Okanagan Hiking – High Rim Trail – Philpot to Beaver Lake Road

Thanks to one of TracksAndTrails.ca website visitors we have an update on the condition of the High Rim Trail section from Philpott to Beaver Lake Road. I hope pictures are forthcoming as anyone considering this hike could use any information available. It is easy to get lost when hiking in BC and any information like Grant has provided is a huge benefit to the rest of us – Thanks for providing such excellent detail in your hiking notes Grant! (And thanks for the comments on being prepared)

Hi Clayton. I read your details on the High Rim trail from Kalmalka to Damer Lake with much interest. I’ve wanted to do the High Rim trail for years..But maybe not all at once..
So this past Wednesday, July 16 I did the Philpott to Beaver Lake Rd section… What a hike!!! I wished I had a GPS, I did have a topo map and compass. Mostly not needed but did come in handy a couple of times…Generally the trail is well defined and flagged with the pink/black ribbon..
But in the Orchard Meadows there are few tough sections with little flagging and thick bush. I used up a whole roll of pink flagging to augment the lack of flagging.
After descending Orchard Meadows onto a logging Rd, the trail goes straight across with Orange flagging that says High Rim West Trail…that misguided me as I thought I should be heading a more Northly direction, according what other maps I had. So I hiked this logging rd for a few kms only to turn around and start at this Orange flagging of the “west” trail. There is a bit of blow down in this area. I lost my bear spray cannister around here crawling under one of several logs.
Within a half hour of this part is the very worst section , between 17 to 19 km,of the High Rim trail.. Bush is about 3-4 ft high,no sign of a walked on trail and pink/black flags about every 40-50 ft, if you can spot them..I found it quite difficult. Long pants are a must and so would a chainsaw and brushcutter.
Other than that I really enjoyed the trail. I think I did about 34km that day. I was well prepared with food,water (4 1/2L) and emerg supplies. Though I am kinda sore in the legs today.. Next time I will have a GPS..
sincerely and good hiking….grant

…update – Also there is a campsite with 2 tent spots and 1-2 pit toilets. It is at a spot labelled Grandview (of Kelowna).. Very nice valley view. It is about 5 1/2 to 6 hrs from the Philpott start point. It is located along a section where the trail parallels barb wire fencing, or about 20 minutes south after crossing a road with a green cattleguard. I will try to pinpoint it with Goggle earth..So this campsite would make a good stop from points north of Beaver Lake or those very tired from Philpott.