Understand
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History
[edit]Several Coast Salish First Nations peoples utilized the land now protected by Golden Ears Provincial Park well before white settlers came to the region in the 19th Century. Most human activity occurred around Alouette Lake, which has the most accessible terrain. The First Nations peoples continue to have rights to hunt, fish, and forage within the park.
A copper mine was established within the present park boundary on the east shore of Pitt Lake in 1897. This closed during the Great Depression. There is a legend of there having been an indigenous man who mined gold in the Pitt Lake area during the 19th Century. The purported mine has never been found despite extensive searches and geologists note that the region is not a likely place to find significant gold deposits.
The area was logged extensively in the 1920s until a large forest fire swept through the valley Alouette Lake sits in. In 1927, the province included it in the newly established Garibaldi Provincial Park. Golden Ears was split from Garibaldi in 1967 to better manage the area because it is separated from Garibaldi by a nearly impenetrable mountain range near the present northern park boundary.
Landscape
[edit]Outside of the valley Alouette Lake sits in, the park is densely forested and very rugged. Some major peaks include the namesake 1 Golden Ears. 1,716 metres (5,630 ft) elevation, and 2 Mount Robie Reid. 2,095 metres (6,873 ft) elevation, both of which are visible from communities in the Lower Mainland.
Numerous rivers and streams bisect the park, mostly draining toward the south. A few lakes are scattered throughout and some of the higher peaks host glaciers. There is a permanent snowfield on the northern face of the Golden Ears.
Flora and fauna
[edit]Most of the park is second-growth forest, the majority of which is made up with western hemlock, western red cedar, and Douglas fir. There are sphagnum bogs at the south end of Alouette Lake. The forests and streams support beaver, dear, black bear, and mountain goats.
Climate
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Golden Ears Provincial Parks lies within the Coast Range of British Columbia which is known for its heavy precipitation and mild temperatures. Rain and mountain snow are most common from September to May but can be experienced at any time of year. During the winter months, heavy snow can fall at the lowest elevations of the park.
Weather systems coming in from the Pacific Ocean dump heavy rainfall and mountain snow on the mountains. Precipitation totals are higher within the park than in nearby Lower Mainland communities because the lift the mountains provide to incoming moisture amplifies rainfall.
Get in
[edit]Access to the park is generally by car, foot, or bike. A small section of the park along Pitt Lake is accessible by boat. There is only one road entering the park, Fern Crescent from Maple Ridge becomes Golden Ears Parkway at the 1 Main Gate.. Access to Maple Ridge is via B.C. Highway 7 with numerous exits off B.C. Highway 1 providing connections to Highway 7.
There are a few scattered helicopter landing spots in the backcountry.
Fees and permits
[edit]Day use parking permits are required for some parking areas in the park on weekends approximately between Victoria Day and Labour Day. These can be acquired online through the BC Parks website.
Get around
[edit]Only the area around 3 Alouette Lake. is developed with vehicle access. Bicycles, including e-bikes, are permitted on 20 km (12 mi) of designated trails in the frontcountry. Horseback riding is similarly permitted on designated trails in the frontcountry. Boating is allowed on Alouette Lake as well as on the east shore of Pitt Lake, which is within the park boundary. The remainder of the park is a mountainous wilderness only accessible on foot
See
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The forested mountains of Golden Ears Provincial Park are full of beautiful scenic vistas with scattered waterfalls. A few highlights are listed below. Most are not accessible by car.
4 Viking Creek Viewpoint (At the end of Viewpoint Trail, which is 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) roundtrip.).
5 Gold Creek Waterfalls.
6 Mike Lake.
Do
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In addition to hiking, backpacking, biking, and horseback riding, the park features numerous water sports activities during the summer along Alouette Lake. Geocaching is popular in the frontcountry.
1 South Beach Day Use Area (East side of Golden Ears Parkway about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) past the main gate.). Main day-use access point for Alouette Lake. Includes a boat launch as well as rentals for canoes, kayaks, and pedalboats on weekends during the summer.
2 Campers Beach (Accessible by foot from Alouette and Gold Creek Campgrounds.). Primitive beach with a marked swimming area.
3 Spirea Nature Trail. Short wheelchair accessible nature trail along Golden Ears Parkway with educational signage discussing the forest.
Sleep
[edit]Camping
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There are three frontcountry campgrounds near Alouette Lake. These are open seasonally and can be reserved on the BC Parks Reservation website.
1 Alouette Campground (Located on the east side of Golden Ears Parkway about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the main gate.). $35 per party per night.
2 Gold Creek Campground (On the east side of Golden Ears Parkway about 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) from the main gate.). $35 per party per night.
3 North Beach Campground (At the end of Golden Ears Parkway.). $23 per party per night.
Backcountry
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Backcountry camping opportunities are numerous and require a Backcountry Camping Permit from BC Parks. There are several designated campgrounds plus dispersed camping throughout the park. Some backcountry campgrounds along Alouette Lake are accessible by boat. Campfires are not allowed in the backcountry.
4 East Beach Campground (Accessible by boat across Alouette Lake.).
5 Moyer Creek Campsite (Accessible by boat across Alouette Lake.).
6 The Narrows Campground (Accessible by boat across Alouette Lake.).
7 Alouette River Campground (Accessible by boat across Alouette Lake.).
8 Osprey Creek South Campground (Accessible by boat cross Pitt Lake.).
9 Osprey Creek North Campground (Accessible by boat across Pitt Lake.).
10 Raven Creek Campground (Accessible by boat across Pitt Lake.).
11 Viewpoint Beach Campground (Along East Canyon Trail.).
12 Alder Flats Camoground (Along West Canyon Trail.).
Stay safe
[edit]Golden Ears Provincial Park is relatively crime free though car break-ins may occur at parking lots. Natural hazards are more of an issue and visitors, especially those enjoying the backcountry, should be prepared for wildlife and rapidly changing conditions. Food should be stored in a manner where animals can not get into it.
Cell phone service is limited around Alouette Lake and can be non-existent depending on how deep into the backcountry one goes. When traveling out of the developed area, let a competent adult know where you are going and when you plan to be back.
Climbing many of the mountains in the park, including the Golden Ears require technical knowledge and equipment. Backcountry trails may be washed out or otherwise damaged in places and stream crossings can be dangerous. An 13 Emergency Shelter. is located on Panorama Ridge along Golden Ears Trail.
Go next
[edit]- Vancouver and other cities in the Lower Mainland offer more cosmopolitan activities.
- Garibaldi Provincial Park near Whistler is an excellent provincial park with wilderness recreation.
- North Cascades National Park nearby in the U.S. state of Washington is a rugged wilderness with numerous backpacking trails.