The trail into Cougar Canyon, near Vernon, begins as a hiking trail in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. We hiked our bikes (i.e.: pushed) up the rocky trail and finally left them in the bush. The trail has a little dead fall. We were not prepared to climb the crazy cliffs without gear, so we just chilled out on a huge cliff overlooking the canyon. If you want to get into the canyon, take the left fork instead of the right about 2 km up. We saw some people climbing and also saw chains and hooks bolted into the rock.
It was a sweet descent on our bikes, back towards Cosens bay. The view is of Kalamalka Lake, looking south towards Kelowna, and of the Cosens Bay beach area.
We saw a black bear on our trip, and it is also a rattlesnake area, so be careful.
Directions:
Kalamalka Lake Park is just south of Vernon. You can reach it by exiting Hwy. 97 east by Okanagan College and driving through Coldstream. Enter Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park at the east side at Cosens bay gate. Take your car along the road, or bike. The road crosses under the power lines a few times before reaching a parking lot on the right side (south). Be sure you don't stop at the first parking lot unless you want to go an a trail I don't know anything about. I think this road is closed in the winter.
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ByPosted By: camwithjam
- Thu Jul 02 21:03:13 EDT 2009
UpsideThe hike to the cliffs is fairly short and whizzes by, the canyon is something to see, it is really nice the rock faces are enormous and you get a great view of the whole canyon and the main valley(Kal Lake) from the viewpoint, there are lots of sparrows playing on the rock faces and amusing to watch. You can also take another path into the Canyon and there are bolts for rock climbing and some prime faces for novice climbers all the way up to experts.
ByPosted By: camwithjam
- Thu Jun 25 20:34:35 EDT 2009
Not Rated
CommentHaha I went today but on the wrong trail lol. I went to the first parking lot and went up a trail about 3k and then just turned around cause my friend hurt his knee. MAKE SURE YOU GO TO THE SECOND PARKING LOT. I'll go on the right one next week and give a proper review
ByPosted By: Sarabiner
- Tue Apr 14 22:50:39 EDT 2009
UpsideLots of good rock climbing in the canyon. Climb it if your in the neighborhood.
Posted By: camwithjam
Posted By: Sarabiner
