High Above Pass Lake
We hiked through the forest starting at 1224m (4015 feet) and we made our way up to a viewpoint at 1334 m (4374 feet) on a stormy day. A few photos were taken, but the grey light, dark skies and … Continue reading →
Doug Smith
On the Ragged Red Ridge
We hiked up a rugged and steep ridge from the Dewdrop Range to the rim of the Red Plateau Escarpment, then hiked along the rim trail and came down the Dewdrop Trail for a 7 km challenging outing. Along the … Continue reading →
The Bitterroot Bloom
We drove to the Ashcroft to Spences Creek corridor to hike into the hills to find bitterroot (lewisia redviva) in bloom. We know three spots within an hour’s drive and we know when it blooms from past explorations so … Continue reading →
Hiking on Upper Peterson Creek Trails
We hiked a longer loop through the hills above Peterson Creek on a sunny day and took a few wildflower and flowering shrub photos along the way. Near the start, western mountain ash (sorbus sp.) was in bloom in the … Continue reading →
Roaming through the Frederick Bluffs
We hiked through the rugged Frederick Bluffs which are the rocky hills overlooking Kamloops Lake. We went over hill and dale and watched for wildflife and wildflowers along the route. We saw a hatched clutch of eggs right next to … Continue reading →
A Pineview Nature Walk
We walked the grandkids around the Pineview Nature Loop, but took the time to go off-trail here and there to inspect the plants and animals we found. One surprise was a golden currant shrub (ribes aureum), sometimes called buffalo currant. … Continue reading →
Through the Upper Grasslands on a Rainy Day
On a rainy May day, I drove to the upper grasslands to see the chocolate lilies and whatever else was emerging. I wasn’t disappointed. Chocolate lilies (fritillaria sp.) were abundant . Delicate small-flowered woodland star (lithophragma sp.) was also prolific … Continue reading →
Chocolate Lilies in the Upper Grasslands
Each year, I hiked into various areas and watch for the appearance of chocolate lilies (fritillaria sp.). On a rainy day, I drove to the upper grasslands of Lac du Bois Grasslands Nature Conservancy and hiked on trails and through … Continue reading →
In the Hills Above Goose Lake
I hiked from the Goose Lake area into the hills on the border between the forest and the grasslands, going quietly, observing the forest, the open slopes, the birds, and wildflowers on an eclectic route. In the open spots, western … Continue reading →
On the Swakum Mountain Trails
We hiked the sunny, south-facing dry slopes of Swakum Mountain above Merritt, covering a lot of miles over that day. Balsam root dominated the open areas on the Upper Scenic Trail, but there were a few other wildflowers in the … Continue reading →
Above Lac du Bois
On May 11, I hiked into the hills above Lac du Bois. This is a favorite route and it is rich in wildflowers, butterflies, and grasslands birds in late May and June. Early wildflowers in the area included buttercups, yellow … Continue reading →
Over the Hills to Painted Bluffs
We did a spring hike over the hills from Copper Creek to Painted Bluffs Provincial Park. This is a demanding route over ridges and through gullies down to the bottom of the park, then back up again. the route is … Continue reading →