2025.10.14. Larch at Frosty Mountain in Manning Park

10/14, Tuesday. Took a day off to hike (after seeing the wet forecast for the coming weekend). Googled for a larch hike near Vancouver, and landed on Frosty Mountain. 22Km RT. No one wanted to go with me for such a long hike :) I was warned about the new BC winter tire requirement on Hwy-3.

I drove out shortly after 7am, still chilly. Road construction west of Abbostford created quite some delay. Otherwise at this hour, only westbound is congested. I only reached Lightening Lake day-use parking lot at 10am. It's a large lot, about 10 cars. COLD ~25°F. Frost on grass. The road was dry, not icy.

Cross the footbridge to the north side of the lake. A clear sign indicates a trail on to the treed slope. All in the shade. The ground was frozen hard and slippery. I made a mistake of not bringing spikes, only had a pair of cleats because they are smaller. They have only one strap each, which by nature of a foot, the strap slides towards to the front as you go up, and then slides off. I readjusted the straps maybe 10 times. Eventually had to tie them to the shoe laces, still not the best. Don't buy! The trail starts zigzag up steadily but gently, all in the trees. Occasionally you get a glimps of the Lightening Lakes chain through branches and the Hozameen Mountains beyond (striding across the US-Canadian border).

6km to Frosty Creek Campground. It's actually a side creek that flows to Frosty Creek. Dark (very forested) and cold. There's a shelter. Wood platforms for tent. Quite flat here.

About 15 minutes further, there's a sign about "Monarch of the mountain", which refers to these larch trees not the butterfly. It says that they are 2000 years old. It also warns you not to deviate from the trail. Soon, the trail enters a flattish area full of larches. ~2100m. Snow on the needles. Very pretty. Here, there's a 9km sign.

Then you see Frosty Mountains in front (south). The mountains in other directions are far away. To Windy Joe is a scramble. From there, it's easy to follow the ridge to Frosty East (end of trail, 11Km). More serious scramble to Frosty West. Right now, it's loose snow. Sketchy. Half way up, I decided to turn around. Going down is worse.

At the Frosty Creek Camp, I saw 2 local ladies talking over the map on the post. I asked them about trails in Manning Park and other places in BC. One lady from Chiliwack is especially happy to talk about trails. She recommends Heather Trail in flower season and camp at Kicking Horst camp (need permit), to above Nicomen Lake.

4:50pm, back at parking lot. No more frost on the grass. Drove to Manning Park Lodge before returning to Hwy 3. A revisit to remind me of my last trip (20? years ago).

Drove back to US at Sumas, seems no duty free store, or it's closed. Fill some gas in town before return to Seattle.

2025.10.4-6. Larch Splendor at Star "Village"

Time to see larches turn golden. Taking 3 days due to the long drive to the Sawtooth Wilderness. Ever since I saw Star Lake (2021), I wanted to camp there. Here's my chance, despite of potential snow Saturday evening.

10/4 Saturday. I slept over my alarm, got to my meeting spot an hour late! Sorry. Driving along Hwy 20, stopped at Diablo Lake Overlook for lunch. It's always a beautiful sight, even though the water level is low now, and cloudy today. Less dramatic now, because the snow had mostly disappeared from the peaks.

No rush, 1 gas stop and 1 lunch stop. After almost 5 hours, we arrived at West Fork Buttermilk TH. I was horrified to find 36 cars!

The trail goes through a long strech of burnt area. Practically flat. The burn was old, tons of fireweed now covering the valley floor and slope. The SW (right) side is steep with giant boulders stacked on each other. About 2 miles in, there's a large rock slide area, probably due to the burn. The trail is easy to follow. Saw freshly cut logs - thanks. On Caltopo, it shows a dot-dot unmaintained "Oval Peak Trail". That does NOT exist. Saw a couple of small groups hiking out, including one guy with a saw to clear the trail. Maybe 6-7 cars of people left the trail: still ~29 car-load on the trail, most likely camping at Star Lake.

About 7 miles and 3000' from TH, we reached Fisher Creek Pass (~7500'), in time for sunset. Started to see larches ~6500', and they were thick ~7000'. The last half mile is lovely.

From the pass, the lovely Star Lake meadow is below, many peaks beyond. As we descend the pass, we started to hear people talking, dogs barking, and many tents. It was like a village. It's a large area, by the time we picked a site for the next 2 nights, it was dark. Gee, it got dark quickly. AL went for a brief swim as the temperature dropped. I just wiped myself with towel, and laid my wet towel on a larch to dry. Hung the food on the only green tree nearby. Crawled into my 0F sleeping bag.

The night was bright, no stars. The moon rose early. Tomorrow is full moon.

10/5, Sunday. It snowed overnight and some serious gusts of wind. However, woke up to blue sky, but very cold. My wet towel on the tree was frozen solid. Thank god that my can of beer didn't burst. White ground, but no snow on the needles. It was so cold, that we didn't filter water in the morning. Cooked water, made hot oatmeal for breakfast.

Because of the snow, without any traction device, I decided to climb Star Peak later in the day when it got warmer. In the morning, we did a loop to visit Oval Lakes and Gray Peak - which I visited last time, and really liked.

After leaving the grassy meadow west of Star Lake, it's about a mile going up to the ridge on a clear trail. It's about 7700' on the ridge. Still some snow on the ridge. Going down to the lake basin via a long stretch of larch and huckleberry meadows. No berries but plenty red leaves. Snow on ground. It was lovely.

The lakes themselves are at about 6700', so maybe about 1/3 of the trees are larches. Still quite pretty. It's a bit of trek to get all the way down to the waterfront. Saw one group of 4 hiking out, saw only one tent. Less crowded than Star Lake. The two lakes are fairly close to each other, set against Buttermilk Peak. Had lunch at East Oval Lake.

Before we went back to the ridge, filtered water at Mid Oval. It was warm enough in the sun. Back to the ridge, took the side trail towards West Oval Lake. Didn't go all the way down (~6800'). We were on the north slope of the ridge that connects Gray Peak and Courtney Peak, so plenty of snow still.

Then it's ~1 mile ridge walk, over Gray Peak. It's on the ridge proper. Great view all around. To the west, Tuckaway Lake and Peak. To the south, many peaks, that I have no idea of the names. To the north, could see all 3 Oval Lakes at some point. To the east: Oval Peak, Buttermilk Ridge, Coutney Peak, Star Peak. Gray Peak itself is easy, ~8050'. Excellent views.

Back to the camp ~2:30pm. By then, most campers were gone. Quiet. Sun streaming through golden needles, no longer cold. It was lovely. Here's some random guy sitting by Star Lake.

Ate something, packed food, water, headlamp and my rain jacket. Put on my helmet, and headed to Star Peak ~2:45pm. Went around the small Star Lake to its eastern side, and walked up the larch slope. This part is very pretty. No obvious trail here though. In this photo, the peak in the middle is not Star. But on the way to Star, you can actually summit it from behind.

Above the trees, it's a talus slope with very dark rocks. Since it's usually in the shade, still some snow here. Here the track is obvious, and some frozen footprints. Once reached a saddle (end of the red line in previous photo), it is flat with a cairn. You wouldn't see the cairn before you get here. It's a good mark on the way down.

Then it's a clear and flattish trail for awhile until the boulders. This side is facing south. No snow, until near the summit of Star. The trail goes very close to the ridge, where I popped up for a view down to Star Lake.

The trail disintegrated into the boulders, either I found multiple tracks or none. Pick my own way up towards the obvious objective.

The highest rocks still had snow. But not icy. I found the summit registry, and took out to take photos with, before putting it back into the rocks. Overall, it is easier than I thought, just like what I read about, despite of the snow on ground.

Back to Star Lake shortly after 6pm. Slower than I planned (3 hours RT). The setting sun is making the lake even prettier.

Not so cold tonight. No more dogs. Quiet. Much nicer. Some guy walked to our camp in the dark by mistake.
Full moon. Too bright. I had to wear my beanie over the eyes to block the moonlight.

10/6 Monday. Packed up. We didn't wait until the sunshine reached our camp. Walked by a tent of the same model, which I made a comment. The guy apologized about walking to our tent last night!

At Fish Creek Pass, we stashed our backpacks behind a larch. Took a small pack with water and food, climbed Courtney Peak. Only 0.4 miles, ~800' gain. Some minor scrambling. It was fun. Great view of course. Can see all the 3 Oval Lakes and Star Peak, also Rainier, which I didn't see yesteray.

Picked up our packs, hiked out. Met quite a few backpackers hiking in. Still about a dozen cars at the TH. 2:30pm. We made a photo stop at Washington Pass and again at Diablo Lake (~5pm, not good for photos when the sun is on the western sky). A gas stop in Arlington. It takes more than a tank to do this hike. Back to Seattle not too late. A fabulous golden weekend.

2024.10.12. Stiletto Lookout

10/12, Saturday, 11 of us met at Northgate at 6:30am. 1 person overslept, didn't show up. My driver drives a Tesla, and it was 80% charged. In order to make our way back with certainty, we stopped in a supercharge in Burlington for half an hour to top off her battery.

Driving through Rainy Pass on Hwy-20 is surreal. So many cars parked along the highway half mile out both directions, at least, many of them couldn't fit out of the white edge line. Thankfully, the Bridge Creek TH parking area wasn't overflowing. It was full when we pulled in. But our hike to Stiletto Lookout starts on the south side of the highway. We parked in the pullout by the highway.

Last time, when O.K. and I came here in on July 24th, 2022, the creek crossing was too swifty, and we gave up. Now, it was such an easy crossing. Some hikers in my group brought watershoes. Going south on PCT for 10 minutes, and take the left fork, crossing State Creek. Shortly after, take the right fork (Stiletto Spur trail), crossing Copper Creek. This is also an easy crossing now. It's all slightly going downhill. Again, shortly after, take the left fork. Started gaining elevation, and then zigzag up. Fall color, mostly brown grass, larch across the East Fork McAlester Creek valley, not on our side. Once we were above the tree level (~6000'), started seeing red huckleberry color, no berries.

Finally, at about 6800', we are in larches. Good view towards, yes, hwy-20. Finally, I reached the lookout site. ~4 people in my group were already there. Long broad ridge, easy to spread out. I was starving, past 1pm already. Yes, I ate 2 bars on the way here. Considering my breakfast was at 5:30am, this is late lunch.

After chowing down my sandwich, I scrambled down to follow the ridge to the next bump. Great view looking back. Stiletto Peak looks too daunting to try. A few in my group also came over. I went back to wait. Chatted with an Indian girl and a Polish guy. We stayed here for about an hour. Met a few backpackers. I think I'll come here in the future to camp at Stiletto Lake, and maybe loop back from Copper Pass.

Headed back as we came. Maybe ~3300' gain, a little less than 10 miles RT. Fairly easy and straightforward. My driver dropped me off at my building, since she also lives in downtown.

2024.10.7. Enchantment Peak via Aasgard Pass

I did Enchantment thru-hike in 2018 on a Saturday. The crowd was so bad, that I vowed to never return -- well, not in weeekends. Since then, I visited Enchantments on a Friday via Aasgard Pass (still busy), and via Crystal Lake drainage (not a soul). Monday is better. No crowd.

10/7. Monday. We tried to checkout at ~6:10am, but the front desk was closed. The parking lot at Colchuck TH was only half full, but plenty cars were parked illegally along the road. Filled the registration. Started hiking ~6:50am, light enough not needing head lamp.

We were passed by a few runners. Not crowded. Reached Colchuck Lake before 9:30am. It's in the shade, so no color. We are both a bit out of shape, also I have knee problem, and my partner had stomach issue that day. We were not fast, but making good progress. Took a break overlooking the lake. A few campers here and there.

Getting to the end of the lake, and then hop the boulders to get on to the base of the gully for Aasgard Pass. This took at least half an hour -- would be headache in the dark when I returned. This is the west slope, so in the shade before noon, even though the lake was illuminated more and more as we gained elevation. Took a few breaks. Especially under a small waterfall with icicles. Broke some ice into our water bottles. Note, need to go *right* below this waterfall. Here, we were already above a grove of shining golden larches. Reached Aasgard Pass ~12:40. 7800'. More mountains to the west, blue water blow.

Crossing the pass, a lot of rocks. Now we were officially in the core zone of the Enchantments. First tarn, more of less frozen. My favorite lake is next: Isolation Lake, because there'a path that you can walk between two lakes, and also the permanent ice hanging on the rocks. We took a break and filtered water here. Only a few small larches here. A little too high for them ~7500'.

Walking across the upper basin, passing 2 more ponds, slowly loosing elevation. As we go down along the main trail eastwards, more and more larches, and larger trees. Perfection Lake is in such a splendor, true to its name. I love the larch needles that still have a green tint. Took a food break at its shore. Here, the two of us part our ways. My partner continued the through hike down to Snow Lake TH, 10.5 miles away, 6000' down. I was to go back via Aarsgard Pass, 7.5 miles away, 1000' gain, 4600' down. My goal was 9pm. It's already 3pm.

I still wanted to climb Enchantment Peak (which I visited 3 years ago), which adds another 1000' gain. I'm running short of time. I figured that going down from Aasgard Pass at 6pm should be okay. I thought sunset was at 7pm. The color going up to Prusik Pass is fabulous. Not just the golden larches, a lot of red huckleberry bushes (no berries). Here's the view of Perfection Lake below, and the area west of the pass.

Instead of going to Prusik Pass first to catch the trail, I short cut it, and heading west earlier. I more of less found the trail fairly soon. May have stayed a bit too high (climbed a small false summit unnecessarily, but snapped this photo). Was debating turning around at 4pm. But the summmit was right there. The top rock requires some careful movement. I left my backpack and hiking poles below. Reached the summit at 4:30pm. View is 360° excellent.

Heading down at 4:35pm, saw footprints in the sandy ground going down to a gully. I decided to follow that, which goes above Inspiration Lake, saves me some elevation loss and gain. It was steep, but not too dangerous. Then it's easy cross country (no more visible track), to Lake Olrun area. Good view of Inspiration and Perfection lakes below. Finally I hit the main trail, and started seeing people again since 3pm.

Reached Aarsgard Pass at 6:10pm. 5.5 miles and 4600' loss till TH. I thought I was only a little behind, 3 hours might still be possible. But I was so wrong. Totally under-estimated the time hiking in the dark, especially going through camping areas. Sunset today was actually 6:35pm. I made a repeated (did this last time coming down Aasgard Pass) mistake following a track to the right of a flat meadow. Scrambled down the icy waterfall which we filled water on the way up. It was dangerous, I slipped on the slippery rock, thankfully only a few feet. Filled my water bottle again with icicles here. Going down to Colchuck Lake was not too bad, even though I had to turn on headlamp half way down, and not entirely on trail.

Reached the boulder hopping area ~7:30pm, slower than I expected. However, at night, hopping rocks took longer. Then, many side tracks going to camping areas and day use areas led me stray. The main trail wasn't all that obvious even during daylight. I wasted precious time correcting my track. By the time I was leaving Colchuck Lake, it was almost 9pm. Got to the TH just before 10:50. Hopped into the car without changing my boots, and drove out like a mad person.

Shortly before reaching Snow Lake TH, I saw my partner walking my way. Not sure why. It was already 11:10pm. 2 hours wait would made everyone angry and wary. Changed my boots with sand and small rocks falling out. Ate my sandwich, I was starving. I didn't stop for food hiking out.

Still 2+ hour drive back to town. Thus ended my saga of day climb to Enchantment Peak. Will I do this again, yes, but need to hike faster. Need to turn around at 3:30pm, go down Aasgard Pass by 5pm, so to assure going though the camping area around Colchuck in daylight.