Alouette Mountain Trail via Menzies and Alouette Trail

Alouette Mountain Trail via Menzies and Alouette Trail is one of the bigger days you can bite off in Golden Ears Provincial Park, just north of Maple Ridge. At 20.3 km with about 1,200 m of gain and a high point around 1,357 m, it’s a long, steady grind that usually takes strong hikers 7–8 hours. If you’re looking for a full-day leg burner with real mountain feel but still on a marked route, this one delivers.

The trail weaves through classic west coast forest, with a mix of roots, rocks, and a few bouldery sections, especially if you start from Mike Lake and take the Incline Trail. Higher up, things open just enough to give views toward Alouette Lake and the Golden Ears range on clear days, and the summit area has that big-sky, open-ridge vibe when it’s not socked in. It’s mostly about the workout and the changing terrain rather than a constant viewpoint stroll, but the payoffs do show up if the clouds behave.

Recent reports on Alouette Mountain via Menzies and Alouette Trail mention mud through the middle sections and deep, soft snow from roughly 1,100 m upward, with knee-deep postholing and unstable snow bridges near the top. Right now, snowshoes or at least crampons and poles are strongly recommended, and many hikers are turning around short of the summit as the afternoon sun softens the snow. Expect bugs once things warm up; tiny flies and mosquitoes can be relentless near the summit, so bring a head net and stronger protection than basic spray. This route tends to come into better shape later in spring and early summer, but always check Golden Ears road and trail advisories before you drive out.