Lightning Lake Day Use Area – Frosty Creek Camp loop from Lightning Lake Beach

Hiking trails & Routes

Area H (Manning Park/Tulameen/Siwash)

Lightning Lake Day Use Area – Frosty Creek Camp loop from Lightning Lake Beach

Hard

4.8

(5)

150

hikers

Lightning Lake Day Use Area – Frosty Creek Camp loop from Lightning Lake Beach

08:52

21.0km

1,090m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 22, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

E.C. Manning Provincial Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

20 m

Lightning Lake Day Use Area

Highlight • Lake

The unusual thing about the lake is that it drains off in two directions, Flash Lake in the south and Similkameen River in the north.
Swimming is possible, there is a boat rental and many hiking trails.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.39 km

View of Lightning Lake from E.C. Manning Provincial Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

3.84 km

View of Lightning Lake

Highlight • Viewpoint

If you descent from Frosty Mountain, this is the first glimpse you get on the beautiful turquoise Lightning Lake deep in the valley and Snow Camp Mountain in the distance to your left.

Tip by

6.95 km

Frosty Creek Camp

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Frosty Creek Camp is a nice stop before you climb to the summit of Mount Frosty. There is room for three tents, an outhouse, and a wind shelter for inclement weather. If you want to camp here, you need a camping permit from BC Parks, which costs 5 Dollar per night per person. BC Parks allows for your backcountry camping permits to be pre-purchased online up to two weeks in advance of your arrival date.

Find more information here: bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/ecmanning/backcountry-camping.html

Tip by

8.32 km

Alpine Larch Forest on Frosty Mountain Trail

Highlight • Forest

The small larch forest and the scattered larch trees on the way to Frosty Mountain attract many people here every year, especially in autumn. Also known as Mountain Monarch, you will find a very special tree species here, the alpine larch. Some larches are over 2,000 years old. They are especially beautiful to look at in the fall, when they change their green leaf dress for a bright yellow one.

Tip by

10.4 km

Frosty Mountain Summit

Highlight • Summit

If you want to climb Frosty Mountain, it's best to start at Lightning Lake and choose the ascent from the west. This is not as steep and arduous as the climb from the east from Windy Joe. Also, you can spend a night at Frosty Creek Camp at about 1,900 meters and climb the summit the next day. With Frosty Creek flowing, this is also your closest water source. To spend the night in the backcountry, you'll need a permit that costs $5 a night per person.

Also note: In winter and even in fall, Frosty Mountain can be snow covered. If you descend to the west, you should have microspikes in your backpack for this case.

Tip by

21.0 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

20.2 km

438 m

308 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

11.1 km