Rim Rocks
Individual Trail
North Okanagan / Coldstream
60 min driving from Downtown Kelowna
The Rim Rocks walk, located only about 20 minutes outside of downtown Vernon, features some of the most unique geology of the area. Hikers should follow the white signs with green arrows to stay on trail. The walk begins as a double-wide path, which after 1.3 km turns left and becomes single track. The views of Bluenose, Coldstream and Vernon are soon to follow. Eventually, once greeted with two green-arrow signs (one pointing right and one pointing down), begin heading down.
After a very short and incredibly steep descent, hikers are thrust into a volcanic valley with an enormous plethora of multi-sized boulders. This is an adult playground! Spend time enjoying the unique rock formations, and head back the same way. This clearing has some bizarre dugouts that appear to be cisterns, and also ample rock-climbing options with holds and rope already in place.
For the more adventurous, continue following the cliff wall eastward until reaching the end of the clearing 500 meters later. Make no mistake, this 500 meters can easily take an hour due to the intensely technical walk between the rocks. Proceed between the two large piles of stones, just before the forest, onto a very seldom used trail which connects back with a double-wide route. Continue "right" and uphill on this route until reaching a pink-flagged single track to the right. This path reconnects with the trailhead and shows hikers a birds-eye view of the route just taken below.
Basics
Features
| Creator: | Josh Hoggan |
|---|---|
| Duration Class: | Medium Hike |
| Seasons: | Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Difficulty Description: | Moderate hike with one very steep section and ongoing technical walk through the rock field. |
| Dogs: | Not recommended. |
| Children: | Not recommended. |
| Cell Service: | Excellent (Telus Oct 2017) |
| First Listed: | 2017-Oct-07 |
| Last Updated: | 2018-Jun-26 |
| Duration Round-Trip (solo): | 150 min |
|---|---|
| Trailhead GPS: | 50.197398000,-119.153431000 |
| Trailend GPS: | 50.197398000,-119.153431000 |
| Distance: | 6.32 km (round-trip) |
| Elevation at Start: | 993 meters |
| Elevation at End: | 993 meters |
| Elevation Minimum: | 993 meters |
| Elevation Maximum: | 1,158 meters |
| Elevation Gain: | 431 meters (round-trip) |
| Elevation Loss: | -431 meters (round-trip) |
| Slope Up: | 13.10% (round-trip) |
| Slope Down: | -12.10% (round-trip) |
Just got back from this today. Before getting started: there's a little pull out for parking. I didn't see it until I got back.
Sat, May 5, 2018 3:43 PMOn the trail: First two forks are unmarked - stay right on both, then follow the arrows. There is still snow in sections, and fallen trees and branches so you either have to climb over or under them, or find a path around. (Someone's tagged parts of the path with pink ribbon, which I found immensely helpful.) I also had to cross two small streams (a little to wide to jump them). Can get a little breezy up around the top of the Rocks, but I was pretty warm by then and welcomed it.
Also, the Rocks are amazing. I didn't go too far down because there are still some icy patches. Interesting to watch the ants working.
Side note: there weren't any mosquitoes that I could see today, but there is lots of standing water, and a very large pond with frogs or toads. I would recommend bringing the bug spray during the summer.