Pockets of glorious subalpine flowers are out in the meadows! Look for places with a bit of moisture and hit the backcountry searching for those beautiful flowers.
The peak bloom of the wildflowers in the sub-alpine meadows is typically around this time. Due to hot, dry conditions and very little rain in the past few weeks, we are anticipating that the display is likely approaching it’s peak. If there is no rain, it is likely that it will be a quick bloom, so make sure to drive up for a hike on one of the popular wildflower hikes!
Wildflower walks are scheduled weekly from Friday-Monday & Wednesday at 11am. Meet at the Naturalist hut in upper parking lot on Blackwall Peak Road.
Remember to stay on the path: This is particularly important in the Alpine meadows where rare and delicate plants struggle to survive in this harsh and extremely fragile ecosystem. Straying off designated paths destroys these sensitive plants. Please help us protect these Alpine meadows and the photo opportunities they provide for generations to come!
Looking for some respite from the 30+ degree weather? Find some solace in the cooler alpine temperatures at Manning Park! We’ve got lots of adventurous ways to cool off and cold treats for every taste!
Can you possibly get a more refreshing lake to swim in than Lightning Lake? This alpine lake is fed by snow run-off which means it stays cool and refreshing through the summer. We are not kidding – it’s cold! If you can’t take the dip, just getting out on the water by canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard or rowboat will cool you down!
Chill your taste buds with ice cream. We sell ice cream treats at the Boathouse all day long, or get your favourite ice cream scooped at the Bistro. We also have iced coffee and milkshakes available at the Bistro.
We are cooler just because of where we are! By virtue of being at a higher elevation, the temperatures are cooler than in the valleys, and the breeze is fresh. Our day temperatures are forecast to range between a comfortable 26-29 degrees in the next few days. Night temperatures drop down to a pleasant 13 degrees tonight. Ahhhhhhh. Enjoy!
Hike to find the last patches of snow on Mt. Frosty. Climb the highest peak in Manning Park to get astounding views of the area, where snow still lies on the ground. You may get really hot on the way up, but once you find the snow, a snowball fight will cool you down!
Embrace the sunshine and have an ice cold beer on the patio at the Pinewoods Dining Room. Relax under the shade of the umbrellas with a selection of your favourite brews from Old Yale Brewing, and great eats to accompany it!
Take a cruise on the newly paved Highway #3! Whether you’re in a sportscar, on a motorcycle or using “4WD a/c” (Four windows down air conditioning), the smooth pavement is a delightful way to blow your hair back.
Air quality in the park is looking good and clear – check the Boathouse webcam to see what the conditions are like on the lake: http://summer.manningpark.com/webcam/
Tell us – what’s your favourite way to cool down in the heat?
Wherever you are at this weekend, travel safe, stay hydrated, don’t forget the sunscreen and have fun!
“Effective at noon on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, all open burning (including campfires and Category 3 fires) will be prohibited within the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, with the exception of Haida Gwaii and the area known as the fog zone.
These prohibitions do not apply to CSA-rated or ULC-rated cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, so long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.
The following activities are also prohibited:
* open fires that burn woody debris in outdoor stoves
* the use of stoves and other portable campfire apparatuses that are not CSA-approved or ULC-approved”
“-The smoking restriction applies to all areas within a provincial park and protected area except in a designated, front country campsite. Cigarettes and other ignition sources must be extinguished and disposed of within the designated campsite.
-Smoking is restricted in all public areas of a park or protected area, however the restriction doesn’t apply to a park visitor’s private motor vehicle or recreational vehicle. Individuals must remain in their private vehicle or recreational vehicle while smoking and dispose of the ignition source within the vehicle. It is not acceptable to smoke outside of those vehicles, except when the vehicle is in a registered campsite or group campsite with a hardened surface.
-The smoking restriction applies to all types of smoking devices that contain an ignition source, whether it’s a flame, spark, mechanical spark, electronic spark or smoke.”
To support the BC Parks campfire ban, as well as our message of “Fresh Air Experiences”, we are moving towards creating a smoke-free environment at Manning Park Resort year-round.
While this helps create a Fresh Air Experience for everyone to enjoy, it also mitigates the risk of fire hazards in our increasingly hot and dry summer.
Designated smoking areas will be identified around Manning Park Resort, where it will be permitted to smoke. This will be a year-round implementation.
Designated areas at the Resort for Summer 2018 include:
-Cordoned off stall in front of Manning Park Lodge, near ‘Camping Info’ kiosk
-The covered pathway area at the back of the Lodge, to the west of the Lodge, towards the cabins.
Cigarette disposal will be available at these locations, and we ask that you use the receptacles provided, and ensure all cigarette butts are extinguished fully.
We kindly request that you do not smoke outside of these areas.
In the wintertime, we are continuing this message by going smoke-free at the ski hill. Designated smoking areas at the Resort will remain in effect year-round.
May 26, 2018 Visit the rhododendrons at Rhododendron Flats, on a 10-minute loop walk through the forest. Lush carpets of moss keep the soil damp during the spring and early summer allowing the moisture loving rhododendron to be at its best when it flowers in June. (starting now!)
Rhododendron comes from the Greek word meaning ‘rose tree’ and indeed, the Pacific rhododendron could compete with even the showiest of the hybrid roses. Reaching a sprawling height of up to 8m, it surpasses many of its cultivated cousins.
Of the 600 different rhododendron species worldwide, only 27 varieties occur in North America.
Because of its rarity, the Pacific Rhododendron is protected by law in BC.
Where are all the others?
The Pacific rhododendron found at Rhododendron Flats and in the nearby Skagit Valley Provincial Park are an isolated population at the northern extent of their range. The nearest populations occur south of Mount Rainier and on the Olympic Peninsula. Two small isolated populations are also found on Vancouver Island near Nanaimo and Shawnigan Lake.
Why are the rhododendrons here? Studies have revealed that the Skagit Valley rhododendrons are very similar genetically to populations in Washington state. This indicates that the Skagit populations has only recently been isolated. Are they a relic of a population that was once more widely distributed or has their seed somehow found its way here from the southern populations?
There are some exciting updates from BC Parks planned for this year in E.C. Manning Provincial Park. We are happy to share some of the great news that BC Parks has announced:
Hampton Campground continues to get some incredible upgrades to complement the new wash houses that were installed last year. This May, plans are in motion to build a kid’s bike park as well as a playground. Now with expanded views, wash house and more sites, Hampton is proving to be a coveted camping spot!
Lone Duck group facility now has two beautiful, brand new shelters that were built last spring, as well as large wash sinks installed. The final touches will be completed this spring completing this project.
Buckhorn backcountry camp is being looked at for an expansion, with an upgraded shelter, similar to that of the Lone Duck campsite.
BC Parks has also unrolled their Student Ranger Program. This program will bring 6 student rangers to Manning Park to assist with trail maintenance.
Lots of plans are in place for maintaining and renovating trails. We are excited and supportive of the great efforts of BC Parks, as well as the Friends of Manning Park group that volunteers an incredible amount of work in the park!
If you want to get involved and help out with some of the work bees planned for this summer, contact the Friends of Manning Park Facebook page for more information.
This day in history Sept. 14, 1941: “Elaborate celebrations planned for the dedication of the Ernest C. Manning Park.
Nearly 100 People Attend Despite Inclement Weather; Addresses Delivered by Notables”
“Among the visitors present were: Mrs. E.C. Manning, the Hon. the Minister of Lands, Mr. Wells Gray, C.D. Orchard, who succeeded Mr. Manning as the Chief Forester, C.H. Upper, MLA, W.E. McArthur and J. G. Acres, of Greenwood, E.C. Menninger, MLA; R. McLean and L.A. Mansfield of Grand Forks; A.C. Mackenzie, Thos. Daly and D. Miller of Penticton.
W. D. Seaman, President of the Princeton Board of Trade, was in charge of the proceedings, and after all present had joined in singing “O Canada”, he extended a cordial welcome to all who had come to honour the memory of the late Chief Forester.
Thereafter the band played, then E. E. Burr spoke on half of all the old-timers of Similkameen who had dreamed of such a park, and who had lived to see their dream come true.”
Left to right: Murray Phillips, Michael of Canadian Ski Patrol, Kelley Cook, Tom Moore, Mark Weston (BC Parks), Heather MacDonald, Michele Drummond, Roger Bean, Mike Barker (Manning Park Resort)
This past Saturday, July 16th marked Canada’s Parks Day, and was the date chosen to celebrate the 75th anniversary of EC Manning Provincial Park.
Despite being in the middle of summer, the weather resembled the initial ceremony that was held on an overcast, chilly September 12, 1941.
An enthusiastic crowd turned out to visit the community booths, which held excellent displays of Manning history, local hiking and conservation groups and represented the Hope, Princeton and Chilliwack communities. Many past and present staff from BC Parks were at the event. To the delight of kids, Jerry the Moose also made an appearance.
Dignitaries who spoke of the heritage and continuing conservation of the park included Mark Weston, BC Parks and Protected Areas Section Head of the Okanagan, Kevin Demers, owner of Manning Park Resort, and Tom Moore, former BC Parks District Manager from 1963-1973.
Mayors of Princeton, Hope and Chilliwack graced the ceremony. The honourable Frank Armitage (Princeton), Wilfried Vicktor (Hope), and Sharon Gaetz (Chilliwack) spoke of the influence of the Park on their communities, as well as their personal experiences and memories.
The Honourable Mayor Frank Armitage presented Manning Park with a special photo of the band that played at the opening ceremony in 1941. It will hang in a place of honour in Manning Park.
A number of volunteers were recognized for their ongoing commitment to maintain trails in the park, as well as supporting the programs and activities that make Manning a special place. They were given the gift of the 75th commemorative painting for their efforts.
Those recognized for their volunteer efforts:
Tom Moore, former BC Parks District Manager and longtime Friends of Manning Park
Kelley Cook, Friends of Manning Park and Heritage Trails
Rose Schroeder, Backcountry Horsemen of BC (not pictured)
Heather MacDonald, Fat Dog 120 organizer
Roger Bean, longtime Friend of Manning Park
Jim Hilton, longtime BC Parks employee with 3 generations (his dad, Joe, then son, Jamie) working in Manning Park (not pictured)
Kelly Pearce & Hope Mountain Centre (represented by Michele Drummond)
Canadian Ski Patrol – Manning Park Team
Jo Hughes, Park interpreter and Manning Park Resort employee (not pictured)
There are many more that could and should be recognized for their continuing dedication to make Manning Park the incredible place that it is. Thank you to these individuals and all those they represent within their organizations and others who work to conserve and protect EC Manning Provincial Park.
Murray Phillips unveiled his commemorative painting – “On the Way to Three Brothers – Manning Park.” He spoke lovingly of the park that he grew up in, and of his honour to memorialize it with his beautiful painting depicting the Heather Trail, looking towards the Three Brothers ridge in the alpine meadows of Manning Park.
All who attended were welcome to get a poster of his painting, and he signed over 250 copies.
Posters are available from Manning Park Visitor Centre. The 75th commemorative painting is also available as art prints and giclée canvas for purchase in the Country Store. Profits go towards the interpretive programs that run in the park throughout the summer.
Thank you for joining us to celebrate this remarkable milestone! Here’s to another 75 years!
As Manning Park turns 75 this year, we want to celebrate by sharing stories of My Manning Memory. There is a huge amount of nostalgia and love for Manning that we want to draw out and to showcase your stories.
Let’s reminisce about that time you saw a bear munching grass on your hike, or when you were camping and thought you heard a wolf, your family (mis)adventures of canoeing, or your historical knowledge of the area!
Share 1 photo + 1 story (300 words or less) of your favourite Manning Memory, and get entered into the contest for great prizes!
Prizes generously donated by our sponsors include:
Valhalla Pure-Abbotsford -two awesome backpacks to give away- a Tempest and a Talon backpack from Osprey
Leave a Leaf -Maple leaf shaped hiking baskets (We love these!)
Coleman -Coleman inflatable 1 person kayak
Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning – One-day program for one lucky person
Mt. Waddington’s -gift card
Manning Park Resort – 1 night queen room lodge accommodation + groomer ride (Redeemable Winter 2016/17)
BC Parks -75th commemorative painting, t-shirts & more swag
Contest runs from May 21 to September 4th. Winners will be announced at the Final Interpretive program for summer season – September 4th.
You can see a list of winners after September 4th by visiting summer.manningpark.com/my-manning-memory or check our Facebook.
