Golden Ears - Gold Creek Lower Falls

June 21,2015

This is one of the most beautiful parks in British Columbia's south coastal region (a.k.a. the Lower Mainland). It is located just on the outskirts of Maple Ridge, a suburb of Vancouver. I've been to this park many times because it is only about a half hour drive from home. Although it's quite close to Vancouver, you completely forget that you are close to any city or civilization. It's easy to get lost here and forget about things for a while.

Golden Ears peaks taken from Sumas mountain in Abbotsford. All photos taken with my Canon Powershot SX510 HS except for the summit shot taken on top of Golden Ears mountain (below). It's not hard to be a good photographer when you live out here. This shot (below) was taken zoomed in. The shot, immediately following this one, more accurately reflects the actual distance from where I was.

Same photo not zoomed in. This little camera kicks ass. Very compact and light with a pretty good zoom.

What's really amazing about hiking to the summit of pretty much any mountain around the city of Vancouver is that, beyond those mountains is the most amazing, pristine nature anyone could possibly imagine. This next photo was taken from one of my climbs to the summit of snow-capped Golden Ears mountain several (years ago) Not part of the hike that's described here today but worth showing here because it is all part of this provincial park. This view is from the right peak you see in the zoomed photo (above) showing the peaks from a distance.

Pitt Lake and endless mountains looking north east. This is pretty much what you get out here. Oh yah, Pitt Lake will be a future kayak trip for sure.

Ok, getting back down to earth, the hike that is profiled on this page is the trail called the West Canyon trail. This is the trail that you would take if you wanted to climb to the summit of Golden Ears. On this particular day I decided to hike the first part of the trail to the lower falls of Gold Creek. It's approximately a two hour round trip hike that is quite easy and, therefore, very enjoyable.

However, the hike to the summit of Golden Ears is another story altogether. I will profile the summit hike at some later date. I have done the summit climb six times in total and that is approximately eleven hours round trip in one day. Good conditioning is definitely required for this climb.

The lower falls hike is much easier and, as the photos and small videos will show, also provides some spectacular scenery. This park also offers an excellent west coast rainforest experience. The forests throughout this park are amazing.

On my way back out of the park, I quickly pulled into the day area to take in some more incredible mountain views by Aloutte Lake. You can see this view of the lake and mountains around the lake in the slide show. Note: I also posted our overnight canoe and wilderness camping trip on Aloutte Lake on this site previously.

The following video clip was taken from the view point on the way up the mountain. This was the farthest point of my hike for this day. In the slide show (below) you can see some photos of deep, lush rainforest that I was into that day. You can feel very small in this wilderness.

The following video clip is just a short view of the lower falls at Gold Creek. It was so nice and warm that day. I actually had a little snooze on a large rock out in the sun by the creek. As you can the water is crystal clear. Pure run off from the snow on the surrounding mountains. It just doesn't get any better than this man. Shangri-La! Only this place is real.

Did not find Sasquatch that day. Search continues..

Note: images obtained from Google Maps.

The first map shows the general location of the park (in relation to highway 1). To get to Golden Ears Provincial Park you need to find your way onto Dewdney Trunk Rd. in Maple Ridge. That part you can figure out. Once you are on Dewdney turn north on 232nd St. and follow this to 132 Ave. Turn right on 132 Ave and follow this to Fern Crescent. Turn right on Fern Crescent and follow this to Golden Ears Parkway (This is the main park road). The satellite maps (below) provide more details about the West Canyon trail.

Note: This map also points out Pitt Lake. Earlier I explained that I was looking out at Pitt Lake in the photo showing the view from the summit of Golden Ears.

The following satellite maps provide a fair description of where the trail starts and, generally, where the trail goes.

The following satellite map provides a more detailed description of the hike itself. From the parking area, I first hiked up to the view point shown on the map. From this point, I took some shots of Gold Creek. These are the shots in the slides (shown above) that show the creek from an elevated spot. I also included a small video from that view point as well. To get to this spot, you come to a fork on the West Canyon trail (about 2 kms into the trail) and must follow the trail to the left at that point. That part of the trail would take you to the summit of Golden Ears.

Note: the trail itself is fairly well marked.

From the view point, I came back down and took the trail down to Gold Creek falls following the trail to the right of the fork (mentioned above). The slides and small video also show where I sat for a while meditating just below the falls. Spectacular. Yes?