Trip Date: March 1, 2023
WSTC WINTER SKI & SNOWSHOE OUTING: MANNING PARK RESORT
Windy Joe Lookout Snowshoe Hike
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 (snowshoe hike)
High Point: Windy Joe Lookout (Elev. 5989 feet)
Approximate Stats: 10.8 miles traveled; 2300 feet gained & lost; 4.3 hours up; 2.5 hours down.
Related Posts
Windy Joe Lookout Ski Tour – March 18, 2012
Monument 83 Lookout Ski Tour – March 17, 2018
Full Trip Report
During our winter outing at Manning Provincial Park with Kay Ishii and the Washington Ski Touring Club, Eileen, Yoko, and I took a snowshoe hike up to Windy Joe Lookout. This popular year-round destination is located closely southeast of Manning Park Resort and is named after Joe Hilton, a presumably garrulous fellow who worked in the park for many years.
We started at the “Muddy Beaver” Trailhead within the resort and walked down a groomed ski trail to the Similkameen River, then we followed a winding snowshoe track upstream for ½ mile to a vehicle bridge on Gibson Pass Road. The morning was pleasantly sunny, but snow flurries were in the afternoon forecast.
After crossing the river, we headed back downstream on the Similkameen River Trail for 1¼ miles to a well-marked junction. Here, we veered to the right on the Windy Joe / Frosty Mountain / Pacific Crest Trail, which makes a gradual climb through dense forest. The trail was easy to follow, having been thoroughly tracked out by previous snowshoers, booters, and skiers.
In another 2 miles, we reached a higher junction where the Frosty Mountain / Pacific Crest Trail continues straight ahead and the Windy Joe Trail switches back to the left. Staying on the latter trail, we ascended steeper forest slopes on the western flank of Windy Joe Mountain.
A final 1½ miles of switchbacks brought us to Windy Joe Lookout in early afternoon (4.3 hours + 5.4 miles + 2200 feet from TH). The lookout cabin is a nicely maintained hip-roof structure topped by a large cupola. It sits in a clearing on the northwestern shoulder of Windy Joe Mountain, about 50 feet below the wooded summit. Given our deteriorating weather, we were delighted to find the door unlocked.
The cabin interior has two sitting benches and an informational placard, explaining that the structure was built in 1950. Upstairs, the cupola still has an operational fire-finder in place, along with annotated photographs that form a complete 360-degree panorama.
For our descent, Eileen and Yoko elected to stow their snowshoes and simply boot down the trail, whereas I chose to wear my snowshoes for extra traction. Both approaches worked well, and we were back at the trailhead by 5:00pm (2.5 hours + 5.4 miles + 100 feet from lookout).
Route Map & Profile
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Photo Gallery
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