Your escape into the wild can be fulfilled on this hike. It definitely doesn't have North Shore urban hoard appeal. Not that I'm dissing Mt.Seymour, Hollyburn/Cypress and Grouse --those are all great destinations --but to see fewer people there you have to get up early to hit the trails. Alouette Mountain differs in that it's a bit further east geographically, but less of a drive than to Squamish, offers great alpine views, and is less traveled.
Directions: From Vancouver head east on the Lougheed Highway; turn off heading north on 232nd Street and follow the signs into Golden Ears Provincial Park. Pass the goat entrance sign ..(this is a pretty obvious locator (no GPS needed here) because in the summer foreign tourists congregate here to photograph themselves much like they do at the totem poles in Stanley Park). pass the sign and turn left after 4 kilometres toward the Park Headquarters and keep left to Mike Lake. Park after 2 kilometres at the bottom of the Incline Trail (250 metres elevation).
Take time and hike through the second growth at an even pace. The forest is great and will give you a chance to marvel at the occasional cedar or hemlock that escaped the original logging before the creation of the park in 1927. The Incline Trail occasionally intersects a fire access road that switchbacks up the flank of Alouette Mountain. This road is used by equestrian and mountain bike traffic in small numbers, so pay heed and give them the right of way. After about 6.5 kilometres (732m elevation) the trail branches left down to 'Lake Beautiful' keep attentive for old growth in this area and see how different it is from the regenerated forest. Continue on the trail for another 2.5 kilometres and gain another 600 metres vertical and you'll be standing on the summit of Alouette Mountain. Do this hike; it's well worth the effort.
Other information:
Elevation Gain - 1100 metres High point - 1371 metres Topographic Map Stave Lake 92 G8 Port Coquitlam 92 G7 BC Parks Map Golden Ears Provincial Park Park Headquarters
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ByPosted By: Summit Man
- Mon Aug 27 11:21:17 EDT 2012
UpsideTrail is dry all the way to the summit but there are numerous blow downs and gnarly root covered sections on the upper third making for some tough slugging. Nice view of valley and surrounding mountains from the survey marker at the peak.
DownsideLack of water, particularly this year - never seen it so dry near the peak. There is usually a large patch of snow and several running creeks into September.
ByPosted By: karabas2012
- Mon Aug 06 16:08:19 EDT 2012
Commentit is 17 kilometers only if you take the long way up, avoiding two short cuts. I agree about 8 hours. It was for me exactly 4 hours up and three down (short stops on the way are not counted). I took both "short cuts". I would not call them really "short cuts" if we are talking about the time, not the distance. Time-wise they don't really give you any advantage over the longer route since the terrain you have to come through is more complicated.
ByPosted By: theoneandonlychevy
- Thu Jul 19 22:43:56 EDT 2012
Not Rated
UpsideGreat views and no crowds
Downsidethe bugs are relentless, i applied Off at every opportunity and still got bit like crazy.
CommentDid this hike just a few weeks earlier in July this time last year and wow, its crazy how much snow melts between those couple weeks in July. The snow is very manageable and easy to avoid/get around on. Typically this hike has breathtaking panoramic views but unfortunately some clouds rolled in juuuuust as we reached the top but I was able to find the plaque at the top of the mountain this time around. Loved it the second time as much as the first and would definitely do it again....maybe when the bugs are gone :P
ByPosted By: NickM
- Tue Aug 30 15:58:38 EDT 2011
UpsideExcellent views at peak<BR>Some beautiful forest<BR>Pretty empty
Downside85% has no views
CommentCompleted on 18 August. Quite a lot of snow for last 30 minutes or so but very manageable as no steep drops.
ByPosted By: goaroundglobe
- Sat Aug 27 00:27:52 EDT 2011
Not Rated
QuestionHas anyone been on this trail in August. We did Lions last weeked and it was covered with deep snow at the top. How about Alouette, is it possible to reach the peak already? Thanks!ANSWERS are in this forum: Snow conditions at the top of Alouette Mountain?
ByPosted By: theoneandonlychevy
- Wed Jul 06 15:47:17 EDT 2011
UpsideNot very busy at all and the views are amazing of Blanshard Peak. Its got various degrees of difficulty so its nice on the knees coming down.
DownsideYou're going to get wet no matter what. Tons of bugs too.
CommentJust did the hike yesterday. There is still quite a bit of snow. Fortunately its well marked and the snow is solid. Its fun to slide down on the way down too! Excellent views and overall a well worth it hike
ByPosted By: granolapher
- Mon Jul 19 13:21:37 EDT 2010
UpsideClose
DownsideBugs
Commentnew trail grooming on the bottom third, some mud in the middle third of the trail, some weak snow remaining on the top third, with the rocky sections exposed and dry.
ByPosted By: docdusty75
- Mon Jul 12 10:31:59 EDT 2010
Not Rated
UpsideGreat views at the top! Fairly easy trail with about 1km/100m elevation gain.
Downside#1) Mosquitos especially at the summit! They are fierce at the moment! #2) Truck got both windows smashed at the trailhead! Be aware there are little punks out there looking to try ruining your day!
CommentI had alot of fun on this trail. It was long but not too overwhelming. I did the trail fairly aggressively with a 15 min break at the top in 5 hr and 10 mins. I would have stayed longer at the top but the mosquitos were brutal. You don't need to pack protein bars because you will end up eating 40 grams of protein in the way of mosquitos! Most of the snow and muddiness is gone except for the last 200 m of elevation. Saw both fresh bear tracks and deer tracks near the summit which I thought was strange for this time of year. Lastly, don't leave anything in your car at the trailhead. Myself and another car had our windows smashed. They didn't steal anything but its still a $300 deductible for a single day of hiking on a Sunday!
ByPosted By: granolapher
- Sun Jun 06 22:10:11 EDT 2010
UpsideClose to home, not too many people
DownsideWet, and boggy
CommentEntire trail is well marked with both chips and tape. The middle third of the hike was extremely boggy, and quite grown in, with significant dead-fall to negotiate. The top third was covered with well consolidated snow.
ByPosted By: jayjardine
- Wed Aug 19 03:22:59 EDT 2009
UpsideSlow, steady burn. Great workout. Stunning views - rewarding "peek-a-boo" of the Blanshard Needle just as you near the top. We didn't see a soul on the mountain until just after noon on our descent.
DownsideYou will definitely get soaked, even in mid August, although the dampness kept the bugs away and made for a cool foggy effect in the forest. Lots of downed trees to climb over and there is one tricky section just before the last push where you can get off the trail (even though the rest is surprisingly well marked). IIRC, you need to head up and to the right, although intuitively you want to go straight.
CommentAn incredibly underrated trail. We did it in about 5 hours at an aggressive pace. There are plenty of slippery roots to watch out for, but also some fairly smooth and open sections where you can go faster on the descent.
ByPosted By: Satori
- Tue Aug 18 21:39:55 EDT 2009
Not Rated
Questionplanning to do the hike in a few days.
anyone who can help out with directions to the peak?????
dont want to get so close and not be able to reach it.
thanks!!ANSWERS are in this forum: the peak
ByPosted By: Valmet78
- Tue Jul 07 12:09:54 EDT 2009
Not Rated
QuestionClimbed Allouette, but couldn't find the trail to the peak. I came across a pond in a meadow, but lost the train from there. Where is the trail to the peak.
ThanksANSWERS are in this forum: How do you reach the top
ByPosted By: jeffvm
- Sun Jun 21 19:57:27 EDT 2009
UpsideNot busy at all. Trail is well marked with orange diamonds or ribbons. Nice looking forest for most parts of the hike.
DownsideDefinate lack of maintenance of the trail. Many fallen trees and low branches impede the trail. A lot of muddy sections higher up.
CommentNever made it to the peak. The whole hike took 6:45. Our group was tiring out, but I believe we were no more than 30 min from the peak (we did see it from where we stopped) There is still a lot of snow up top as of mid-June. Still heavy enough to walk on now, but our party had a few feet punching into hollow spots.
The trail seems to have been neglected, as there are many trees that obstruct the trail. And they don't all look as if they fell last winter. Even along the unused Fire Access road you'll have to duck under low branches. And since it rained a bit the night before, this made us wet.
The trail also has some awful muddy sections. We were filthy at the end of this hike.
I hope to try this hike again in August when the trail is in better shape. And on a sunnier day- it's still quite cool at the top when cloudy.
ByPosted By: oprth
- Tue Oct 14 23:23:46 EDT 2008
UpsideNice and quiet, was the only person on the mountain today. Steady incline and the access roads are a nice easy break from climbing.
DownsideRained the night before so it was very wet and muddy today. Lots of bushes and trees are overgrowing on the trail so my pants got soaked .
CommentMuch easier than the Golden Ears Hike. Approximately 13 Km each way if you start at the Alouette Mtn trail and take both shortcut trails. took me 3.5 hours up, and 2 hours and 45 mins down.
ByPosted By: Summit Man
- Wed Aug 20 22:26:36 EDT 2008
UpsideA moderately challenging day trip - count on 6-7 hours round trip at a steady pace. Rewarding views of the valley, Golden Ears and distant mountain ranges.
DownsideTrail getting overgrown in parts. Rocky and rooty at times makes for tough footing.
CommentLake Beautiful trail no longer exists so the only way to the top is along the old forest access road - rocky and getting overgrown. It would appear that there is no longer any trail maintenance other than what hikers contribute. Most water sources aside from one small creek at about 14 km are not drinkable without filtration/treatment - little snow melt remains in late summer. You can mountain bike up to the top of the second short cut (via the forest access road) ditch your bike and hike from there. Makes for saving time and an exhilerating return to the parking lot.
ByPosted By: Irkutianin
- Tue Jul 04 14:51:46 EDT 2006
UpsideNice trail. 4 hours up from Mike lake and 3.5 hours down. Lots of small creeks with clear water.
DownsideVery last part, just before the summit has no marks. You need to know where to go.
ByPosted By: trishkaka
- Sat Jul 12 23:34:09 EDT 2003
UpsideThis trail is a quiet one. Parking is absolutely not a problem, unlike many of the North Shore mountain trails. You will have to pay $5 but there's something satisfying about knowing you won't have to fight for parking. There are very few people who go up the trail, I saw only 6 on a Saturday. The view is pretty and most of the trail is in the forest so it doesn't get too hot.
DownsideThe trail itself is quite rooty. I fell about 5 times beause roots have a way of reaching out and grabbing your ankles. The bugs are also hideous! If you do this, go before the actual summer hits. I spent most of the time up top swatting lef, right, and centre.
CommentA fun trail, for the most part. I live in Vancouver so it was a 2 hour drive for me - people closer to Maple Ridge should do this. This would make a good shoulder-season trip... any other time there are too many bugs.
Posted By: Summit Man
Posted By: karabas2012
Posted By: theoneandonlychevy
Posted By: NickM
Posted By: goaroundglobe
Posted By: granolapher
Posted By: docdusty75
Posted By: jayjardine
Posted By: oprth
Posted By: trishkaka
