Windy Joe Hiking Trail, Manning Park, B.C.

Location: Manning Park
Length: 18Km return, allow 6 hours
Elevation at summit: 1825m
Elevation gain: 525m
Difficulty: Moderate, last 3 Km steady uphill on a Forest Service Road

This somewhat pleasant hike can be done in spring and summer months where one can enjoy a brief run through sub-alpine meadows (mid-July best for wildflowers). An autumn hike will yield beautiful fall colours on a limited supply of deciduous trees (sub-alpine fir most prominent). Unfortunately one will also be awakened by the deadly toll of the pine beetle which has left almost an entire pine forest a rusty red colour.

Snowshoeing is a great winter sport in Manning Park and the Windy Joe hike is a favorite, although it can get steep at times. Snowshoe rentals are available at the Lodge.

Windy Joe is named after a trapper named Joe Hilton who claimed that it was so windy that the top was virtually snow-free.

There are two trailheads to choose from. The first one is about a Km past the Lodge on Highway 3. This is also the northern trailhead for the Pacific Crest Trail – a 2,650 mile hike through 3 western states terminating in Mexico. Head southwest on this well-marked trail where it will join the Similkameen Trail.

The second trailhead is approximately 1 Km south of Manning Park Lodge on the Gibson Pass road. The trail is on the left and is noticeable by a parking lot also on the left hand side of the road. This is the Similkameen Trail which heads in a south-easterly direction along the Similkameen River. Follow this for 2Km until it joins the PCT trail. Here you will find a trail direction sign which points south towards Windy Joe, Mt. Frosty, and the Pacific Crest Trail or north to the PCT Trailhead.

Heading south from here the trail begins it’s climb along an old fire access road. At 5.5Km you cross a second creek and find another trail direction sign. This is a major intersection in the trail where one can turn right for Mt. Frosty and the PCT or left for Windy Joe.

Taking the left fork, you continue climbing the winding road until the summit is reached at 8 Km. Here you will find an old fire lookout tower which has been kept up and provides a decent shelter, interpretive displays and a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. The lookout was abandoned in 1965.

How To Get There

Take Highway 1 from Chilliwack and head east towards Hope. As you approach Hope you will be given three options – Highway 1 which continues through Hope and up the Fraser Canyon Highway to Cache Creek. Options 2 and 3 are combined as they lead you to Highway 5 which is the Coquihalla Highway to Merritt, and Highway 3 which is the Southern Provincial Highway to Manning Park and beyond.

Taking the second option and staying on the main freeway past the two Hope exits, you are now heading for the Highway 5 and 3. Move into the far right-hand lane which will eventually branch off towards Highway 3.

Take Highway 3 for approximately 45 Km. This portion of the journey is very scenic and passes alongside the Skagit & Similkameen rivers. The road takes a few narrow turns so please obey the posted speed limits, especially on tight corners.

As you’re approaching Allison Pass summit (1342m), the highway becomes 4 lanes. From the summit Manning Park Lodge will come into view about 5Km down the hill on your right hand side. Washrooms, a small store and restaurant are available and open 12 months of the year. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available across the parking lot at the Lodge.

From here, you have two options – turn south on the Gibson Pass Road and head towards Lightning Lake, or get back on the highway and head east for another kilometer.

 

See event description on calendar page for pre-departure meeting place for when the club is doing this hike next.

---

Hiker Comments

Submit your comments about this hike