The “trail” to the Tappen Bluffs viewpoint is really a backroad, except for the last steep section.   A high clearance vehicle can drive for 3.5+ km and then park at a suitable spot for a short hike, but we chose to hike the whole way instead.   The up-and-back route (including some exploration on top) was 9.4 km.   The start is just off the Skimikin Lake Road before the Skimikin Nursery.   The road is named as the Dondaneau FSR.   We parked at the bottom before a junction in the road.   The hike (or drive) goes to the left.

The hike is a walk along a double track through the forest with only occasional views.   We were pleased to see many wildflowers along the way on the is June hike.

At the top is a wide view over the Tappen area with the Salmon Arm of Shuswap Lake.

With a little hike out to another rocky bluff we were treated to views over to White Lake.   The snow-mantled peaks beyond are in the Anstey Range of the Monashee Mountains.

This moderate hike climbs 345 m (1128 ft) and takes about 2.5 hours.

We hope to return to snowshoe this route in the winter.