Golden Ears
Statistics
to Alder Flats
| Total Distance: |
10.0 km (return) |
| Estimated Time: |
4.5 hours |
| Average Grade: |
6.2% |
| Structure: |
Linear - Return |
|
|
Elevation Gain:
|
310 m |
| Start Elevation: |
185 m |
| Max Elevation: |
495 m |
|
to North Ear
| Total Distance: |
24.0 km (return) |
| Estimated Time: |
11 hours |
| Average Grade: |
12.7% |
| Structure: |
Linear - Return |
|
|
Elevation Gain:
|
1521 m |
| Start Elevation: |
185 m |
| Max Elevation: |
1706 m |
|
Directions
reason for edit: ladder no longer exists. bypassed. no pic of golden ears summit
Starting on Dewdney Trunk Road in Maple Ridge, turn north on 232 Street and follow it for 2.3 kilometers. Immediately after passing alongside Maple Ridge Park, turn right on Fern Crescent. Continue another 3.5 km to the Golden Ears Provincial Park gate.
Drive 11 km from the park entrance, passing the turnoff for the campsite. Shortly after the road changes to gravel, turn left into the West Canyon parking lot.
Details
Initially follows a section of trail known as the "West Canyon Trail". Although BC Parks generally regards the West Canyon Trail to be separate from the Golden Ears Trail they are actually the same trail - the first half to Alder Flats is referred to as the West Canyon Trail while the steeper second half is referred to as the Golden Ears Trail.
Follow an old logging road for 3.11 km before turning uphill. This first section is a fairly easy grade and in most places wide enough to walk side by side. A short trail at the end of the old road drops downhill to Lower Falls. The trail to the Falls is only a few hundred meters. Going up hill takes you to a view of Gold Creek just before the 4.0km mark. The uphill section is less than a km with the trail pretty much leveling out at the 4.0km mark. Alder Flats is at the 5.5km mark with potential camping spots from 5.0 - 5.5km. There is also an out house located just off the trail near the 5.5km marker.
Beyond Alder Flats the trail switchbacks upward on an old logging road then heads steeply uphill to Panorama Ridge. Most of the elevation gain is made in this stretch. If there is still significant snow on the ridge - usually until about mid-July - then stretches of the old logging road are likely carry several inches of running water. Listen for the nasal squeak of pikas in the rock slides. Impressive view of Pitt Lake to the west and mountains to the east and north are possible from Panorama Ridge. The ascent of the North Ear is made from the left (east) side across a permanent snowfield. Extreme caution is advised and proper equipment is recommended.
Drinking water may be scarce in dry weather between Alder Flats and the snowfield. The round trip to Golden Ears is an overnight expedition for all but the fittest hikers. Overnight camping areas are located at Alder Flats and on Panorama Ridge around the emergency mountain shelter which, itself, can accommodate up to 8 people. Expect snow on Panorama Ridge into July. This trail is long and strenuous and should only be attempted by experienced, well-equipped backcountry travelers. An outhouse has been built on Panorama Ridge.
Golden Ears Peak - elevation 1706 meters. Located in the central area of the park.
Photographs
GPS Waypoints
| West Canyon trailhead |
N49.32727 W122.46306 |
10U 539015 5463977 |
| Junction to Lower Falls |
N49.35106 W122.45461 |
10U 539610 5466626 |
| Alder Flats helipad |
N49.39316 W122.47208 |
10U 538308 5471297 |
| Emergency shelter |
N49.36659 W122.50141 |
10U 536200 5468329 |