Monthly Archives: September 2016

Frosty Mountain

Manning Park, Non-Buntzen Lake Hikes

 

Ahhh… Back to the mountains for a great early Autumn hike. Mount Frosty is known as a great hike in Manning Provincial Park, but is more well known for the spectacular display of golden larches in the Autumn. These are the only conifers that change colour and loose their needles. Some have been dated at 2000 years old !!  The trailhead starts at the Lightening Lake picnic area and heads up into the mountains.  The first 5 km are a gradual climb and not very steep – just a continual climb.  Then there is a 2 km stretch that is fairly flat with only minor elevation gain. After that, the trail continues to climb. You will start to see the larches just below 2000 m elevation. And if you time it right, like I did, you will get a wonderful display for the rest of your hike to the summit. The trail starts to get rocky about 2200 m elevation. At this point you make your way up to the ridge and then across the ridge to the peak. Be careful here – some rocks are not stable. The views from the ridge and peak are impressive – there are 360º views of the surrounding mountains.  I highly recommend this hike anytime, but especially on a sunny autumn day.

The stats…

Distance: 22 km (return)
Time: 8 hours (lots of photography breaks)
Low point: 1250 m
High point: 2408 m
Elevation gain: 1158 m
Cumulative Elevation gain: 1625 m
Trailhead: 49° 03’ 44” by  120° 49’ 29.5” (Google Map)

The route…

The photos…

Golden larches
Golden larches
Lake and mountain view from trail
Lake and mountain view from trail
Golden larches
Golden larches
Start of climb up to ridge
Start of climb up to ridge
Looking along the ridge
Looking along the ridge
Trail
Trail
View from summit
View from summit
View down ridge from summit
View down ridge from summit
Trail
Trail
View from Summit
View from Summit
Last section to summit
Last section to summit
Caution sign on ridge
Caution sign on ridge
Frosty Creek Cabin
Frosty Creek Cabin
Summit marker
Summit marker
Lightening Lake
Lightening Lake

★★★★★★★★★★★

Before heading out on your hike, make sure you are well prepared. This means, having the TEN ESSENTIALS. It is also important to leave a trip plan (route details and estimated return time) with someone you trust.

Bring your smartphone, fully charged and put it in airplane mode while hiking. I always bring back-up battery packs for extra piece of mind. It is highly recommended that you bring a GPS device; I use my smartphone with a GPS app (Backcountry Navigator). The GPS will work in airplane mode. Learn how to use it before your hike.

For anyone new to hiking, there is a rule to which hikers follow; it is called “Leave No Trace” or LNT. The concept is generally to pack out what you pack in and respect nature, so all future visitors can enjoy what you have enjoyed.

To learn more about LNT, please check out this BLOG by a certified LNT Trainer.

★★★★★★★★★★★

Lake Ann and Lower Curtis Glacier

Mt. Baker, Non-Buntzen Lake Hikes

 

I love the Mt. Baker area and today, I ventured on the Lake Ann trail, which heads close to Mt. Shuksan. Along the way, you pass forests, alpine meadows, streams and views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan. We even saw pikas and marmots today. The trail to Lake Ann is well established and easy to follow. The lake is beautiful and so are the views of Baker and Shuksan. I recommend after reaching the lake to take the trail that leads to the Lower Curtis Glacier. For the most part the trail is in good shape – there are some scrambling sections. There came a point at which I stopped, but two others in my group scrambled down to the glacier and actually touched it ! I was enjoying the scenery and chasing a marmot (not really). The trail that leads to the glacier crosses into the North Cascades National Park.

NOTE – You will need a Northwest Forest Pass (one per car), which can be purchased in person at the Glacier Public Service Center at 10091 Mt. Baker Highway,Glacier, WA (Link to Map)

Or you can buy an epass in advance online at the Discover Your Northwest website

Border crossing tips: Bring passport, Nexus or enhanced ID !!; no fruit, no veges, no meat (this isn’t a complete list !); trailmix is ok. There is an IGA just across the border if you want to get some fruit or a sandwich for your hike.

A great resource for current conditions for this hike is the WTA website.
Check it OUT !!!

The parking lot / trailhead are just 1.5  km / 1 mile before Artist Point (link below).

The stats to end of trail to Curtis Glacier…

Distance: 18 km (linear return)
Time: 7 hours
Low point: 1196 m
High point: 1620 m
Elevation gain: 424 m
Cumulative Elevation gain: 1060 m
Trailhead: 48° 50’ 59.5” by 121° 41’ 11” (Google Map)

The route…

The Photos…

Mt. Shuksan
Mt. Shuksan
Marmot
Marmot
Lower Curtis Glacier detail
Lower Curtis Glacier detail
Lake Ann
Lake Ann
Lake Ann
Lake Ann
*Photo by Laura Forbes
Lower Curtis Glacier *Photo by Laura Forbes
Lake Ann and Mt. Baker
Lake Ann and Mt. Baker
Lower Curtis Glacier
Lower Curtis Glacier
Blueberries and Mt. Baker
Blueberries and Mt. Baker
Hiking through meadow
Hiking through meadow
Mountain Valley
Mountain Valley
Pika
Pika
Stream
Stream
Trail
Trail
Trail
Trail
Trail and Mt. Baker
Trail and Mt. Baker
Crossing boulder field
Crossing boulder field
Crossing small boulder field
Crossing small boulder field
Trail to Lower Curtis Glacier
Trail to Lower Curtis Glacier

Link to all Lake Ann / Curtis Glacier Photos photos on Flickr

★★★★★★★★★★★

Before heading out on your hike, make sure you are well prepared. This means, having the TEN ESSENTIALS. It is also important to leave a trip plan (route details and estimated return time) with someone you trust.

Bring your smartphone, fully charged and put it in airplane mode while hiking. I always bring back-up battery packs for extra piece of mind. It is highly recommended that you bring a GPS device; I use my smartphone with a GPS app (Backcountry Navigator). The GPS will work in airplane mode. Learn how to use it before your hike.

For anyone new to hiking, there is a rule to which hikers follow; it is called “Leave No Trace” or LNT. The concept is generally to pack out what you pack in and respect nature, so all future visitors can enjoy what you have enjoyed.

To learn more about LNT, please check out this BLOG by a certified LNT Trainer.

★★★★★★★★★★★

Pender Hill

Non-Buntzen Lake Hikes, Other

 

Pender Hill is on the Sunshine Coast of BC. The trail is maintained by the Sunshine Coast Regional District. This hike is fairly short compared to many in this blog, but, you still get fantastic views and it is well worth it. If you want more of a workout for your day, combine this hike and Mt. Daniel together.  The Mt. Daniel trailhead is only 6km from the Pender Hill trailhead.

To get to Pender Hill from Vancouver, you need to take the 1-hour BC Ferry trip from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Langdale. From Langdale, there is a 73 km trip to the trailhead on Coastview Drive.

The stats:

Distance: 2 km (linear return)
Time: 1-2 hours
Low point: 57 m
High point: 235 m
Elevation gain: 178 m
Trailhead: 49° 38’ 32.8” by 124° 03’ 42” (Google Map)

The route…

The Photos…

View from Pender Hill
View from Pender Hill
View from Pender Hill
View from Pender Hill
View from Pender Hill
View from Pender Hill
Bench at top
Bench at top
Dead Tree
Dead Tree
Little bridge
Little bridge
Broken rock
Broken rock
Trail
Trail
Trail
Trail
Trailhead sign
Trailhead sign

If you have time, stop in Gibsons; it’s a quant little town and stop by Molly’s Reach (of Beachcombers’ fame) for fish and chips !

Gibsons Harbour
Gibsons Harbour
Gibsons Wharf
Gibsons Wharf
Molly's Reach, Gibsons
Molly’s Reach, Gibsons

★★★★★★★★★★★

Before heading out on your hike, make sure you are well prepared. This means, having the TEN ESSENTIALS. It is also important to leave a trip plan (route details and estimated return time) with someone you trust.

Bring your smartphone, fully charged and put it in airplane mode while hiking. I always bring back-up battery packs for extra piece of mind. It is highly recommended that you bring a GPS device; I use my smartphone with a GPS app (Backcountry Navigator). The GPS will work in airplane mode. Learn how to use it before your hike.

For anyone new to hiking, there is a rule to which hikers follow; it is called “Leave No Trace” or LNT. The concept is generally to pack out what you pack in and respect nature, so all future visitors can enjoy what you have enjoyed.

To learn more about LNT, please check out this BLOG by a certified LNT Trainer.

★★★★★★★★★★★

Mt. Daniel

Non-Buntzen Lake Hikes, Other

 

Mt. Daniel is on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. After the 400m elevation gain hike to the summit, you are treated with stunning views of Pender Harbour and the surrounding hills and mountains. The hike traverses though a forest canopy all of way to the top, so it’s great on a hot day.

After this hike, I highly suggest you do another nearby hike, at Pender Hill. The Pender Hill trailhead is only 6km from Mt. Daniel trailhead.

To get to Mt. Daniel from Vancouver, you need to take the 1-hour BC Ferry trip from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Langdale. From Langdale, there is a 67 km trip to the trailhead on Garden Bay Road.

The stats:

Distance: 4.8 km (linear return)
Time: 2-4 hours
Low point: 77 m
High point: 435 m
Elevation gain: 358 m
Trailhead: 49° 38’ 51.6” by 124° 00’ 15.7” (Google Map)

The route…

The Photos…

View from Mt. Daniel
View from Mt. Daniel
Arbutus Tree
Arbutus Tree
Arbutus Tree Bark
Arbutus Tree Bark
Arbutus Tree Berries
Arbutus Tree Berries
Ferns
Ferns
Trail
Trail
Trail
Trail
Logging relic
Logging relic
Visitor
Visitor
Sign at trailhead
Sign at trailhead

If you have time, stop in Gibsons; it’s a quant little town and stop by Molly’s Reach (of Beachcombers’ fame) for fish and chips !

Gibsons Harbour
Gibsons Harbour
Gibsons Wharf
Gibsons Wharf
Molly's Reach, Gibsons
Molly’s Reach, Gibsons

★★★★★★★★★★★

Before heading out on your hike, make sure you are well prepared. This means, having the TEN ESSENTIALS. It is also important to leave a trip plan (route details and estimated return time) with someone you trust.

Bring your smartphone, fully charged and put it in airplane mode while hiking. I always bring back-up battery packs for extra piece of mind. It is highly recommended that you bring a GPS device; I use my smartphone with a GPS app (Backcountry Navigator). The GPS will work in airplane mode. Learn how to use it before your hike.

For anyone new to hiking, there is a rule to which hikers follow; it is called “Leave No Trace” or LNT. The concept is generally to pack out what you pack in and respect nature, so all future visitors can enjoy what you have enjoyed.

To learn more about LNT, please check out this BLOG by a certified LNT Trainer.

★★★★★★★★★★★