Frosty Mountain Loop Backpacking Trail

Difficulty
This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
Hard
Duration
This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
2d
Distance
This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
27.0 km
Elevation
This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
1,644 m
User Ratings
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Directions to Trailhead

The Frosty Mountain Loop Backpacking Trail is a 27.0 km loop through E.C. Manning Provincial Park that takes hikers on a scenic uphill climb to the summit of Frosty Mountain. From the highest point in the park, you will be able to experience sweeping views that reach out across both sides of the Canada-United States border. Hikers will then camp the night at Frosty Creek Camp before continuing the journey through beautiful forests and alpine meadows on the return leg of the trek.

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Route Description for Frosty Mountain Loop Backpacking Trail

The Frosty Mountain Loop Backpacking Trail is a challenging route that will take hikers through picturesque forests and scenic alpine meadows on the way to summit the highest point in E.C. Manning Provincial Park, Frosty Mountain. From here, you will be able to experience the natural beauty of the park, with panoramic views that stretch north across British Columbia and south into the United States. Depending on the time of year, hikers will also be able to see alpine wildflowers in full bloom or the immense frames of the golden larches that populate the area. This is definitely one of the best trails that can be found within the park.

Although this challenging and technical 27.0 km trail could be completed in a single day by fit, experienced hikers, it is best tackled as a two-day journey in order to really appreciate the beauty of the trail. In this format, it makes the most sense to set out from the parking area at Lightning Lake on an uphill journey to the Frosty Creek Camp. Here, hikers can set up camp and continue on to summit Frosty Mountain before returning to spend the night. Fully rested from the previous day’s activity, you can then set out to complete the remainder of the loop as it skirts by Windy Joe Mountain to return to the parking area at Lightning Lake. The Frosty Mountain Loop Backpacking Trail may be physically demanding and technical, but the views and overall experience are truly worth the effort.

Getting to the Frosty Mountain Loop Backpacking Trail Trailhead

To get to the parking area for the Frosty Mountain Loop from Hope, make your way east on BC-3 E and turn right after 60.0 km onto Gibson Pass Road. Follow this for 2.9 km, where you will make a slight left at the fork along the road. From here, you will arrive at the parking area after 700 m.

Route Information

  • When to do

    July-October

  • Backcountry Campsites

    Frosty Creek Camp

  • Pets allowed

    Yes

  • Family friendly

    No

  • Route Signage

    Average

  • Crowd Levels

    Moderate

  • Route Type

    Circuit

Frosty Mountain Loop Backpacking Trail Elevation Graph

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