Mount Outram

A steep climb to alpine meadows filled with wildflowers and one of the tallest mountains near Manning Park.

Statistics

Directions

Follow Highway #3 (Hope-Princeton Highway) 26km East of Hope to the West portal of E.C. Manning Provincial Park. Park in the large paved parking lot next to the marmot sign. The trailhead is located at the wooden footbridge near the outhouses.

Details

Located just outside of Manning Park at it's western edge, Mount Outram is one of the tallest peaks in the area. Although the hike to the summit involves a grueling vertical gain of almost two kilometers, the views are well worth it - a 360 panoramic view and alpine meadows filled with fragrant wildflowers await.

Starting at the wooden bridge next to the parking lot, follow the well maintained trail uphill along two switchbacks. Less than 10 minutes from the parking lot, the trail reaches a junction with a closed trail on the left. The closed trail was formerly part of a small loop trail back to the parking lot, but was damaged due to a large washout. In any event, continue to the right and past an interpretive sign to the impressive Engineer's Road. Built as an 'all Canadian' route to the gold rushes of the mid 1800's, the road was ultimately abandoned before being completed. Continue along the impressive road, built into the side of a talus slope.

Not long after the trail re-enters the forest another junction is reached, this time with the Mount Outram trail branching off to the left and the Ghostpass Trail continuing straight along what remains of the old road. From here, the trail up the mountain switchbacks steeply through the dense forest as it gains in elevation. Approximately halfway to the top Seventeen Mile Creek is crossed, it's water flowing year-round. Beyond this point, the forest gradually thins out into impressive, rolling alpine meadows. During late July and early August, the meadows are filled with a multitude of colourful, fragrant wildflowers.

After passing a small rocky viewpoint, the trail swings to the left and past an informal campsite before reaching a relatively flat section of meadow and a small tarn (pond). Many's legs already feel like Jello at this point - it's no wonder the meadows and tarn are a popular lunch and turn around spot! Others, with impressive endurance, are frequently spotted camping in the meadows.

Take a nap, a break, whatever it takes to regain some small bit of energy - the trip to the top is worth it! Beyond the tarn the trail climbs up past a rocky bluff before reaching Outram's massive talus field. Keep an eye out for red paint marking the most direct route over the rocky talus as you climb upwards. Be sure to bring plenty of water - there is absolutely no shade from this point onwards and the heat from the rocks can be unrelenting. Unfortunately, the summit of Outram cannot be seen during much of the climb over the talus field - don't be fooled into thinking you're closer to the top than it actually is!

The view from the summit is incredible - it's possible to see the Interior Plateau, the Fraser Valley, Fraser Canyon, Mount Baker, and all of Manning Park.

Photographs

GPS Waypoints

Trailhead	N49.25531 W121.18914	10U 631769 5457416
Engineer's road	N49.25577 W121.18728	10U 631903 5457470
Ghostpass Lake Trail junction	N49.25262 W121.18093	10U 632374 5457131
Small bridge	N49.26124 W121.17575	10U 632728 5458098
Seventeen Mile Creek crossing	N49.27053 W121.16724	10U 633322 5459146
Start of partial meadows	N49.27388 W121.16416	10U 633537 5459524
Start of open meadows	N49.27452 W121.16291	10U 633626 5459597
Viewpoint	N49.27484 W121.16106	10U 633760 5459636
Camping area	N49.27593 W121.16016	10U 633822 5459759
Tarn	N49.27846 W121.15906	10U 633895 5460042
Start of talus	N49.28281 W121.15966	10U 633840 5460525
Summit	N49.28900 W121.15833	10U 633920 5461215