Manning Park
 

Frosty Mountain

Frosty 13 Frosty Mtn Peak.jpg (127975 bytes)

Frosty Mountain is the highest peak in Manning Park, and is one I only recently learned of. It is not visible from  highway #3 and this might be a reason it is not more popular, though there was good traffic on the trail mid-July when we climbed it. This view is from about 2/3 of the way up the ridge to the summit, and past the main campsite. 

 

About 45 minutes past the main camp at Frosty Creek, or just over 2 hours on the trail, you enter a Larch Grove on the ridge. They're unique in that they grow in altitudes higher than most pine trees. In fact, they are part deciduous, part coniferous, and shed their needles in autumn.

Frosty 12 Larch Grove.jpg (196043 bytes)

 

Frosty 02 Camp.jpg (72191 bytes) After 2 hours and 45 minutes, we reached the '2nd campsite', on the advice of a Club Tread member who recommended it over the first. That first camp sits deeper in the forest midway along the ridge. Here, at the base of the summit, just below the melting snow, your advantage is a great view but it comes with windier conditions. A concern for some might be the altitude of this camp, at 2200m, because the lower oxygen levels can cause fatigue & even nausea. This is the highest I've camped during an overnight hike.

 

Another plus of the higher camp is the proximity to the summit- just 30 minutes away.   Here is the final section to the summit. It is also the junction of the Windy Joe Trail, an alternate and longer route to Frosty Mountain. Taking the main route as we did, the return trip is 22 kms. The sign reads "Peak Trail. Be Careful." This section is not dangerous at all in the summer, but I can see it being an issue when covered in snow.

Frosty 04 peak trail.jpg (77593 bytes)

 

Frosty 03 view south.jpg (172847 bytes) Looking South-East Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. There was a trail visible along the left side of the valley and I believe it is Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. Photo taken from the same place as the one above.

 

Looking South, the majestic Mount Hozomeen with it's jagged peaks, and in the lower portion of the photo, a par 43 golf course (just kidding). A persistent cloud decided to park itself over the summit but from what I could see, this is a spectacular mass.

Frosty 09 Mt Hozomeen.jpg (142490 bytes)

 

Frosty 07 Summit.jpg (74065 bytes)

The summit of Frosty Mountain, elevation 2408 meters, with an elevation gain of 1150m. It took 4:15 going up, and surprising to me, just 2:20 coming down. All photos on this page taken July 15-16, 2003 with my EOS 7e 28-90mm, 28-90mm lens shooting Fuji Reala 100 ISO print film.

Home