South Evans Peak Trail

South Evans Peak Trail in Maple Ridge, British Columbia is one of those hikes that feels like a real objective, not just a stroll in the woods. It’s a 15.4 km out-and-back with about 1,076 m of gain up to roughly 1,124 m, rated difficult for good reason. Expect a long day, solid cardio, and a bit of hands-on scrambling near the top, but also big Golden Ears views if you hit it in good weather.

The South Evans Peak Trail starts with a long forest approach, mostly shaded and steady, before it joins the main Evans Peak route and the grade kicks up. Roots, loose rock, and a couple of rope sections keep things interesting on the final push, and the trail can feel steeper than the numbers suggest. On a clear day you’re rewarded with wide views over Golden Ears Provincial Park and the surrounding Maple Ridge mountains, and if you detour to Evans Peak, you still get a solid summit experience.

Recent hikers report snow starting about 200 m below the South Evans summit and turning back on a boulder field roughly 100 m shy of the top, then tagging Evans Summit instead, so expect lingering snow and variable footing in shoulder seasons. This route is not well marked in places, so download your map before losing service in the park and watch for key turns. The ropes and steep, rocky sections get slick fast, so this is not a good rainy-day choice; bring poles, good footwear, and dry clothes for the car, and plan this one for a clear summer or stable fall day when the effort pays off with views instead of fog.