ALDER FLATS: Golden Ears Provincial Park
Alder Flats: Golden Ears Provincial Park
Trail Key:
Easy-moderate, hills, view, dog friendly (leashed), kid friendly
Elevation: 400 meters
Length:11 km's
Dogs: Yes; leashed
Pit Toilet: yes-trail/campground/Hikers Beach
Hiking Checklist:
Backpack, poles, 10-essentials, tell someone
Directions: drive to Golden Ears Provincial Park in Maple Ridge. Park at West Canyon parking lot. The trail head is well marked. There’s a sign post at the beginning of the TH which is just past the pit toilet.
Trail: At the start there’s a hill and then it’s a flat section. There is a lookout along the trail. We did not go up and see it. Soon after; the trail is somewhat rocky to bridge crossing over a creek.
You’ll descend down a somewhat rocky trail to another bridge crossing. The trail gets rocky soon after.
The trail descends through the big rocks which now have some handy wooden steps. Soon you come to Gold Creek Lookout.
After a bit of ups and downs you come to branch. Up to the left is Alder Flats and Golden Ears and down to the right to Hikers Beach. Go up to Alder Flats (the last big hill on a wide trail) where there are a series of metal bridges and a beautiful rushing creek to cross. This is my favorite part of the trail. You are about 30 minutes from campground. Soon you're following the creek bed. The sweet sound is music to your ears. Keep going and you’ll see the campground but carry on. Follow the path as it leads out to a help pad and some stunning views. It’s a great lunch spot.
Once done, follow the trail back. When at the branch follow the trail down to Hikers Beach. This is a perfect spot for a foot soak. You can cross the creek and follow the trail along to a road, go right and carry on down to another parking lot. You can access the Falls from here is you’re willing to tack on another 5 km’s to your hike. If not, carry on along to the road and over a bridge. Keep walking for what seems like forever. Soon there’s a road on your right and a SP on your left side of the road. Turn right and walk up the road. You are now at the West Canyon parking lot where you started earlier. Happy & safe trails!
Trail Key:
Easy-moderate, hills, view, dog friendly (leashed), kid friendly
Elevation: 400 meters
Length:11 km's
Dogs: Yes; leashed
Pit Toilet: yes-trail/campground/Hikers Beach
Hiking Checklist:
Backpack, poles, 10-essentials, tell someone
Directions: drive to Golden Ears Provincial Park in Maple Ridge. Park at West Canyon parking lot. The trail head is well marked. There’s a sign post at the beginning of the TH which is just past the pit toilet.
Trail: At the start there’s a hill and then it’s a flat section. There is a lookout along the trail. We did not go up and see it. Soon after; the trail is somewhat rocky to bridge crossing over a creek.
You’ll descend down a somewhat rocky trail to another bridge crossing. The trail gets rocky soon after.
The trail descends through the big rocks which now have some handy wooden steps. Soon you come to Gold Creek Lookout.
After a bit of ups and downs you come to branch. Up to the left is Alder Flats and Golden Ears and down to the right to Hikers Beach. Go up to Alder Flats (the last big hill on a wide trail) where there are a series of metal bridges and a beautiful rushing creek to cross. This is my favorite part of the trail. You are about 30 minutes from campground. Soon you're following the creek bed. The sweet sound is music to your ears. Keep going and you’ll see the campground but carry on. Follow the path as it leads out to a help pad and some stunning views. It’s a great lunch spot.
Once done, follow the trail back. When at the branch follow the trail down to Hikers Beach. This is a perfect spot for a foot soak. You can cross the creek and follow the trail along to a road, go right and carry on down to another parking lot. You can access the Falls from here is you’re willing to tack on another 5 km’s to your hike. If not, carry on along to the road and over a bridge. Keep walking for what seems like forever. Soon there’s a road on your right and a SP on your left side of the road. Turn right and walk up the road. You are now at the West Canyon parking lot where you started earlier. Happy & safe trails!
