Mowich Campground via Skyline I Trail

Mowich Campground via Skyline I Trail is one of the big, committing routes in E.C. Manning Park, and it feels every bit of its 33.3 km and 1,875 m of gain. This out-and-back pushes into “extreme” territory, so think strong legs, a heavy pack, and a full day or an overnight. In return you get huge ridge views, quiet camps, and some of the best dark sky stargazing in the park.

The hike starts with a long grind of forested switchbacks that many people call boring, but they get the work done and the trail underfoot is mostly soft and kind on the feet. Once you break out onto the ridge, Manning Park opens up around you with big mountain views, rolling meadows, wildflowers in mid-summer, and fiery underbrush in the fall. Side trips like Hazomeen Ridge and the stretch toward Lone Goat reward the effort with wide open scenery that some rate above 10/10.

Right now, the biggest factor on the Mowich Campground via Skyline I Trail is water. There’s often no reliable water between Strawberry Flats and a tiny creek near Mowich Camp, and by late summer that trickle can dry up completely, so be ready to haul several litres in and enough extra for cooking. Expect exposed sections on the ridge with strong sun, snow lingering into early season, and potentially deep, confusing snowfields in spring where a GPS track, poles, and traction can be essential. Bugs have been mild in recent reports, and most hikers aim for July through September for dry trail, flowers, and clear nights.