This day was planned about 3 weeks advance, to introduce Mt. Frosty and the Golden Larches to Ricky Allan and Rick Deloof. Turns out we were about a week late after peak viewing conditions fr the Golden Larches. Still a lot of trees had their needles; .. it was an adventure .
Started at the lake, 9:15 am.. with mostly dry conditoins, as we headed up there was the odd sunshine peaking through. Made it to the cabin, where those aggressive whiskey jacks tried to steel Rick's trail mix. Beyond that 15 - 20 minutes later the golden larches start, hiked up through and continued up. Had no certain expectations of making the summit; with safety in mind, I encouraged Rick and Ricky to go as far a they liked. Turns out we made it to the summit. Very chilly wind; rock wall pit up there give partial shelter to have some lunch. Snow began to fall, and wind picked up causing snow to drift. Tracks were starting to cover up, so we headed down. People were still heading on their way up.
Down by the cabin, we stopped for snacks. Two small groups of people planned to overnight; ended up pitching their tents within the cabin. A little cozy to be sure.
Snow became thick and heavy; had to clear snow off my camera pack everytime I wanted to take a photo. few good handfulls swept off every 10 - 15 minutes.
By the time we descending to Lightning Lake, snow level had dropped to make the grounds white. Still was raining by Manning Park Lodge.
This turned out to be a 9 hour hike including lunch break at summit, two stops at the cabin, and one good one in the meadows. 1160 meters elevation gain from Lake to summit. estimate 20 km return.....
Route Map:
LIGHTNING LAKE
HEADING UP TRAIL, INITIALLY SNOW FREE - TO CAMP FROSTY CABIN, 7 Km from trailhead
lots of carved and painted markings from prior visitors.
INTO THE MEADOWS....
BEYOND THE MEADOWS, MASSIVE FROSTY RIDGE, LOTS OF ROCK RUBBLE... Slippery path (packed) up.
TRAIL MAKER......Junction of two trails; other comes up from WINDY JOE.
HEADING BACK DOWN, into the meadows, lots of snow falling.
LIGHTNING LAKE from trail...