Meet Kamloops Hikers: Wayne & Johanna Parsons

Kamloops' semi-arid desert creates ideal terrain for spring hiking. Discover a trail network that encompasses golden grasslands, fragrant sagebrush, and chiseled hoodoos.

Local hikers, Wayne and Johanna, share their love of hiking through their personal Instagram accounts to showcase Kamloops' diverse trails.

Meet Wayne

My love of hiking grew from many years of riding and maintaining Kamloops' mountain bike trails. The slower pace of hiking gives me the time to stop, take in the sweeping desert views, and capture the moments on my camera. We are fortunate to have rugged terrain and a mild climate that allow for year-round access to an accessible network of trails.

Two of my favourite hiking trails include Battle Bluff and Dewdrop because of the spectacular views, especially at sunset.

Meet Johanna

I was born and raised in North Vancouver and grew up exploring the trail systems in the Vancouver area. Since meeting Wayne, I have spent more time getting to know Kamloops. I quickly fell in love with the unique landscape and the incredible vastness of wilderness.

I love that within 5-minutes from our door, we can be on a trail breathing fresh air and feeling like the only people around. My favourite hiking trails in Kamloops include Battle Bluff, Embleton Mountain, Cinnamon Ridge Hoodoos, and the Lac du Bois Grasslands.

For this shoot, we hiked to the Lava Flow Lookout in Kenna Cartwright Park, the largest municipal park in British Columbia. Featuring over 40km of trails, the park is located 10 minutes from downtown and enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers, and pups. Some of the most popular trails include the Tower Trail and Sunset Trail.