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Enjoy the view at Golden Ears park
Friday, June 13th, 2008 by GetawayBC.com
Enjoying the picturesque qualities of B.C. scenery is one of the reasons to visit and live in the West Coast.
And one of the largest and most popular of those reasons is Golden Ears Provincial Park, an incredible 55,590 hectares of widely undeveloped wilderness.
Named for the twin peaks of Mount Blanshard, which are said to shine gold from the setting winter sun, Golden Ears lies in the Coast Mountains, north of the mighty Fraser River.
It extends north through untouched mountain areas to the wall of mountain peaks and valleys which divide it and Garibaldi Provincial Park.
The park houses one of the largest campgrounds in the province with 353 vehicle/tent campsites welcoming visitors to two locations inside the park, at Alouette Lake and Gold Creek campgrounds, backcountry or walk-in camping at Alder Flats on the West Canyon Trail and Panorama Ridge on the Golden Ears trail, with advisories that some of the more out of the way sites do not have facilities provided.
Fifty-five campsites also adorn sandy North Beach, an open beach in front of the forested sites, and a great place to watch meteor showers in early August.
Underneath a canopy of second growth western Hemlock, western red Cedar and Douglas Fir tress, campers and day trippers can be found exploring the park on foot, by boat, on their bikes and on horseback.
Campers can swim at all campgrounds and day-use areas and canoeing is popular on Alouette Lake with rentals available in the Alouette day-use area.
Freshwater fishing is also available at Alouette Lake, Mike Lake and Gold Creek.
A four-lane cement surface boat launch at the south end of Alouette Lake has overnight parking available for vehicles and trailers.
Boaters should note, there is no nearby marina to moor boats overnight.
The highlight of the park is the scenery and the highlight of Golden Ear’s is the camper’s ability to enjoy the exposure to so much of what makes British Columbia famous.
An extensive network of trails through which campers can enjoy the scenery and explore the area makes up over 20-kilometres of gravel/dirt paved adventure.
Hiking, cycling and horseback riding can be done on any one of a series of trails which make up the web throughout the park.
Golden Ears has the most available hiking trails this close to Vancouver. Over a dozen trails lead to various destinations throughout the park, including the – 8-mile/12-km – one-way journey to the Golden Ears themselves.
Near the park headquarters, small Mike Lake is the starting point for the Alouette Mountain Hiking Trail – 12-miles/20-km return – to the summit of Alouette Mountain. Once finished, you can enjoy a panoramic view across the Fraser Valley into Washington and west across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island.
A shorter possibility is the – 2.6-mile/4.2-km – Mike Lake Trail. Search the understorey for signs of old logging equipment and wildflowers such as the delicate pink azalea, with petals shaped like five-pointed stars.
Golden Ears is a desired destination and beginning of a British Columbia adventure for the first time and return traveler.
Golden Ears Provincial Park lies in the Coast Mountains 11 km north of Maple Ridge on the north side of the Fraser River. Access to the park is by vehicle via Highway 7 or Dewdney Trunk Road through the District of Maple Ridge. If heading west, turn right onto 232nd and if heading east, turn left onto 232nd; then turn right onto Fern Crescent and follow road into park.
Campground dates:
Alouette campground is open from April 1 – October 9
Gold Creek campground is open from April 1 – October 9
North Beach campground is open from June 16 – September 4.
Camp fees range from $10-24 per party, per vehicle per night, with rates available to persons with disabilities and no fees for campers under 13 years of age.
Winter fees from October 10 to March 31; reduced services.
The closest store is in Maple Ridge approximately 14 kilometres away. There is a pay phone located at the park entrance.;