Juniper Ridge – Rose Hill Loop

Trail Name: Juniper Ridge – Rose Hill Loop
Distance: 6.5 km
Time: 1.5 – 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Medium
Cell Service: Unknown
Trail: This hike offers nearly every type of trail. It starts and ends as a single track packed dirt path. Throughout the length of the hike, you’ll follow ATV tracks, dirt road, gravel road and paved road.
Highlights: From the top of the Juniper Ridge plateau you’ll enjoy amazing views of the confluence of the north and South Thompson rivers and Mt Peter and Paul.

To get there: From downtown Kamloops, head East on the Trans-Canada Hwy. After passing Cooper’s Foods and Princess Auto, turn right on Highland Rd. Follow this road until you arrive at the roundabout. Take the first exit from the roundabout. Take your first left onto Coldwater Dr. This road winds its way up the hill until the parking dead end. Park here. Get directions from Google here.

When you enter the parking area, the trail head will be visible to your left, just behind a couple of concrete barriers. The trail is quite straightforward and easy to follow from here.  The majority of the climb occurs within the first 2km as you work your way up to the top of the plateau. Once you approach the top, you’ll notice a fork in the trail. Be sure to take the ATV track on your right that heads straight up a short, steep hill. This will bring you to a clearing. The ATV track continues through the clearing and will shortly come to a T at a dirt road. Turn right here as well. This road is fairly flat and provides a number of very nice viewpoints along the way. Keep your eyes open for cattle in the area. The dirt road will eventually join with Rose Hill Rd. Turn right here and head down towards the Rose Hill water tower. In short time this will turn into a paved road and you’ll find yourself in the Rose Hill neighbourhood. Stay on Rose Hill road for about 800m and then turn right onto High Schylea Rd. follow this for 550m and then turn right again on High Canada Pl. Not far down this road, you’ll see it come to a dead end with a metal gate seemingly blocking further access. The trail you want is immediately on the left of this gate. It is a single track dirt trail that will lead you straight back to the parking area. One word of caution, immediately before the parking area is a very short, yet very steep loose rock path. Be careful here! 

This trail is appropriate for most. With the exception of the loose rocky section at the very end, the vast majority of the trail is relatively easy. Dogs will love this trail because of the seemingly permanent puddles along the dirt road along the top of the plateau. However, because the hike does go through the Rose Hill neighbourhood, there is vehicular traffic and other neighbourhood dogs. It might be a good idea to pack a leash for this section.