Hike of the Week: Heather Trail

Hiker Heather enjoys a brisk day on the Heather Trail

Heather Trail

Flowers and panoramic views from the edge of the Cascades




by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

July 28, 2006

Quick Facts
Location: Manning Provincial Park, Cascade Mountains
Land Agency: British Columbia Provincial Parks
Roundtrip: 13.0 miles
Elevation gain: 1050 feet
Access: From Vancouver BC, take the Trans-Canada Highway 90 miles east to Hope. Follow BC-3 (Crows nest Highway) 45 miles east to Manning Lodge. Drive 9 miles north on the paved and gravel road to the trailhead at Blackwell Meadows.
Notes: dogs must be leashed; $3.00 (CDN) parking fee required.

Mention Manning Provincial Park to any seasoned Northwest hiker and one over-whelming theme prevails, flowers. Wildflowers; millions of them-a botanical bastion of blossoming beauties. Manning Park sits at an ecological crossroads where the wet Cascades and Coast Ranges converge with the dry Okanogan Highlands. The result: a plethora of biological diversity.
The Heather Trail to Three Brothers Mountain allows you to experience this diversity on a skyline probe of merging ecosystems. From the 6,000’ trailhead, you’ll alternate between moist fir forests and semi-arid alpine meadows on your way to the rocky roost of the Brothers.
Of course, heather grows in profusion along this trail, as well as scores of other species of vibrant and showy flowers. The trail cuts through a brilliant rainbow carpet of purple lupines, yellow arnicas, and red paintbrush. And at the end of this rainbow, a pot of golden views awaits you on the 7,453’-summit of the First Brother.
The going is long, but the elevation gain short. From Washington’s rugged North Cascades to the broad Merritt Plateau, the views are as extensive and varied as the flora. The Second and Third Brother are easy scrambles but allow plenty of time if you are intent on bagging them. Late July-early August is optimal for flower gazing.