route each time.    There are no trails, except for a few faint … Continue reading →

Bluebird Trail

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On a cool,  windy, and sunny day in mid-March I decided to hike the Bluebird Trail, scouting a route for the next week.    From the first pullout on the Frederick Road in the Dewdrop Range I hiked a single track trail that bears west along the open forest and grasslands slopes, crossing the Battle Bluff Trail at 1.3 km.     The trail continues for 3.6 … Continue reading →

Hiking the Escarpment Rim Trail

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Red Plateau is line of a volcanic hills and ridges rising up above the Dewdrop Range.    the steep cliffs comprise the Red Plateau Escarpment.    We can get to the rim of the escarpment from below, hiking up a variety of routes, or we can drive up the Red Plateau Forest Service Road.    There are many possible combinations of trails which can be hiked, … Continue reading →

Battle Bluff Hike

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I recently hiked the Battle Bluff Trail from the Frederick Road in the Dewdrop Range.    This was a 4.5 km hike taking about 1.75 hours.    It was very windy on the way up the bluff and too windy to wear a hat on top.    The views were great (as always).    This was my third hike in the Dewdrop Range and more are … Continue reading →

Dewdrop Ridge Basalt Bluffs

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The hike up to and along Dewdrop Ridge is a favorite route.    We can go cross-country or we can wind our way up on single and old double tracks.   Another more adventurous route is to go up and over Dewdrop Range, then scramble down to the base of the long line of basalt bluffs, then traverse to the west on a steep dirt and scree … Continue reading →