Alouette Mountain via West Canyon trail

Alouette Mountain via West Canyon trail is one of the tougher grinds in Golden Ears Provincial Park, just outside Maple Ridge, and it fully earns its “extreme” tag. The stats say 9.3 km with about 1180 m of gain, but most locals clock it closer to 14–17 km return depending on tracking. It’s steep, sustained, and technical, but the big open summit plateau and wide views over the Lower Mainland make the effort feel worth it on a clear day.

The West Canyon approach eases you in for the first couple of kilometres, then the real climb starts and barely lets up. Expect long forested sections with roots, eroded dirt, and a few rough bits that feel like light scrambling, followed by a boulder field and then a rocky push to the top. Once you pop out on the Alouette Mountain plateau, there’s lots of room to spread out for a lunch break and soak in the surrounding peaks when the clouds cooperate.

Recent hikers report a very steep, slippery descent with loose dirt and rocks, so poles are strongly recommended to save your knees and keep you upright. Snow often lingers past the Evan’s Peak junction and around the boulder field, with sketchy hidden holes between rocks; in shoulder season, microspikes and solid judgment are smart. In summer, expect swarms of tiny non-biting flies and bring a bug net if that drives you crazy, plus plenty of water since there aren’t many reliable sources higher up. This route is best tackled in good weather from late spring to fall, with an early start from the West Canyon parking lot and a solid fitness base.