This hoodoo can be found near kilometre 13 on Red Lake Road west of Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lars Larsen
May 13, 2024 - 6:00 AM
There are many wondrous geological formations to be found in the Thompson-Okanagan region, including hoodoos, balancing rocks and basalt columns.
Some of them require a good hike to view and photograph, while others can be viewed more easily from main roads.
Hoodoos are a special feature on the Kamloops landscape and can be found in several locations in the area. Also called, Goblins, hoodoos are made of sandstone that is eroded by weather over thousands of years, according to Science IQ. The stronger parts of stone remain intact, appearing as tall narrow shapes with a hard rock on the top that protects the softer layers beneath it.
The formations can be seen from Tranquille Road heading west past the airport, but for a closer look adventurers can tackle Cinnamon Ridge Trail. Turn right off of Tranquille Road onto Ord Road and follow the dirt road to the trail head.
A giant phallic shaped hoodoo can be found further west on Red Lake Road across the Tranquille Creek bridge near kilometre 13. It isn’t clear if the oddity has a formal name however locals have several creative names for it.
Hoodoos have also formed along Highway 97 north of Penticton, and they're the only ones in the Okanagan.
This balancing rock is found 1.5 kilometres west of the Six Mile Viewpoint on Highway 1 between Kamloops and Savona.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Isobel Lamarche
The Savona Balancing Rock otherwise known as Coyote Rock is located 1.5 kilometres west of the Six Mile Viewpoint on Highway 1 between Kamloops and Savona. Some area photographers visit the formation regularly in all different seasons and all different times of the day and night to capture unique views of the rock. There is also a collection of hoodoos to see near the balancing rock.
The giant balancing rock, Pillar Rock at Pillar Provincial Park is located 11 kilometres northwest of Falkland on the Falkland-Chase Road. There is a steep trail across from the provincial rest area and it takes about 15 minutes to hike.
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The Aberdeen Columns in the North Okanagan are a truly unique feature that draws outdoor enthusiasts from near and far. The formations are the result of volcanic activity and can be made of basalt or andesite, although the ones in BC are largely basalt. They’re shaped by the physics involved in the cooling of the rock after a lava flow.
Located about an hour and a half from Kelowna, and just under an hour from Vernon, the towering, black basalt columns and pillars have cascading colour that make for amazing photos.
We would love to know where to find more interesting geographical formations, let everyone know your favourite finds in the comments below.
If you get great photos of geological formations, send them to news@infonews.ca.
The Aberdeen Columns are on the Aberdeen Plateau near Vernon.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Britnee Boychuk
The Aberdeen Columns are on the Aberdeen Plateau near Vernon.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Audra Germann
Coyote Rock in Savona is captured at night with a train in the background.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Dennis Kitto
Hoodoo formations are found near Coyote Rock in Savona.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Isobel Lamarche
Kamloops photographer Dennis Kitto took an artistic photo of Coyote Rock in Savona under a starry sky.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Dennis Kitto
Pillar Rock is located on the Chase-Falkland Road.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Pieter DeMooy
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