Mt Golden Ears Trail Hike, BC

The Mt Golden Ears trail which takes you to the summit of Mt Golden Ears in Golden Ears Provincial Park and Panorama Ridge in Golden Ears (not to be confused with Panorama Ridge in Garibaldi Provincial Park) is one Vancouver hike that had been on my list for a while.

Mt Golden Ears sits in Golden Ears Provincial Park which is a beautiful park about an hour to the east of downtown Vancouver.

The Mt Golden Ears summit hike is known for being strenuous but it is definitely rewarding with incredible views towards the end.

During our last summer of living in Canada, I finally got to tick this hike off my list and headed up to Mt Golden Ears summit on a solo hike.

The Mt Golden Ears trail is long and has a section of steep climbing and it’s only on the final approach to Panorama Ridge that you get views. If you continue from here there’s a scramble which can be tricky for route finding.

If you’re looking to do the Golden Ears trail hike, here’s everything you need to know.

NEW 2024 UPDATE!
You will need a day pass to access popular BC parks, Garibaldi (from June 13 to September 2, 2024, and on weekends and holidays only from September 3 to October 14, 2024), Joffre (May 16 to October 31, 2024. Closures: April 30 to May 15, June 14 to June 23, September 3 to October 3) and Golden Ears (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday only from May 3 to September 2, 2024,). The passes are free and available from 7 am two days before your visit. All details & information here. 

Things to know about visiting Golden Ears Provincial Park

Before you head out to hike the Mt Golden Ears trail, you should bear in mind the following:

• Golden Ears Day Pass: In the summer months, you’ll need a free day-use pass to access Golden Ears. The Golden Ears permit can be reserved online up to 2 days in advance of your visit.
• Golden Ears gate hours: Golden Ears has entrance gates. They open at 7 am and close at 11 pm so you cannot enter and leave the park outside of these times.
• Dogs: Golden Ears Provincial Park is dog friendly, but there are some sections you may need to carry your dog if it’s not used to steep climbs or scrambles.
• Golden Ears Camping + camping permits: You can camp at Panorama Ridge on the tent pads. Tent pads are limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve in advance here.
• Fires: Campfires are not allowed in Golden Ears’ backcountry
• Phone signal: There are a few small patches of phone signal along the hike but cannot be relied on. If hiking solo you should have a satellite device. I use my Garmin InReach mini.
• Parking: Parking in Golden Ears is limited. The trail begins at the West Canyon Parking Lot which fills up quickly once the park gates have opened.
• Respect the environment: Follow Leave No Trace principles and minimize your impact on the environment by staying on the marked trail and leaving no trace of your presence.
• Pack bear spray: There are bears in Golden Ears Provincial Park. Make noise and always carry bear spray.

Hiking Mt Golden Ears Trail

From the Golden Ears trailhead (above), the trail is flat and easy for several kilometres. Towards the left of the parking lot (as you entered) there are pit toilets and a sign marking the West Canyon/Golden Ears trails.

Follow these signs are you pass a green silo on your right and continue walking along the West Canyon Trail through the forest.

There are some bridges in this early section of the hike and you’ll come to a fork in the trail. The righthand fork goes to the Lower Falls Trail and the left to the Golden Ears Trail.

As you continue deeper into the forest, the trail becomes steeper and rockier, taking you over exposed tree rocks and larger rocks.

Soon you’ll come out to the Gold Creek Lookout where you can get impressive views of the river below you.

As you continue along the trail, you’ll pass more large boulders, and walk over small bridges.

Eventually, you come out to the Alder Flats campsite. This backcountry campsite in Golden Ears is popular with people breaking up the hike to the Golden Ears summit.

As you walk past the campsite, there’s a sign pointing to Golden Ears and at this point, the trail gets steeper and rockier on a fairly wide path through the forest.

Soon you’ll come out to a clearing. Here there are some great views, but you need to pay attention to where the next path is, as it’s not immediately obvious.

Take the path to your right that climbs steeply uphill using a wooden staircase. Ignore the path straight ahead that goes through the trees.

The staircase is steep and a sign of the even steeper trail that is to come from here on in.

Stay focused on following the markers as it can be easy to lose the trail in some areas. Most of the markers are orange but you will spot the occasional pink and yellow markers as well.

The trail here is less rocky, but there are plenty of tree roots which can be slippery after wet weather. There are also some sections where you’ll need to climb up over some rocks.

Eventually, you’ll come out of the tree line and start to get some views of Golden Ears summit, the emergency shelter and tent pads.

The path winds around slightly feeling as though you’re getting further away – keep looking out for trail markers and check your GPS navigation apps as it’s easy to lose the trail.

You’ll come out to the top of a big wooden ladder against a rock. Climb down the ladder and continue over the rock field before arriving at the emergency shelter and the tent pads at Panorama Ridge in Golden Ears.

You get beautiful views here of the surrounding mountains and waters.

Though the summit remains further up, most hikers stop at this area by the emergency shelter.

The next part of the hike involves scrambling and it can be hard to navigate.

Since I was hiking solo, I decided to call it a day at this point.

Make sure you leave enough time to get back down the trail and to your car before the gates are closed.

The return trip can be hard on your knees so take extra care not to slip or fall. The return journey follows the route you took up here.

Stats for the Golden Ears Summit trail

This refers to the hike from the West Canyon Trail. Alternatively, you can hike along the East Canyon trail if you’ve parked at, or are camping at the North Beach Campground.

• Distance: 24 km
• Golden Ears hike time: 8 hours (fast) – 14 hours
• Golden Ears Summit Difficulty: Strenuous – long, steep, and some scrambling
• Elevation gain: 1,500 m
• Golden Ears trail map – What I used as my Golden Ears hiking trail map

What to pack for hiking the Mt Golden Ears summit trail near Vancouver

What to pack for this hike depends on what season you’re hiking in.

• Check out my day hike packing list here.
• If you’re hiking in summer you should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, layers, water and bug spray as well as everything in the 10 essentials for hiking list.
• Here is what to wear hiking in hot weather
• Check out this post on the best leggings for hiking or what to wear hiking in summer for more details and my gear recommendations.
• If you’re hiking in winter after the snow has started falling you’ll need microspikes at the very least. If there is a lot of snow you will probably need snowshoes.
• You should also take plenty of layers including a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are also necessary as well as a good backpack to keep everything in.
• You should also pack water and some snacks too to keep you going as they’re part of the 10 essentials for hiking!
• Planning a hiking date? Check out what to wear on a hiking date but still look cool.

What to pack for this hike depends on what season you’re hiking in.

• Check out my day hike packing list here.
• If you’re hiking in summer you should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, layers, water and bug spray as well as everything in the 10 essentials for hiking list.
• Here is what to wear hiking in hot weather
• Check out this post on the best leggings for hiking or what to wear hiking in summer for more details and my gear recommendations.
• If you’re hiking in winter after the snow has started falling you’ll need microspikes at the very least. If there is a lot of snow you will probably need snowshoes.
• You should also take plenty of layers including a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are also necessary as well as a good backpack to keep everything in.
• You should also pack water and some snacks too to keep you going as they’re part of the 10 essentials for hiking!
• Planning a hiking date? Check out what to wear on a hiking date but still look cool.

Golden Ears camping

There are two backcountry campsites along the trail to Golden Ears trail, including at Alder Flats and Panorama Ridge.

The latter is the one you’re looking for for Golden Ears summit camping. Alder Flats is found partway along the trail and is in the forest.

These are both backcountry campsites and have limited facilities.

You must pre-purchase a Backcountry Camping Permit through BC Parks if you wish to do some Golden Ears backcountry camping.

Campfires are not allowed at either site.

There are also other places for camping in Golden Ears if you’re not doing Golden Ears summit camping. You can find all the information about how to reserve them and see a Golden Ears campground map online at BCParks.

Note: Camping is NOT allowed in the emergency shelter. This structure is for emergency purposes only. You can only camp on the designated tent pads when doing Golden Ears Panorama Ridge camping.

Where is Golden Ears Maple Ridge?

Mount Golden Ears is located in British Columbia, Canada, about an hour’s drive east of Vancouver.

The mountain is located in the Golden Ears Provincial Park, which is situated in the Coast Mountains of southwestern British Columbia, near Maple Ridge.

It’s about 40 minutes away from Vancouver but that’s to the entrance gates and you should allow another 20-40 minutes driving through the park to get to wherever you plan on going.

How to get to the Mt Golden Ears Trailhead

The trail to the Golden Ears summit starts from the West Canyon parking lot. This is the most popular Golden Ears Summit parking lot.

It’s small and gets full early on, so you may need to park elsewhere in the park.

From Vancouver, head towards Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge and then turn onto Dewdney Trunk Road.

Follow the signs to Golden Ears Provincial Park, cross over Golden Ears Bridge, and drive through the entrance gates to the park.

Stay on the Golden Ears Parkway until the road becomes a dirt road and keep a lookout for the West Canyon Parking Lot on your left.

Drive a short distance uphill and park in the gravel parking lot here.

Best time to hike the Mt Golden Ears Trail

The best time to hike the Mount Golden Ears trail in British Columbia will depend on several factors, including your personal preferences and physical condition, as well as the Golden Ears weather and trail conditions.

In general, the summer months of June, July, and August tend to be the best time to hike the trail, as the weather is usually warm and dry, and the trail is clear of snow and ice.

It is important to keep in mind that the weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, and it can be colder and wetter at higher elevations, even during the summer months.

It is always a good idea to check the weather forecast and be prepared for a range of conditions, including rain, wind, and cold temperatures. It is also important to be aware of your physical limitations and to hike at a pace that is comfortable for you.

Other Golden Ears hiking trails to explore

Mount Golden Ears is located in the Golden Ears Provincial Park, which is home to a number of beautiful hiking trails that offer a variety of challenges and experiences.

Whether you’re looking for a challenging summit climb or a leisurely stroll through the forest, there’s a hike in the park that’s right for you.

Here are some other good hikes in Golden Ears BC:

• Alouette Mountain: This is another of the popular Golden Ears Provincial Park hikes that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The hike to the summit of Alouette Mountain is moderate in difficulty and takes about 4-6 hours to complete.
• West Canyon Trail: This trail is a great option for hikers who want to experience the beauty of the park without tackling a challenging summit climb. The West Canyon Trail follows a gentle grade through the forest and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
• Lower Falls Trail: This short, easy trail takes you to a beautiful waterfall located in the park. The Lower Falls Trail is an excellent option for families or hikers who want to enjoy a more leisurely hike.
• Alouette Lake Trail: The Alouette Lake Trail is a beautiful loop trail that takes you around Alouette Lake, which is located near the trailhead for the Mount Golden Ears hike. The trail is about an 8 km round trip and is relatively flat, making it a good option for hikers of all skill levels.

You can find out more information about all of these Golden Ears Provincial Park trails on AllTrails with maps too.

FAQs on the Golden Ears Hike BC

Final thoughts on hiking to Panorama Ridge Golden Ears British Columbia

The Golden Ears Peak hike is a challenge. This is a long hike with a lot of elevation gain and you’re mostly walking on some tricky terrain over rocks and roots and up a couple of ladders too.

Don’t forget your Golden Ears Park trail map before you go on this great day hike or enjoy a Golden Ears backpacking trip!

However, it’s also one of the best hikes near Vancouver, and the views you get once you’ve finished hiking Golden Ears Summit are incredible!

You can see loads of Golden Ears Park British Columbia Canada including Pitt Lake and on a clear day, you feel like the views are never-ending from the summit of Golden Ears Mountain.

If you’re looking for more Vancouver hikes of a similar level, be sure to check out Brunswick Mountain, Mount Harvey, and Black Tusk in Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Looking for more things to do in Vancouver and nearby? Check out my Vancouver travel guides which are full of information on the best things to do in Vancouver, the best Vancouver restaurants, and detailed guides for each of the main neighborhoods.

Last Updated on September 21, 2023 by Hannah