Trip Date: March 18, 2012
WSTC SPRING SKI OUTING: MANNING PARK RESORT
Windy Joe Lookout Ski Tour
Similkameen River
Windy Joe Lookout
Trip Report Summary
Region: Canadian Cascades (British Columbia)
Sub-Region: North Skagit Mountains
Area: Manning Provincial Park
Starting & Ending Point: Muddy Beaver Trailhead at Manning Park Resort (Elev. 3900 feet)
Way Points: Similkameen River Vehicle Bridge & Little Muddy Creek crossing & Similkameen River Trail / Windy Joe Trail junction & Frosty Mountain Trail / Windy Joe Trail junction & Windy Joe Lookout (ski tour)
High Point: Windy Joe Lookout (Elev. 5989 feet)
Approximate Stats: 10.8 miles traveled; 2300 feet gained & lost; 3.7 hours up; 1.5 hours down.
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Full Trip Report
While spending an extended weekend at Manning Park Resort with Lynn Tucker and the Washington Ski Touring Club, Eileen and I did a backcountry ski tour up to Windy Joe Lookout. This is a very popular year-round destination for all manner of hikers, skiers, and snowshoers in Manning Provincial Park. The fire lookout and associated mountain are named for Joe Hilton, a long-time park employee and trail builder.
We started at the “Muddy Beaver” Trailhead within the resort and followed a groomed ski trail down to the Similkameen River and then upstream ½ mile to a vehicle bridge on Gibson Pass Road. We crossed the river and skied back down the other side for 1¼ miles until encountering an obvious junction. At this point, the Similkameen River Trail goes downhill to the left and the Windy Joe / Frosty Mountain / Pacific Crest Trail goes uphill to the right.
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We took the right fork and skinned up the well-traveled trail for 2 miles more. Upon reaching a second junction, where the Frosty Mountain / Pacific Crest Trail continues straight ahead, we turned left on the Windy Joe Trail. After another 1½ miles, we arrived at the lookout cabin (3.7 hours + 5.4 miles + 2200 feet from TH). This has been a big year for snow in the Cascades, and the lookout cabin’s roof was bearing an astonishing amount of snow!
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It was a wonderfully sunny day, so we didn’t bother trying to gain entrance to the cabin. Eating lunch outside gave us an opportunity to enjoy the view, which was dominated by Castle Peak and Mt. Winthrop to the south.
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Our descent route followed the same trails back to Manning Park Resort. We were initially a bit apprehensive about skiing down the deep, narrow trough that had been beaten into the snow, but the powder snow alongside the trough was so thick and fluffy, we had no problem controlling our speed. The entire descent was pure delight, and we were back at the trailhead by mid-afternoon (1.5 hours + 5.4 miles + 100 feet from lookout).
Route Map & Profile
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Photo Gallery
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