This is definitely the best hike I did in Manning park so far. It starts from the Strawberry Flats parking lot from where the trail winds up to the Despair Pass for about 6 km. The trail is very well maintained, easy to follow and never too steep. As soon as you reach the top of the ridge the views get really spectacular. You can see the some of the chain lakes and many of the high and rugged peaks and glaciers of the North Cascades park. It runs for another 4km along the ridge past Snow Camp Mountain to Lone Goat Mountain. I hit snow after about 5 km and starting from there the trail had several long icy sections that didn't make the way down easier. Temperatures were well below zero for most of the day.
Took me 7 hours return including a 20 minute break at Lone Goat Mountain.
Share it on Facebook