Maple Ridge

An hour outside of downtown Vancouver lies the beautiful 150,000 acre Provincial Park of Golden Ears. The park has a myriad of hikes and adventures all with varying degrees of difficulty. The Spirea Nature Trail likely clocks in as one easiest amongst the dozens within the park. However, don’t let the level of difficulty throw you off. This short trail packs a punch.  Once you reach the park en...

About one hour outside of Vancouver, Golden Ears Provincial Park is a great escape for hiking and paddling opportunities. The massive drive-in campgrounds are usually full for most of the summer, but deep into the lake's wilderness are marine spots for backcountry camping. Get your backcountry permit here.Set off from the main parking lot at the south end of the lake and follow the western shor...

The 12km (7.5 mi) drive on Neaves Road to Pitt Lake from Pitt Meadows is one of BC's most scenic routes. As soon as you start this section of the drive you already feel miles from the city, but this route is only 30-45 minutes from Vancouver, depending on city traffic.Once you reach the parking lot, get your kayak or rent a canoe ($50-100 for the day) and set off from the boat launch. Paddle to...

To reach the trailhead, follow Harper Road until you reach the Port Coquitlam Gun Club, then park along the side of the road. Walk past the yellow gate and take the first trail to your left. About 10 minutes down the trail, you will reach a gravel logging road. Take an immediate left down the path, Woodland Walk Trail.Continue into the forest until you reach a clearing where new power lines are...

Important: if you are planning on bringing a dog, and they are skittish around loud noises make sure to keep them leashed. This trail is beside the gun club and can spook dogs. You stop hearing the guns once you reach the powerline roadTo reach the trailhead, follow Harper Road until you reach the Port Coquitlam Gun Club, then park along the side of the road. Walk past the yellow gate and take ...

Golden Ears is well known to those in the Lower Mainland. After staring at the jagged 'ears' from all angle, I finally got to see them up close and in-person. The West Canyon Trail is a gentle 5.5 kilometers on a well groomed path, lined with deciduous trees making it a perfect place to watch the leaves change.Beyond this point, the path becomes a trail and you find yourself trading your well g...

Backcountry permits are required to camp on Panorama Ridge ($5) and can be paid online.The trailhead is located at the West Canyon Parking lot. The trail starts out on a relatively flat old logging road. The trail slowly gains elevation over three kilometers taking you through thick green forest and carpets of dense ferns.At the 3 km marker (1.86 miles) you come to a fork. The right descends do...

Day 1 Starting from the Golden Ears parking lot, your journey begins up a relatively small incline passing two bridges and entering the forest. Continue through the forest passing small cliffs and revealing some views of what you are going to climb the next day. Your estimated time it should take to get Alder Flats from the parking lot is around 2.5-3hrs; it is roughly 6km (3.7 mi) and 1200m (4...

If you're looking for a challenge and hope to get into the mountains this is a great adventure to set out on.Be prepared: Water, a lot of time, and with an understanding of the elevation gain will be important. This hike to the viewpoint of Alder Flats (overlooking the ears) takes around 2 hours to reach the lookout and 2 hours to get back to the parking lot. You go through a lot of waterfall r...