Kamloops Lake ~ Cherry Creek ~ Savona, BC ~

We love RVing that takes us to every corner of this beautiful country but sometimes we may see something right outside our own door (or perhaps a friends’ door) that can take our breath away.  I enjoy every season looking at Kamloops Lake from our favorite viewpoint in Cherry Creek.

Kamloops Lake, Kamloops, BC

The North Thompson River meets the South Thompson River in Kamloops then flow into Kamloops Lake, west of downtown Kamloops.  Due to the fact that the lake is river fed, the level can vary quite a bit over the year.  There can be up to 30 feet difference between high and low season, which exposes rocky edges and wide beaches late summer and fall.

Reflections on Kamloops Lake, BC

Kamloops Lake is 1.6 km (1mi) wide and 29 km (18 mi) long, and averages 71m (233 ft) deep.   The water passes thru the lake at varying speeds, depending on the time of year and volume of water in the lake but averages about 60 days for all water to pass through Kamloops Lake.  This water qualifies to meet or exceed the Canadian Drinking Water Standards. 

Snowy rockface on Kamloops Lake, BC

Frederick is a small community on the north side of the lake, and Tobiano Golf Course and Cherry Creek are situated on the south side.  Savona was originally set on the north side and called Savona Ferry.  It was at Savona that “the Martin” was launched, reported to be the first steamboat built in the interior of B.C.

 

Everchanging shadows and reflections on Kamloops Lake

Savona Ferry was the last stop of the Cariboo Wagon Road from Cache Creek and where travelers then boarded the steamship to journey up Kamloops Lake to Kamloops during the years 1865-1885 before the CPR was built.  It was then at that time that Savona Ferry was moved across the frozen lake, building by building as the railway became the main transportation.

 

Grandpa and Grandson enjoy the view of Kamloops Lake

Winter can bring cold enough temperatures that ice is formed on the lake but rarely would it ever be considered thick enough to skate or ice fish on.  I believe there could be shallow bays that might be more likely to freeze enough for skating, which did happen in recent years in Savona.  Usually there are just very thin ice patches, as seen from this viewpoint.

 

Viewpoint of Kamloops Lake at Savona, BC

The highway we now use on the south side of Kamloops Lake was built in the early 1900’s.  Just east of Savona there is a Viewpoint Lookout and Rest stop that offers a 180 degree view.  From here you will enjoy an incredible view of Kamloops Lake as well as see where both CNR and CPR tracks meander along both sides of the lake.  It would not be long before you would be watching a train as it makes its way past the viewpoint and rest area.

 

Balancing Rock on Kamloops Lake, BC

The Savona Balancing Rock, called the ‘Coyote Rock’ by local First Nations can be viewed from the highway if you go a short distance down the highway from the Viewpoint Lookout towards Savona.  It does blend in well with its’ surroundings and can be a bit difficult to see.  There is a trail through private property that apparently owners allow hikers to use, still further down the road, that would give you a closer view.  This picture was taken from lakeside.

 

                                                         Savona on Kamloops Lake, BC

The major lakeside community is Savona as you enter the Gold Country from the east.  This would suggest it was so named due to the history of the gold rush of years gone by but I think I may have found the ‘pot of gold’ right in downtown Savona if I follow this rainbow.  Kamloops Lake and surrounding areas including Savona, are truly treasures to enjoy.

Tranquille River ~ Criss Creek ~ Savona, BC, Canada

We love Kamloops and any opportunity we have to show it off to others is our pleasure to do. We had visiting family that were keen to see anything we wanted to show them, so on July 1 we said we’d take them for a drive to see some of the hills that are hidden up behind Kamloops. We’d hoped for sunshine and had clouds instead, but packed a picnic and headed out for the day.

CN Rail follows along Kamloops Lake

We followed Tranquille Road past the Kamloops airport out to the old Tranquille farm where we took the Red Lake road up the hill. There are some great views here, including the tunnel for the CN rail before you are out of sight of Kamloops Lake.  We followed this road which meanders through the hills and mountains that show some very deep valleys down below that road. Some of the views were surprising, well hidden behind the trees at times but showing some of those pretty valleys. We saw cattle wandering around, willing to share the road with us as long as we weren’t in a hurry.

                                                               Bridge over Tranquill River                                                                                        

We stopped just after crossing an old bridge, which appears to be a Bailey bridge from the view we had from down at the water. This is the Tranquille River on the maps but more generally called a creek, likely due to its size, we expect rivers to be much wider.

                                   

Cedar Waxwing Bird

We stopped at a Forest Service recreational park right beside the creek to have a ‘tailgate picnic’. There were lots of mosquitoes to share our picnic with but we’d gone prepared for that. We did enjoy the birds there, and were able to get several pictures of the pretty Cedar Waxwing as we quietly watched them.

Ranching down in the valley

There are many roads which one might want to follow, but not a bad idea to have a map or someone who knows their way through this area. We thought that because it was a national holiday we would not see any working trucks, but we were passed by several fast moving trucks with pup trailers transporting clay. Be aware and prepared to move over.

Round bales of hay dot the valley

There are many ranches up in this area and we stopped to watch the rancher doing his job, this Canada Day. No holidays for the rancher when there is work to be done.

Flowers color the hillside leading to Kamloops Lake

We then followed Criss Creek Road for awhile before we reached our destination for the day. We never did get sunshine but it wasn’t a cold day so we were able to celebrate Canada Day on Kamloops Lake with more family.

Baby's Breath grows wild

And this was where we got the biggest wildlife surprise of the day with the sightings of the California Bighorn Sheep. Be sure to see those pictures on the other blog page by clicking here.

Copper Creek on Kamloops Lake

After a traditional Canada Day barbeque dinner, we left to finish our day trip and followed the road to Savona, (clik to see more) then onto Hwy 1.  We found the one ray of sunshine of the day and it made for such a pretty scene over at the Copper Creek settlement across Kamloops Lake, another photo opp. 

It was a great day to share with our family from the UK. It also gives us the opportunity to see Kamloops from a visitor’s point of view to remind us of what a great place we live in, there is just no place like home !