The Larch Meadows; Frosty Mountain
Manning Park
Trail Key: M~2~TR~SW~H~PT
Length: 16 Km’s return
Elevation: 800 meters
Pit Toilets: Yes-beginning/camp
The best time to see the Larch Meadows is in fall when these trees turn a golden colour before their needles fall off. Timing is everything! These trees are not very tall and quite skinny with an almost black trunk. They are over 2000 years old and found at 2000 feet in certain areas of Manning Park and the Rockie Mountains. Each season is different.
Park at Lightning Lakes, walk past the pit toilets and cross the dam bridge. You will see the trail to Mt. Frosty right away. It is a gentle constant climb as you
zig-zag and switchback your way for the first 2 km. There are a few glimpses of Lightning Lakes down below. For the next 2 Km's the trail is on a 45 degree angle, is skinny at times and one side is wide open. Poles could be handy if you're a Scaredy Cat.
Once at the 4 km's mark it becomes quite flat through the Wilderness Camp. There's a pit toilet at the camp and a few areas to rest. Have lunch or a snack and the Whiskey Jacks will gladly share your lunch. After the camp it's about 10 minutes to the Frosty Mountain sign post and its here as your turn the corner and you'll be treated with your very first Golden Larch. They just keep coming. Keep walking through the meadows to the 8 km's mark. On your right side there are valley views and Frosty inviting you for a summit. It's only 2 km's more to the top. The wind whistled, rocks tumbled down the valley and the Larches were magical. This hike is best done on a snow, frost free & blue sky day. Timing is everything but if you miss The Larches there's always next year.
Happy & safe trails!
Manning Park
Trail Key: M~2~TR~SW~H~PT
Length: 16 Km’s return
Elevation: 800 meters
Pit Toilets: Yes-beginning/camp
The best time to see the Larch Meadows is in fall when these trees turn a golden colour before their needles fall off. Timing is everything! These trees are not very tall and quite skinny with an almost black trunk. They are over 2000 years old and found at 2000 feet in certain areas of Manning Park and the Rockie Mountains. Each season is different.
Park at Lightning Lakes, walk past the pit toilets and cross the dam bridge. You will see the trail to Mt. Frosty right away. It is a gentle constant climb as you
zig-zag and switchback your way for the first 2 km. There are a few glimpses of Lightning Lakes down below. For the next 2 Km's the trail is on a 45 degree angle, is skinny at times and one side is wide open. Poles could be handy if you're a Scaredy Cat.
Once at the 4 km's mark it becomes quite flat through the Wilderness Camp. There's a pit toilet at the camp and a few areas to rest. Have lunch or a snack and the Whiskey Jacks will gladly share your lunch. After the camp it's about 10 minutes to the Frosty Mountain sign post and its here as your turn the corner and you'll be treated with your very first Golden Larch. They just keep coming. Keep walking through the meadows to the 8 km's mark. On your right side there are valley views and Frosty inviting you for a summit. It's only 2 km's more to the top. The wind whistled, rocks tumbled down the valley and the Larches were magical. This hike is best done on a snow, frost free & blue sky day. Timing is everything but if you miss The Larches there's always next year.
Happy & safe trails!
