Miles: .55 miles lower trailhead to upper trailhead, .4 miles to high point, 1.1 RT
Elevation Gain/Highest: 392ft/5968ft
Map: Manning Park & Skagit Valley Park, BC
Favorite Eats After Hike: Pack A Cooler
Find out current conditions and as always, practice Leave No Trace. Pretty please.
My hike:
7/20/2018 While up in Canada in Manning Park for some trail work with the Pacific Crest Trail Association, I had an opportunity to do some short and easy hiking inside the park close to our campground and the resort. Having hiked here on the PCT in 2013 from Oregon, it is enjoyable to return and explore the area further. This was my second time to do so, in 2016 we camped in the park and hiked the Skyline 1 and Windy Joe Lookout trails. The Dry Ridge Trail was one of four I had a chance to wander this year, the others being Beaver Pond Nature Trail and Paintbrush and Heather Trails.
This trailhead is 9 miles up the Blackwell Road directly across from the resort. My advice is to park at the Cascade Lookout parking lot, visit the kiosks there first to learn the names of the peaks on the horizon, then walk up the road a few hundred yards to the lower trailhead for Dry Ridge. You will be able to identify the summits you see while on the trail!
The path runs a little over half mile along the ridge and gives you a bird’s eye view down at the resort, Lightening Lake and surrounding mountains, such as Frosty and Silvertip Mountains. You will be gazing across into the United States, as well, some of the peaks you see, such as Hozemeen, Crater, Logan and Jack Mountains and Mount Winthrop, can be seen from SR 20 (The North Cascades Highway).
The high point of the trail is less than .4 miles in and with almost 4ooft of gain to get there this trail will get your heart pumping, don’t let the “ridge” fool you. You’ll get the views and a workout!
This trail is, also, known for the unique way that plants transition from dry interior to alpine climate. Look for the colorful succulents nestled on the rocky outcroppings.
If this hike leaves you wanting to see more of this area, continue up the road afterwards and visit the Paintbrush and Heather Trails at the end of the road!
Directions: From the Manning Park Resort, cross BC 3 directly and proceed up Blackwall Road (turn left soon after crossing). Follow this for about 9 miles until you come to Cascade Lookout (a large viewpoint parking lot). You can park here and walk up a short distance to the lower trailhead or drive about 2 miles to the upper trailhead. No pass needed.
For more trails near here, check out my Outside The U.S.A page!
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