Hiking Mount Outram near Manning Park
Contents
Mount Outram Hike Information
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Distance: 19.70Km
Elevation Gain: 1,820m
Highest Elevation: 2,461m
Average Gradient: 18.48%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Very High / High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 9 – 11 Hours
– Moderate: 8 – 9 Hours
– Fast: 7 – 8 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: July – October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: An optional, moderate scramble for those wanting to go to the true summit
Mount Outram Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 49°15’17.6″N 121°11’22.2″W
Mount Outram Overview
Mount Outram is a hike beginning on the western tip of Manning Park, with the summit just outside of the park near Hope. Featuring beautiful alpine flowers, a small scenic lake and panoramic summit views, Mount Outram is a great hike in a stunning setting.
At 2,461m, this is one of the highest peaks in the region, and as such reaching the summit is no mean feat. Thankfully the trail is well maintained, easy to follow and has a consistent steepness, so despite the significant elevation gain and high average gradient it is easy to keep a quick pace throughout much of the hike.
Due to the steep grade and long approach, Mount Outram is typically a summer only hike, when the summit is mostly, or entirely, free of snow. This usually means the season runs from late June to October.
Accessing Mount Outram is a piece of cake, with the trailhead in a large, paved parking area at the western gate of Manning Park. This also makes for a popular overnight trip thanks to the majority of the hike being outside of Manning Park, thus not requiring a reservation or backcountry permit. Many people hike up to the lake, camp there, then head up to the summit the next morning. Still, this is a more than achievable day trip, and indeed it might even be easier to pack light and fast than lug up overnight gear.
Once you have broken out of the treeline the views are breathtaking to the south, particularly of Silvertip Mountain and Mount Rideout. From the summit you will have 360 degree views, towering above the majority of peaks in the region.
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Is Mount Outram worthwhile?
Mount Outram is no doubt a significant slog, with the majority of the hike in the forest with little to see. Once you break out of the forest at the 1,900m mark, the views really open up and you are richly rewarded for the huge effort you have put in so far. After finally reaching the peak the views are breathtaking and the payoff is worth the effort.
The only real drawback of this hike is the massive approach through the forest, which no doubt takes away some of the allure, but the good news is this tends to keep away a lot of people who are put off by the challenging stats of this hike. Let’s be honest, most people want amazing views for minimal effort, and you won’t find that at Mount Outram. Overall Mount Outram is a great hike that suffers marginally from a long, fairly boring approach. Thankfully you can power through this quickly.
How difficult is the hike to Mount Outram?
Physically speaking Mount Outram is obviously difficult, with a significant elevation gain and a high average gradient. It’s not uncommon for some parties to take over 10 hours to complete this hike, hence many opt to tackle it as an overnight. That being said, while the gradient is consistent it’s rarely exceedingly steep. Fit parties can maintain a solid pace and complete the hike in around 7 hours, including breaks.
Technically the hike is also quite straightforward. The majority of the hike is in the forest on a well defined trail, allowing for a fast pace. Once you break out of the treeline the next section of the hike travels through alpine meadows, before reaching a small lake beneath the summit. Beyond the lake you’ll soon reach a steep talus field, but again it’s never steep enough to require the use of hands. You’ll soon reach a ridgeline which you need to traverse across (no exposure) to the sub summit. Many parties stop here. The true summit requires a short scramble with a few sections of exposure that many groups don’t bother with, given the fact it is just a few meters higher than the sub summit and the views being basically the same.
Mount Outram Route Information
The trailhead for Mount Outram is at a large parking lot by the western gate of Manning Park, accessible for all vehicles. The trail immediately passes by some washrooms before entering the forest. After a few hundred meters you’ll pass by a large boulder field, before reaching a junction with the trail signposted for Mount Outram, to your left.
The next 6.5km of the hike will essentially be a relentless forest grind with little of note in terms of things to see or do. You’ll be climbing a full 1,300m in the forest, a fairly sizable portion of the hike. Thankfully the trail is very easy to follow and pretty well maintained for the most part. There will be some deadfall along the way that you will need to navigate, but it’s fairly simple to do so. The forest is also fairly scenic in parts, with some open mossy sections making for a fairly scenic outing.
At around the 1,530m mark you will cross Sixteen Mile Creek, making for a good spot to replenish your water supplies before continuing the steep climb. In a few hundred meters you’ll reach the beginning of the meadows, and you’ll start to get some nice views to the south. In mid summer these meadows should be awash with alpine flowers, making for a pretty stunning section of the hike.
Continuing along, the trail meanders through more meadows but the gradient rarely ceases. At around the 1,975m mark you will finally reach the small lake, with Mount Outram looming behind. Most parties will stop here to have a rest after the grueling grind, perhaps refilling their water and having some food before continuing on. It’s also generally a beautiful setting filled with alpine flowers, so it’s a great spot for some photos too.
The obvious trail now continues to the west of the lake, climbing steeply through yet more meadows. The views behind to the south continue to get better and better as you climb, giving you a good excuse to stop and catch your breath to take photos.
At around 2,200m elevation, or 8km into the hike, you’ll reach the final section of the hike, the talus field. The trail now is not very obvious and you might see some painted rocks or cairns knocking around. Do your best to follow them, but it’s not that easy and in all honesty not that important. You can pretty much make your own way up this talus field, just make sure you are going in the general direction of the summit.
Thankfully the talus is fairly stable, though do take care as some of the rocks might move under your feet. As you climb you will see a couple of false summits before eventually reaching the ridgeline. There are many great lookout points once you reach the ridge, with the views to the north now opening up, providing a constant 360 degree for the remainder of the hike.
The rest of the hike is simple, you merely follow the ridgeline to the northwest towards the summit. In no time you will reach the end of the official trail, but you will see that the true summit is a little further. Many people stop at the sub summit, happy with the views, but others can continue to the true summit, which requires a moderate scramble with a couple of exposed sections.
We had a small welcome party when we arrived at the summit, a couple of incredibly friendly marmots hung around with us the entire time we were there, something I have never seen in my hiking life to date. Usually marmots will run away from humans immediately.
The views from the top are naturally outstanding, with amazing views of Silvertip Mountain, Mount Rideout, Mount Payne, Marmot Mountain, Johnson Peak, MacLeod Peak and much, much more.
After resting up at the top you simply head back the way you came, taking care on the talus field not to step on any loose rocks. Once you’re back at the lake the remaining hike through the forest will be a drag, but it at least goes quickly!
When should I hike Mount Outram?
Similar to most significant summits in BC, the season for Mount Outram is typically in the summer months, so July to October. Most people will not do this hike in snow given the already challenging stats and the steep gradient.
Top Tip
If you are aiming to do this as a day hike I would suggest trying to keep a very fast pace through the forest. You can likely reach the lake in around 2.5 hours at a good clip, taking a rest there before another hour or so to reach the summit.
Poles are useful as this is a steep gradient and your knees will be tested, especially on the descent.
Bug spray might be wise in the early summer especially.
