The Marble Range extends from Spences Bridge to Jesmond.   The highest peaks are at the northern end and there are a number of hiking trails from the Jesmond Road up to Mt. Bowman, Mad Dog Mountain, Wild Horse Ridge, Mt. Kerr, Lime Ridge, and Porcupine Ridge.   The northern part of the range is characterized by rugged limestone ridges and peaks rising above dry forests.   Not far north of Mt. Bowman, the flat plateau of the Cariboo stretches north.   The Fraser River is only 5 miles from the trailhead for Mt. Bowman, although the river itself is over a ridge and hidden deep in the canyon, out of sight.   Across the other side of the Fraser, the Cayoosh Range is a line of 7000 – 8000 foot peaks.

To get to the Marble Range peaks, drive to Clinton and turn west onto the Kelly Lake Road.   Just past the substation and before Kelly Lake, turn right onto the Jesmond Road.   This road is a good gravel road, although it had more potholes on this last trip.   A forest fire in the valley bottom  has changed the forest and erosion patterns here, but it is still an easy drive.   Along the road are several turns to the trailheads to the peaks.   Just before Mt. Bowman, a dirt road bears east toward the transmission line.   It is a good 2WD road to the clearing, but is rougher after that.   With high clearance, I was able to drive right to the trailhead.  For those with 2WD, just pick a good spot along the tracks under the power lines to pull over and then walk to the trailhead.

The track runs up the clearing and turns into a trail, following the creek up the valley.   The trail is in excellent shape, bearing east and gradually climbing.   At 4.5 km, a junction is reached.   East is the route to Wild Horse Mountain.   Go through the campsite and bear north (left) up into another creek valley.   Follow this narrower track as it climbs alongside the clear limestone-infused creek through forest, then wet meadows.   Columbine, penstemmon, jacob’s ladder, and tiger lilies flank the edge of the route.   As the trail climbs to the top of the pass, it emerges into a dry meadow on a ridge bearing west to the peak.   Wildflowers filled this meadow in early July.   Saxifrage, pussytoes, stonecrop, and cinquefoil all with muted colors adorned the hillside.   Follow the trail to the highest point of the meadow as it veers west toward the mountain.   The track is clearly visible, a scree route up the rocky slopes.   The route finds a way through loose material and rock bands.   Near the top, there are no trees and hikers can just follow the easiest route to the top of the ridge.   The summit is a short ways to the north.

There are wonderful views in all 4 directions.  To the east, Wild Horse Ridge is an open ridge running toward Mt. Kerr.   This is a longer route, best done as a backpack.

The summit of Mt. Bowman is the highest point of a rocky limestone ridge.  To the northwest, the ridge runs to a cairn at a viewpoint looking out to the Chilcotin.

There are a number of limestone caves high on the mountain.   At one, I looked down a vertical drop into the snowy darkness below.   Any cave exploration will need both ropes and ice axes in an effort led by experienced climbers.

The ranges to the west (the Cayoosh and Shulaps) were all snow-capped still.   In contrast, all of the peaks of the Marble Range appear dry and rugged.

The ridges and upper slopes of these mountains invite exploration.   Once all the main peaks have been done as day hikes, some future backpacking will allow more time for exploration.

Some coordinates are provided for those wanting to explore Mt. Bowman.