Mt. Alouette (1370 m)

Blanshard Needle from snowy summit plateau of Mt. Alouette

Location: Golden Ears Provincial Park
Driving Time: 2 hr each way from metro Vancouver
Ascent Time: 3.5 hrs
Complete Time: 7 hours
Start Elevation: 250 m
Max  Elevation: 1370 m




This was my first venture into popular Golden Ears Provincial Park north of Maple Ridge in lower Mainland.  I learned about Alouette peak from "Don't waste your time in BC Coast Mountains" by Kathy and Craig Copeland (out of print for quite some time).  The authors,  who climbed the peak in mid May,  wrote "summit views excited us more than if we'd waited until summer". Well, since I am all about the views -- I thought it would be nice to check it out as it was still early in the season. I also wanted to get general feeling for the park, as Golden Ears summit was my major objective for the year.

The drive to the park is not fun part. It is all slow going through larger Vancouver metro area. I went via Port Moody, then joined Lougheed Highway in Port Coquitlam but it might be faster to go east on Trans Canada, then exit across Golden Ears bridge to Maple Ridge. Following the maze of streets I had to consult the guidebook on several occasions, but eventually reached the park gate after close to 2 hours of driving.

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Entrance Gate to Golden Ears Provincial Park.  I purchased daily permit from the machine (cash or credit cards -- 3 CAD), then proceeded to Eric Dunning Trailhead at around 250 m of elevation. I started hiking at 1:30 pm -- typical 'Alpine' start for me.

Almost entire ascent is forest enclosed.  Initial part follows a maze of trails and deactivated forest roads, but correct direction is always indicated by park signs.  I don't generally enjoy hiking in the woods, but on occasion it was quite pretty. I also enjoyed sense of adventure -- hiking in the area I've never been to before.






Clearing and partial views of Alouette Lake at just over an hour mark from the start. Nice park bench and map here, so I took quick 5 minute break. Elevation gain up to this point was just a few hundred meters, but this was soon going to change.

Sign indicating turn from main FSR about 1 1/2 hours from the Trailhead. From now on elevation gain is rapid, as you crawl over and under the trees -- typical BC north shore hiking

Snow started around 850 m of elevation, but except for few inevitable postholes it was hard packed and I was able to keep good pace. Final slope was quite steep and my hiking poles were really helpful.  Eventually I reached the meadow bellow the summit after 3 1/2 hours of hiking. Great views north waited here to wild and untouched wilderness of Golden Ears park.

Final brief climb up snowy slope brought me to wide summit plateau of Alouette Mtn.  My immediate attention was occupied by pointy rock to the north buttress called Blanshard Needle. I wondered to north edge of drop-off that separates Alouette and Blanshard Needle. I saw someone steps in the snow heading down -- probably not more than few days old. The climb itself is reportedly not harder than class 4 -- see this Club Tread Report

Views were outstanding in all directions! Specially captivating was Robbie Reid directly north.  It is a difficult scramble, not listed in M. Gunn book. Typically done as 2 day trip with but extremely fit parties have done it in day.

Foreboding Judge Howay -- one of true challenges of North Shore Mountains.  Just the approach is the adventure in itself. It involves hauling the canoe for crossing of Stave Lake; 20 km of Mountain Biking on deactivated FSR followed by fording of Stave River and horrendous bushwhack with no trails on lower slopes. Upper part is 5th class roped climb. Few people can pride themselves for "detrouncing the Judge", but it has been done.

I took lengthy break and had late lunch on dry rock. I had the mountain to myself -- I wish I could have stayed longer, but it was already getting late and I didn't want to hike back in the dark. Before leaving I took one last shot north of Robbie Reid and Judge Howay duo. I'd later see these 2 famous mountains from many other summits in North Shore mountains.

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The descent was rather uneventful. It took me just 2.5 hours and I managed to get to my car without having to take the flashlight out of my Arc Teryx.  About 22 km return distance and 1100 elevation gain/loss gave me pretty good early season exercise.  I thought Alouette was better than expected, no doubt because of outstanding summit vistas. I was now looking even more forward to my climb of Golden Ears, which finally happened same year in early September!