Robbins Range ~ Kamloops, BC

I love us to drive through Robbins Range to enjoy the quiet with the beautiful rolling hills.  We’ve driven it a few times over the years and have taken my visiting sister and husband to see the Range; I could never tire of it.  The history remains a mystery to me even though our dad’s family spent a few years in this part of the country during his young years. 

Rest time for mom and calf

In days of old, there were family homesteads scattered throughout Robbins Range area.  There is still evidence of those days when we drive up there now, but little sign of life today other than some cattle grazing in the fields.  

The old homestead

The ruins of some of these log cabins which were once homes to the families who had lived in this area still offer some insight into what life may have been like back then.  The bare bones of a log cabin are nothing more than logs stacked together to create four walls then a roof.  Insulation as we know it was not used.

Drag harrow still sits

Old farming equipment can still be found sitting amidst the ruins of fences which may have been corrals for the horses and cattle.  This drag harrow was likely pulled by a horse as the attached wooden poles would have been used us a hitching device to harness the horse to it. 

Farm equipment of yesteryear

This old farm equipment may be from very early days as this company that originated in 1895 changed names in 1947 so it could be from those years in between and likely the 30’s.   I am guessing but perhaps this is a baler.   

Robbin's Range sawmill

These hills were also once part of the logging industry, although there are no signs of that now.  A sawmill was brought in by Ed Hughes, my grandfather, in the 1920’s-30’s who went into business and employed local men.    This worker is Reg Gardiner, a local man who later married my grandmother.  If anyone has information concerning this sawmill, I would appreciate hearing it.

Remnants of the wagon

We can see how far transportation has come when we see carts like this.  I don’t think this would be the main transportation for family outings but it sure would have done plenty of hauling hay or other chores on the farm.  A close look shows there are skis rather than wheels so it may have been used to slide across the field whether there was snow or not.

Fencing still stands

There are many ranges for the cattle up in this area today but there are very few signs of life other than the cattle.   You’ll see more homes as you drive through the other ranges and Barnhartvale, which are all part of the beautiful countryside just outside Kamloops.  

Views of the valley

Elevation is higher up in the trees and offers quite a view as we head back home after a great day of enjoying all the views.  Robbins Range is still that special place for me and even though the best I can do is imagine what life was like here in the 30’s, it is a lovely afternoon drive.

There is more on Robbins Range, if you wish to see that, click here.

Just another reason why we love Kamloops, there is no place like home.

Robbins Range ~ Campbell Range ~ Campbell Creek ~ Kamloops, BC

‘A nice day for a drive’ usually conjures up blue sky and sunshine but today was not one of those days. We had clouds and the weather forecast included rain but maybe we could have enough luck to avoid the rain yet see some beautiful countryside so away we went.

Robbins Range Road

We followed the Barnhartvale Rd until we came to the Robbins Range Rd then followed that up through the hills. There was no traffic to speak of but there are farm and ranch homes scattered across the range. The public gravel road meanders through ranchland and you will see signs posted where there is private property.

The curious cow of Robbins Range

We didn’t see very many but we saw more cattle than people on our drive thru Robbins Range then onto Campbell Range. The cattle all wear ear tags that are the identification necessary to track down their personal information like heritage, health data and anything else needed to know about them. A big colored plastic tag takes away the rustic cattle look I will admit, (and by the pose that hides hers, this cow seems to agree), but I know this is necessary. It appears to be applied just like having their ears pierced and I would think this is less painful than branding. I didn’t see any brands but may not have been close enough to see that.

Robbins Range ~ Kamloops, BC

It has been many years since we had driven the Robbins Range Road, so long that it all looked new to me. I wish I had listened to those stories of years gone by but I do know that my dad lived here with his family as a very young boy and his father worked in the mill up there. I wasn’t able to find the mill location but I did enjoy the scenery, it is beautiful up on that range.

Pioneer homestead of Robbins Range

There were some spectacular sights and then there were some old decrepit ones, buildings in ruins and that makes me wonder. What is the story here, who was the family that lived here long ago…... maybe it was my dad and his family?

Aspen poplar lined Campbell Range Rd

There are roadside groves of aspen poplar trees throughout the ranges but this tree lined road was a great looking invitation to see what is around that corner. These trees are named from the trembling or fluttering of the leaves but are a very hardy tree who is the first to leaf out in the spring and the last to lose leaves in the fall. The active ingredient in aspirin occurs in the inner bark of the aspen trees.

Trucks that travelled country roads

Very few trucks were left behind but these ones were and make quite a sight. There was a painted sign on the door of one but I was not able to read it. Maybe it said the name of a ranch or perhaps it was a delivery truck? or a company truck from a mill? We will likely never know but it is fun to wonder.

Descend to Barnhartvale ~ Kamloops, BC

As we followed the hill back down to Barnhartvale, we were looking at a view of the mountains in the distance and the valleys that make up this beautiful area that we live in.  Barnhartvale was renamed in 1909 but previous to that was called Campbell Creek, which was the name of one of the earliest pioneers in this area, who no doubt was taken by the breathtaking views that we now enjoy.

Harvesting the crops

We did not see sunshine but that did not detract from the beautiful valleys, hills and fields. Most of the history written of these hills speak about cattle and we saw signs of that to still be here today. The fields that grow crops are being harvested at this time of year but by the time we got to this point, we had rain and there was no harvesting being done at the moment.

Campbell Creek Road ~ Kamloops, BC

We spent the afternoon touring Robbins Range, Campbell Range and then followed Campbell Creek Rd which weaves through more valleys, passing several homes on the final part of the road before reaching the old Merritt Hwy #5A. We passed a few lakes during our drive, some of which are a good size and offer good fishing but today was a day of enjoying the scenery that took us back in time.

We need not drive far before we are out of the city and enjoying the beautiful vistas in the hills surrounding Kamloops. You may want to check the map before you leave but the roads we followed are easy to find and you will see road signs at each crossing that will avoid taking a wrong turn.  (place your cursor on the map below and you are able to move it to follow the roads).

We are so lucky to have all of this in Kamloops, there is just no place like home !

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