Evans Peak Trail

Evans Peak Trail in Golden Ears Provincial Park, near Maple Ridge, is one of those hikes that feels more like a workout than a walk. The stats say 8.9 km and 968 m of gain, but most recent hikers are clocking closer to 12–13 km round trip and 4–6 hours, not the 1 hour 15 minutes shown in some listings. Expect a very difficult, steep grind that rewards strong legs, good footwear, and a bit of grit.

The Evans Peak Trail starts off fairly tame on a forested path, then ramps up into a Grouse Grind–style climb without the stairs. The second half is where it gets serious: long, steep sections with roots, loose rock, and two to three rope-assisted scrambles near the top. On a clear day you’re looking at big views over Alouette Lake and out to Robie Reid and Judge Howay, plus a nice little waterfall partway up if you keep your eyes open.

Recent reports mention minimal or patchy snow and no need for snowshoes most of the time, but wet roots, rock, and sections that turn into a creek after rain make the descent slow and slick. The ropes are generally solid, but you need to be comfortable using your hands, and dogs usually can’t make the final rope sections. Plan for poor cell service, start early (not after 1 pm for a day hike), use offline maps to avoid wandering onto side trails, bring poles if your knees complain on steep downhills, and aim for a clear, dry day if you want those summit views to really pay off the effort.