Battle Bluff Hike

Battle Bluff (hike)

Location

  • Dewdrop Range, west of Kamloops

Road Access

  • Tranquille Road > Red Lake Road (called the Tranquille Criss Creek Road on Google maps) > Frederick Road (sometimes called Dewdrop Road) > go 1.5 km and park on the left
  • The Red Lake Road and the Frederick Road are good gravel roads

 

Trailhead

  • watch for a BC Parks sign just off the road at a smaller parking area
  • the trail crosses the flats (this can be muddy or wet in early spring), then enters a visible gully ahead
  • coordinates – N50 44.794 W120 33.919

 

 

 

 

 

Parking

  • there is room for a few vehicles there and more room at another parking spot beforehand

Meet-up Spot

  • Brocklehurst Dog Park on Ord Road
  • there is additional parking just east of the meet-up on Ord Road

Optimal Group Size

  • this is an easy area to lead a group so pick a group size that is most comfortable to manage

Season

  • late winter after the snow clears to the end of November

Seasonal Notes

  • this can be a hot area in summer with little shade
  • the hike is best done from early in March to the middle of June, then September through November

Length

  • 2 km each way (4 km return)

Difficulty

  • a moderate route with one uphill each way

Climb

  • one short hill each way, not a difficult hike

Duration

  • an hour or less each way

Fitness Requirements

  • suitable for all levels

Dogs

  • an okay area for dogs
  • some cactus on the hills
  • within the Provincial Park so leashes are required, but dogs could be off leash unless there are a lot of hikers on the trail; for the hike leader’s discretion

Trail Info

  • crosses the flats and goes up the gully then angles to the right on a double track
  • the double track veers a bit west then descends to a lower bench
  • turn left on the bench and follow the track to the foot of the hill then follow a single track to the top as it winds through rock outcrops
  • stop at the viewpoint on the south side of the highest point

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Notes

 

  • a popular hike that is suitable for everyone
  • it is best to warm people to stay back from drop-offs at the end of the trail
  • other off-trail routes are possible but scouting should be done to avoid steep rock slopes
  • tick season from early March through mid-June
  • rattlesnakes are possible from mid-May through the summer
  • bears do not frequent these hills

 

References and Resources

  • KamloopsTrails.net – Battle Bluff
  • TrailPeak – Battle Bluff
  • Hike Kamloops – Battle Bluff
  • information compiled by D. Smith – email dsmith@kamloopshikingclub.net for updates, corrections, etc.