One of the finest hikes in the Southern Cascades starts at treeline and continues through alpine meadows along ridges for 21 km.    In Manning Provincial Park, drive up the road across from the Lodge to climb Blackwell Peak.   Park at the end of the road at 2000m altitude and follow the Heather Trail.

A loop route around the hilltop can be hiked, but with such a long trail, take the most direct route toward the meadows, dropping down into a treed valley near Buckhorn Camp, before climbing back up through meadows towards Brothers Camp.   For most hikers, this will be an out-and-back day, going to First Brother Mountain and back.   A side trail follow a summit ridge to the top of the First Brother.   It is a narrow route and caution is needed. 

For others, it may be a three day backpack going out to Nicomen Lake and back.   On one very long day of running, we went all the way through to Nicomen Lake, then down the Grainger Trail and the Hope Pass Trail to Highway 3, a total of 40km.  The route to Nicomen Ridge stays in open meadows and near the top of ridges, winding through alpine meadows with frequent views of the Cascades and the border peaks.   Nicomen Lake sits in a forested bowl so if the goal is a long out-and-back, a good turn around point is the high point on Nicomen Ridge.   Beyond Nicomen Lake, the route descends down creek valleys in the forest before meeting the double track of Hope Pass Trail.   There are no views along the lower part of Grainger Creek and the Skaist River, but it is a good route for weary legs, taking care to watch for roots.   Using a two car system allows backpackers to hike all the way through with one or two night's stay along the way, although the days will be long ones..  

For most hikers, an early start to hike out to the meadows will be enough.   There is a tarn near the First Brother that makes a good lunch spot before returning to Blackwell Peak.   Pick a day with good weather in the flower season for a rewarding hike.   This year the snow will linger on the meadows for the whole summer.