E. C. Manning Provincial Park

Centennial Trail: Manning to Cathedral Lakes Trail

Rating: Moderate

Length: 84 km one way

Elevation Change: 823 metres

Time: 3 to 5 days

Best Time to Go: July - mid October

Start of Trail: Monument 83 parking lot

Note: other than the first 2.4 km this trail is not within the park boundary and is not maintained by BC Parks.

The trail to Cathedral Lakes begins at the Monument 83 parking lot. Starting at 1128 metres in elevation, you follow the old fire access road as it climbs 670 metres through pine and spruce-fir stands. The Cathedral Lakes cut off, marked with a wooden sign, is 14 km up this road at the 1798 metre elevation level. Anyone coming this far should walk 1.6 km further to the Monument 83 viewpoint. A breathtaking view and the mysterious grave of "Pasayten Pete" awaits those who do.

From the Cathedral Lakes cut off, it is an 18 km hike with an elevation drop of 609 metres to the Pasayten River. The trail is easily followed as it winds through mature spruce-fir stands. At one point there is a short climb into an alpine meadow. As you walk this open area, you get a beautiful view of the Cascade Mountain range.

The trail quickly resumes a downhill grade until you reach the Pasayten River. There is a designated campsite 100 metres east of the river. You must ford the Pasayten River. This can be very difficult before July due to spring run off. From here you can walk 21 km north down a logging road which follows the Pasayten River to Highway #3 or you can continue on to Cathedral Lakes.

The trail begins a 762 metre climb from the Pasayten River to Trapper Lake at the 1951 metre elevation level. Most of the trail is in mature timber entering the alpine 2 km before Trapper Lake. This is a good trout fishing lake, but because of the altitude it is usually mid June before it is free of ice and late July before the fish have completed their spawning. From Trapper Lake, the trail follows Easygoing Creek down 731 metres of elevation to the Ashnola Valley.

Upon reaching the Ashnola road, follow the road down towards Keremeos for approximately 3.2 km to a parking lot on the river side of the road where you cross the river to Wall Creek. Continue 14.8 km to reach Cathedral Lakes.

E. C. Manning Provincial Park - Driving Tour Page.

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