to explore the Great White North, and admire some of the spectacular
wildeness nearby
Planted by the Secret Gardeners on December 29, 2002
British Columbia's Golden Ears Provincial Park Series #1
Nearest town - Maple Ridge, BC.
Degree of Difficulty - Easy
This 3 box series "Park Pooch", "Golden Ears" and "Alouette" makes an
easy morning or afternoon outing. Take along a picnic to enjoy by
Alouette Lake. Additional information and maps as to the location of the
park can be found at the following website:
http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/golden.htm
Golden Ears is one of the largest provincial parks in British Columbia,
encompassing an incredible 55,590 hectares of mostly undeveloped
wilderness. It is also one of, and possibly the most popular park in
the province. The park was named after the twin peaks of Mount
Blanshard, which shine gold from the setting winter sun. Golden Ears
lies in the Coast Mountains, north of the mighty Fraser River. It
extends 55km north through untamed mountain wilderness to an
impenetrable barrier of mountain peaks and steep-sided valleys that
separate it from Garibaldi Provincial Park. Second-growth forests of
western hemlock, western red cedar, and Douglas fir cover much of the
landscape. At higher elevations, forests give way to alpine meadows
and, at even higher elevations, permanent snowfields.
Once at the Park, enjoy the scenic drive until you reach and cross over
the bridge at Gold Creek. If the North Beach campground is open, turn
right and drive to the Visitor parking. If the campground is closed, you
will have to park on the left, at the trail parking lot and walk from
the yellow gate to the visitor parking.
The first box you seek is the home of "Park Pooch". From the visitor
parking, walk into the campground and stop at the Information Kiosk.
Check the map to find the gate that is between sites #20 and #21. When
you get there, follow the trail from the gate, down, towards North
Beach. Very shortly you will come to a notice forbidding you to light
fires - with your back to this sign, facing down the trail at 120', spot
a huge moss covered giant on the south side of the trail. When the Pooch
arrived there, he turned left to explore the twisted and gnarled root
before sensing a comfortable spot at 10:00 from the huge root. You will
find him there, left of a Hemlock and beneath a stone. Take care you
don't slip!
Back on the trail, still heading for the lake, you'll be chasing a
"wabbit", also known as "Golden Ears ". Keeping to the main trail till
you reach a clearing, circle around the old water pump and give it a try
before proceeding over to read the information on the Renewable Energy
in Golden Ears Provincial Park. Stop at the Long House, knock on the
door and say Hello! Before heading over to the wood shack. From here you
will spot a huge stump quite close, line this stump up with a moss
covered rock below and to the right, with another stump on the hill. "
Golden Ears " is in his rabbit hole beneath.