Alder Flats and Canyon Trail Loop

The Alder Flats and Canyon Trail Loop in Golden Ears Provincial Park near Maple Ridge is a solid choice if you want a longer day out without full-on mountaineering. At about 14 km with roughly 589 m of gain, it’s rated moderate, but many people clock closer to 17 km if they link in Lower Falls and both canyon sides. Expect 4.5–5 hours on your feet, more if you like to linger at viewpoints, creeks, and waterfalls.

Starting from the West Canyon side, the trail rolls through classic Golden Ears forest: wide, shaded paths, roots, rocks, and stretches that feel more like walking in a creek bed after wet weather. Alder Flats makes a good turnaround or rest spot, and strong hikers sometimes push on toward Panorama Ridge from here. Most people loop back via East Canyon and the Lower Falls area, which adds some variety, a few short scrambly bits, and a cold soak in Gold Creek if you’re keen.

Current conditions on the Alder Flats and Canyon Trail Loop are very mixed, and you need to plan around Evans Creek. The bridge on West Canyon is washed out and the crossing ranges from easy rock-hopping in low flow to sketchy and dangerous after rain; in high water, treat it as a no-go and use East Canyon instead. Expect wet, muddy sections, a few washed-out bits of trail, and occasional route-finding issues near the higher gain. Waterproof boots, poles, and even gaiters are smart, bug nets help in summer, and you should be bear-aware around Alder Flats, where there’s now a proper bear cache. There’s no cell service, day passes and parking fill early on weekends, and shoulder season or drier stretches are the most straightforward time to tackle this loop.