Kenthen brings a rare ability to bridge the contemporary with the traditional, captivating people of all ages. His dramatic and often humorous retelling of traditional stories and Secwepemc teachings foster a deeper respect for the land and all our relations. Kenthen will join local interpreters and Shuswap Trail Alliance hosts for a daily hour and a half walk exploring a different theme at each hike location. 

The guided interpretive hikes are part of the Routes and Blues Outreach project. Route specific daily itineraries have been developed comprised of a series of interesting hikes, a broad variety of side activities, and a delicious local meal capped with a Roots and Blues satellite concert to introduce travelers and locals alike to the wonderful elements of the Shuswap lifestyle. 

The guided walks start each day at 10 am and are hosted by the Shuswap Trail Alliance together with local community partners, including four sponsored by BC Parks. This year’s interpretive walks include: 

Friday, Aug 2: Yard Creek Provincial Park, Malakwa - Dig These Roots - a strolling exploration of interior BC's lush cedar hemlock forests and the abundant life it produces. 

Saturday, Aug. 3: White Lake Turtle Spotting - Turtles are some of the oldest animals on the planet. Explore their world and do a little Turtle Spotting with local naturalist, Trish Wallensteen. 

Sunday, Aug. 4: A Blast of History Falkland Walking Tour – take a walk into the colourful - and explosive - history of Falkland, complete with Rodeos, Dog Sled Teams, mining, and a whole lot of character and heart! Did someone say dynamite? 

Friday, Aug. 9: Groove with Salmon and explore the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre nature trails with local naturalists along the Shuswap River on a discovery of the remarkable interconnection of Salmon with everything that lives and grows. 

Saturday, Aug. 10: Albas Falls Provincial Park Wild Waterfall Pilgrimage - Stop on your way to Seymour Arm at this remarkable oasis and pay homage to the power and presence of water as it tumbles down a series of five waterfalls before joining the great Shuswap lake system. 

Sunday, Aug. 11: Ancient Pathways at Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park’s Lower Flume Trail - Walk in the footsteps of Secwepemc Nation leaders who have cared for the Shuswap for thousands of years, and more recent stewards like famed naturalist, Roderick Haig-Brown, who have championed the protection of one of the planets great natural wonders - site of the famed Adams River Salmon Run. 

Aug 14 and 15: include the self-guided nature walk into the incredible biodiversity of the Salmon Arm Bay jointly hosted by the Salmon Arm Bay Nature Society and the Shuswap Trail Alliance, and then the Salmon Arm Music Crawl combines music, meals, and walks into one crazy package. 

For more information on the Routes and Blues interpretive hikes and to pre-register, visit www.routesandblues.ca. Hikes are easy to moderate and open to all by donation. 

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