Our best riverside walk starts on the Rivers Trail at the end of Aviation Way.   The trailbed is a raised dike above the high water mark.  If we hike this in early spring/late winter, we can combine the trail with a diversion to Dale’s Antique Beach, and the sandbars that extend toward Tranquille.

The trail heads west passing between riparian growth on the riverbank side and fields on the north side.   Willows stand with bright yellow colors in front of Mara Mountain.

Side trails parallel the main one and we sometimes choose to follow these single tracks, then we turn left to go down to an old vehicle dump, known locally as Dale’s Antique Beach.

Over the years, the willows have grown up among the wrecks and the colors have mostly faded to orange rust.

Beyond the wrecks, the route opens up to sand and we usually hike out to the end, veering right around some bushed-in areas.   A sandy point looking out to Kamloops Lake is our turn-around point.

When the river goes down in the summer, it leaves logs and debris behind and the beach looks different every year.   Red ossier dogwood and willow lines the shore.

We followed the edge of the river on the way back, skirting debris and bushed in areas.   The river flows past us quietly.

The beaches extend all the way back to the start area.   The out-and-back route is about 7km.

This is another favorite route to do in the early season, especially on sunny day.  It is suitable for the whole family, for dogs, and older hikers.

Coordinates:

• Rivers Trail start – N50 41.960 W120 26.413 (end of Aviation Way)
• Turn toward Dale’s Antique Beach – N50 42.108 W120 27.922
• Dale’s Antique Beach – N50 42.102 W120 28. 013
• Bear right to go around a “brushy island”
• Turn-around Point – N50 42.428 W120 28.800 (varies according to the month)