EASIER TRAILS IN MANNING PARK
North and South Gibson - length 7.6 km return; suggested time 1.5 hours
This trail starts at Strawberry Flats, 7.8 km off of Hwy. 3. The trail parallels both sides of the road between
Strawberry Flats and the Lightning Lake campground. The elevation change is 125 meters.
Strawberry Flats/Three Falls - length 9 km; suggested time 3 hours return
This relatively flat trail begins at Strawberry Flats, 7.8 km off of Hwy 3. The first 1.8 km portion of the trail,
which is an old fire-access road, leads through an area known as Strawberry Flats. Its name comes from
the abundance of wild strawberries that can be picked in late July. There is a fantastic diversity of floral
species in this very small area. The peak flower bloom is usually in mid July. Continuing along, the trail
follows through meadows, forest and talus slopes. The Strawberry Flats trail ends at the down hill ski area
and the Three Falls trail continues on to Shadow Falls, at 3.1 km, Nepopekum Falls, at 3.2 km, and the
descent to Derek Falls, at 4.5 km. This is the end of the trail and consists of a large area of rocks that are
perfect for taking a rest or having a bite to eat. One must return the same way they came.
Twenty Minutes Lake Trail - length 660 m; suggested time 20 minutes
The trail begins at the parking lot just past the turn off to the Lightning Lake Day Use area. Although this
walk takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, it’s name originated because it once took twenty
minutes to reach the lake by foot from the old park center. This lake contains an abundant variety of
aquatic life.
Rein Orchid - length 500 m, suggested time 15 minutes.
The trail begins 1.1 km along the road leading to the Lightning Lake Campground. View the orchids and
other bog flora June through July. The best time to see the White Rein Orchid is in July. The trail passes
through a mature spruce forest and alongside some beaver formed ponds.
Canyon Nature Trail - length 2 km; suggested time 1 - 1.5 hour; this loop trail has two starting points.
The trail begins 1 km along the road leading to the Lightning Lake Campground. Just beyond the road
bridge that crosses the Similkameen River the trail is seen on the right, a parking lot is located on the left.
One can also commence the trail from the Coldspring Campground. This fairly easy trail with some hills
and a slight elevation change takes you through a canyon that follows both sides of the Similkameen
River. Interesting plant life and geological formations are seen along the way.
Beaver Pond Trail - length 500 m; suggested time 15 minutes.
Trail begins on Highway 3, 1.5 km east of Manning Park Lodge. This easy, level walk is an excellent area
for bird watching in May and June. Although there has not been any beaver spotted in this area for
several years the remains of an old beaver lodge are still visible. This pond is a different environment
from the surrounding forest, one created by the damming of a spring by beavers years ago. The rising
water drowned trees and shrubs but created an ideal environment for water loving plants and creatures.
As you walk along the path take time for an overview of the pond.
Rhododendron Flats - length 0.5km
Located on Hwy 3, approximately 9 km east of the west portal. This trails winds through vegetation
decidedly coastal. The trail’s principal attraction is the rare and lovely shrub, the Red Rhododendron,
which blooms in great profusion in mid June. Even without their flowers the shrubs are handsome with
their varied and interesting shapes and great whorls of big, shiny, evergreen leaves.
Sumallo Grove Interpretive Trail - length 700 m; suggested time 25 minutes; wheelchair accessible
The trail begins at Sumallo Grove (10 km east of the west entrance to the park). View magnificent stands
of Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir as well as Spring Wood Fern, Sword Fern, Mosses, Shrew Moles,
Sitka Spruce, Devil's Cub, Goat's Beard, Vine Maple, Sapsuckers, Black Cottonwood, Red Alder,
Western Hemlock, Foam Flower, Wild Ginger, and Queen's Cup. Along the road way an area is visible
where four hundred year old cedars worth $10,000 each were cut down and stolen during the winter of
1996/97
Engineers Loop - this 15 minute trail starts in the parking lot at the west entrance to the park.
Take a step into a part of British Columbia's past. This short walk will lead to the Engineers Road built in
1861 to take miners to the gold rush of Rock Creek and the Kootenays. The impressive rock walls are the
foundation of a route that saw hundreds of men trudge the distance from Hope to the Similkameen with
pack horses laden with supplies.
From 1857-1863 the Royal Engineers helped to lay the foundation of the roads, survey the land, plan the
tour, draw up the maps and even settle the dispute of the new colony of BC. When their tour of duty in BC
ended most quit the army and settled here. One of their tasks was to survey a route to the gold fields at
Rock Creek. Miners were flooding across the border with supplies, mining the gold and then exporting it
back to the US. All this without paying import taxes or duty on the gold. It became obvious that if
sovereignty was to be maintained a "good mule road from Hope to Similkameen" would have to be built.
Edgar Dewdney of Hope was the low bidder at 76 pounds sterling per mule. In 1861 portions of the
Dewdney Trail were widened and upgraded to a wagon road by the Royal Engineers.
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/ecmanning/walkhike.html#walkhike