Golden Ears Trail

The signature hike in the park climbs to the ridge below the two summits that give Golden Ears its name. The return trip is 24 kilometres with around 1,500 metres of elevation gain — a full day out that requires solid fitness and appropriate gear. The trail starts at the West Canyon trailhead, follows West Canyon Trail through deep forest, then ascends the open ridge to the twin peaks.

The summit views on a clear day are among the best accessible from Vancouver: the Fraser Valley stretching south toward the US border, the Coast Mountains stacked to the north, and Alouette Lake a blue thread in the green below. The trail is well marked but steep in its upper sections, and snow lingers on the ridge well into June.

things to do sight
A story
The twin peaks of Golden Ears — the summits of Mount Blanshard — get their name from the way they glow amber in early morning and late afternoon light. Blanshard itself was named after Richard Blanshard, the first governor of the Colony of Vancouver Island, who never actually visited this part of the province.