Red Tailed Hawk Loop
The Red Tailed Hawk Loop is a 6.1 km lollipop hiking route in Kamloops that winds through Kenna Cartwright Nature Park to provide some amazingly scenic views of the North Thompson Valley. While there are some stretches of light forest cover, the majority of the trail is exposed, so be prepared for a day in the sun. Additionally, this entire park is an off-leash area for dogs, making it an ideal hiking route that the entire family will love.
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Route Description for Red Tailed Hawk Loop
While the Red Tailed Hawk Loop is accessible year-round, the steeper portions of the trail can become blanketed with mud and ice in the winter and spring seasons. Plan your hike accordingly and bring any necessary gear if you want to complete the entire route. Setting out from the trailhead, make your way uphill to the fork and take the Ponderosa Trail to the left to begin your ascent of the western side of the ridge. This portion of the hike is steep in some areas and has some loose rock, so watch your footing as you climb your way uphill. Reaching the northwest corner of the loop, you will pass by an outhouse and the Spadefoot Pond before following the Lower Doug Daws Trail to the east.
Here, you will have an amazing view looking down into the valley below, with the coursing water of the Thompson River dissecting the valley floor. Work your way around the forests that make up the eastern edge of the park and take in the scenic views overlooking Kamloops before heading south to meet up with the Red Tailed Hawk Trail. Follow this to the south to descend the ridge and complete the return journey to the parking lot below.
Getting to the Red Tailed Hawk Loop Trailhead
To get to the trailhead for the Red Tailed Hawk Loop from Kamloops, make your way southwest along BC-1 for 3.2 km and take exit 366. After 300 m, stay to the right to merge onto Copperhead Drive. Continue on for 100 m and make a left turn on Hillside Drive. Follow this for 400 m and turn right to enter the parking lot.
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