Andy G. on Mt Frosty:
“Seven of us car-camped at the Hampton campground on Friday night, setting off for Mt Frosty the next morning from the Beaver Pond trailhead (we parked the other car at Lightning Lake for our return). Note that the old bridge mentioned in Dawn Hanna’s description of the Windy Joe trail is ruined but it was still possible to get across the creek to reach to the bridge over the Similkameen River. Once across the bridge we were on the trail proper and our first destination was the old fire tower atop Windy Joe. After a snack break there we back-tracked downhill a mile or so to join the loop trail to Mt Frosty. This section of trail is a gem: easy on the feet with a gentle gradient. It starts off in open woodland, gradually giving way to spectacular flower meadows and views to the south before finishing off with a series of switchbacks through scree up to the Windy Joe junction. We spent over an hour at the summit of Frosty, admiring the fantastic view and playing hide-and-seek with a pika. Our descent was via Larch Plateau to Lightning Lake for a swim just as the sun dipped below the mountains, followed by dinner and a starlit camp fire. Sunday we were all too tired to do much so we drove up to the start of the Heather Trail and spent a couple of hours taking a bazillion flower photos before heading home. Bugs were plentiful and hungry.
Saturday was a long day – it took us almost 11 hours – but it was worth every minute. Highly recommended for a two car trip.”
