Miles: 2.9 miles RT
Elevation Gain/Highest: 330ft/6595ft
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:
7/22/2018 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 Paintbrush and Heather Trail Loop was one of a few I had a chance to wander this year. I was able to walk the Dry Ridge Trail along this same road and the Beaver Pond Nature Trail a short distance up BC 3.
I didn’t have time to hike the entire Heather Trail (which looks AMAZING), so I did a shorter loop starting on the Paintbrush Trail, down to the Blackwall Peak lower parking lot to connect with the Heather Trail, up to connect with the Loneman Ridge and then back to the Blackwell Peak upper parking lot for lots of views in less than 3 miles.
When I arrived at the upper parking lot around lunch time, and it was a ZOO! I took what I thought was the last little parking spot at the end of the road and yet 3 more people managed to squeeze into what little space was left. I was sure I would be hiking with a bazillion people and mentally prepared myself as I got out of my car. I could see that most folks were wandering where the Heather trail headed north, so I set off on the Paintbrush Trail clockwise hoping I would avoid a few folks who only wander a few feet from their cars.
It paid off and I only saw 2 other people on the Paintbrush Trail as it meandered up towards a small knob. Western Anemone, Phlox and Indian Paintbrush blanketed the grassy slope and when I looked back I could see Three Brothers off in the distance, a popular backpacking destination.
The trail followed the contour of the knob with Blackwell Peak prominently displayed and slowly took me down to the lower parking lot at .62 miles. Crossing over, there was a sign for the Heather Trail and I continued on. The trail appeared to be more of an old road and I passed a handful of backpackers coming out from their weekend adventures. Still no real crowds…
In about .4 miles the trees opened up and I could see Silverdaisy Mountain off in the distance. There was a shortcut up to the ridge at 1.23 miles in but I decided to stay down where I was and enjoyed the trail all to myself. Ground squirrels flitted in and out from their burrows when I was patient enough to wait.
At about 1.5 miles, Three Brothers made its appearance on the horizon beyond a ridge of rich emerald pines and in a short distance I arrived at the junction with the trail back to the upper parking lot around 1.8 miles into my trek. The Heather Trail continues here towards Buckhorn Camp and Three Brothers but I turned right and climbed a set of stairs that leads up to Loneman Ridge.
From here, the trail made its way back to the upper parking lot on a well worn path on the meadowed ridge and the number of people increased but not to the extent I thought they would. Backpackers trudging up their last few steps back to their cars, dog owners calling out for their four legged friends frolicking in the trees and small children wandering ahead of slow moving grandparents.
There were a few viewpoints along the way with benches perfect for taking in the surrounding landscape but I was content with gazing out as I slowly took it all in. By the time I was back at my car at 2.9 miles, most of the crowds had faded.
Next time I will plan to hike more of the Heather Trail (maybe even backpack in) and have lunch at the lovely picnic tables among the wildflowers next to the parking lot.
Directions: From the Manning Park Resort, cross BC 3 directly and proceed up Blackwall Road (turn left soon after crossing). Follow this for about 16 miles until you come to lower and upper parking lots and the end of the road. There is a privy available.
For more trails near here, check out my Outside The U.S.A page!
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