E. C. Manning Provincial Park

Pacific Crest Trail (Canadian Portion)

Canadian Portion - 13 km, 4 hours, elevation change 450m

The trail begins at the Windy Joe/Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) trailhead, located 1km off Hwy 3 on the Gibson Pass (Lightning Lake) Road.

From the parking lot, the trail heads southeast for 2.2km before intersecting the Windy Joe access road. From here turn right and follow Windy Joe for another 3.3km until reaching the Windy Joe/PCT (Frosty) junction. While the Windy Joe trail does not afford spectacular panoramic vistas until reaching its summit, it does have a variety of flora and fauna to keep one intrigued.

From the Windy Joe/PCT turnoff, head south for approximately 1km before reaching the Mt. Frosty turnoff - keep to the left and the PCT wilderness campsite is located within 1/2km (7km approximately). This camp does not have a shelter, but there is a pit toilet, fire ring, ample camp space and a stream that only runs dry near the end of a hot summer.

Upon leaving the camp, the trail descends in a southwesterly direction providing great views and a wide variety of flowers (June and July). Soon after the end of the decent, the trail crosses Castle Creek to the Monument 78/Castle Creek wilderness campsite - at 12.5km approximately. Fill your water bottles here.

The Border (Monument 78) is another 500m down the trail. Stop here, or continue on to Mexico, over 3700km away!

Notes:

• Due to heavy snowfall, extreme avalanche conditions can exist south of the border. Hikers going into the United States are recommended not to do so until early July, and check with BC Parks and the US Forest Service (Winthrop) first. The majority of PCT hikers start in late May or early June, but do so from the Mexican end.
• Firearms ARE NOT PERMITTED in Manning Park.
• Canadian citizens must have permission to enter the US The United States occasionally posts immigration/border patrol in this area and failure to provide written allowance to be in the US could result in fines and/or indefinite suspension from the country. Americans entering Canada must contact Canadian Immigration BEFORE entering Canada.

Customs & Permit Information:

All persons leaving or entering Canada must have written permission from the Immigration department, for more information: http://www.pcta.org/planning/before_trip/permits.asp or through Canada Customs.

The PCT Trail Thru-Permit information and form is available at: http://www.pcta.org//planning/before_trip/permits/thru_permit_form.html

US

The US Customs is stating that persons can cross the border but are required to report to the nearest "Point of Entry" as soon as possible. Failure to report in can result in arrest. On the Canadian side there is a process to obtain written permission to enter Canada but there is also the requirement to report to either the nearest RCMP or Customs and Immigration office. Anyone wishing to use this trail should contact both US and Canadian immigration for information.

• Here is the Canadian Customs web site: http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/
• Here is the US Customs web site: http://www.customs.ustreas.gov

Other Information:

The Greyhound bus only has scheduled passenger pickup at Manning Park Lodge. Here is the general Greyhound inquiry number. (1-800-661-8747).

Eastgate is the closest gas station/post office/liquor store. It is located 17km east of Manning Park Resort. Parcels for PCT hikers can be sent c/o Manning Park Resort, Manning Park BC, V0X 1R0. Please mark packages "hold for pick up" as well as the date that you expect to arrive.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the PCT Association.

We wish you a safe and memorable hike along the PCT!

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