Barren Hills Hike
The hills above the north shore of Kamloops rise steeply above the flood plain, but the hills beyond are mostly rolling and treeless Bachelor Hill stands above this area with Telus towers on top. A road switchbacks up to the top, but this is the least pleasing route choice. Instead, a number of old double tracks can be combined to make a pleasing loop. This area is prime hiking terrain for the shoulder season, especially November-December and March. The south-facing slopes and lack of trees means that the snows disappear rapidly and do not accumulate into deep drifts, except on the north side of larger hills.
The east side of the Lac du Bois Road is the home of ATVs and the hills are steep and scarred from motorized activity. The west side also sees ATVs and 4WDs, but less so. It has more gentle terrain for hikers and mountain bikers. In the depths of winter, it is also good for snowshoeing.
There are two accessible starting points for these trails. The easiest point is 1.9 km past the cattleguard up the Lac du Bois Road. Pass the ATV staging area at 1.45km and continue on to where the road takes a sharp right. A road goes left at this point. You can park just off the road here, or drive down the hill to the fence and park. From this trailhead (N50 43.586 W120 23.979), start your hike or bike by heading west. At a junction stay left to avoid going up the microwave tower road. Various other junctions lead off south or north,, but keep a west bearing route, staying fairly level, aiming towards the south faces of Mount Mara. At the end of this section, the road splits into two with the lower fork heading down to the area by the Agriculture Research Station. Take the upper fork and start a long gradual climb. At junctions stay west, paralleling the gully that separates Mount Mara from the Barren Hills. At the highest point you will be on top of Orange Cap, a hill with a triangular orange-colored crown of rock. This is a good spot for lunch and photos. When we were there, hoar frost covered the sheltered slope.
Follow the trail north to another junction at the edge of Lac du Bois Park, turn right and follow the grassy double tracks down through passes, dales, and gullies bearing east. Various route options to return can be taken. Use the map below to select your choice. The route in blue is a 13 km, 3 hour hike. On our hike on December 10th, there was no snow. We will return in the winter to follow the animal tracks – coyote, rabbit, field mice, and deer. Watch for our snowshoes tracks along the route.