Golden Ears Provincial Park - Camping Guide

Golden Ears Provincial Park - Camping Guide
As one of the largest parks in the province, Golden Ears Provincial Park is prized for its recreational opportunities. The extensive system of trails within the park provides an excellent opportunity for hiking and horseback riding.
Alouette Lake is a popular spot for swimming, windsurfing, water-skiing, canoeing, boating and fishing. The park also has three large campgrounds. Vegetation is typical of the coastal western Hemlock forest of B.C. and the mountainous backcountry is extremely rugged.
Established Date: December 14, 1967
Park Size: 62,540 hectares
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 Dewdney Trunk Road through the Municipality of Maple Ridge. If heading west, turn right onto 232nd and if heading east, turn left onto 232nd; then turn right onto Fern Crescent at the traffic circle and follow the road into the park. The campgrounds are approximately 11 km north of the park entrance.
The closest communities, towns and cities are Maple Ridge, Mission and Pitt Meadows.
History: The park was named after the twin peaks of Mount Blanshard near the peak’s western boundary. Originally part of Garibaldi Provincial Park, the establishment of Golden Ears Park in 1927 recognized the almost impenetrable mountain barrier between the two areas.
Cultural Heritage: Human activity in Golden Ears, both past and present, has been confined to the accessible Alouette Valley in the south of the park. In the 1920s, the forested slopes of the valley became the site of BC’s greatest railroad logging operation until a disastrous fire swept through the valley in 1931. The lake and its forested surroundings were also the traditional hunting and fishing grounds for the Douglas-Lillooet (Interior Salish) and Katzie (Coast Salish) First Nations peoples.
Conservation: The park represents the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone and is characterized by a second-growth forest of western hemlock, western red cedar and Douglas fir. There are a series of sphagnum bogs at the south end of Alouette Lake.
Wildlife: The park’s lush plant growth, numerous waterways, and mountainous terrain provide habitat to a variety of animals including beaver, deer, black bear, and mountain goat.
THINGS TO DO :
Canoeing
Climbing
There are two mountains accessible by official trails that require intermediate skills to reach the peaks. Both are long strenuous hikes requiring proper equipment and experience.
Alouette Mountain is accessed on 11 kilometres of trail from Mike Lake using the Incline and Alouette Mountain Fire Access Trails. A return trip will take 9 or 10 hours. Be sure to take water and expect snow well into June.
The Golden Ears are accessed from the West Canyon parking lot via the West Canyon/Golden Ears Trail. This 12 kilometre trail has an elevation change of 1500 metres. Suggested one way time is 7 hours. The round trip is an overnight expedition for all but the fittest. There are camping sites at Alder Flats and Panorama Ridge, see the wilderness/walk-in camping information. 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. Water may be scarce beyond Alder Flats. Expect snow on Panorama Ridge well into July.
Cycling
Fishing
Hiking
Swimming
Waterskiing
and relaxing in the lake!
#goldenears
#darrensadventures

[@allisongoodall6487]

Awesome video thx!!...which campground is closest access to that quieter north beach? Is it too cold to swim in this lake?

[@darrensadventures]

North Beach campsite is the best and quite. Lake is great to swim in the summer, like all Canadian lakes COLD but refreshing )