Golden Ears Park--15K hike with the family. My daily Actifit report.

Today started out like every other day. Going for a walk with the dog.

However, this walk with the dog was a little different than usual.

Today I went with my wife and oldest son to Golden Ears Park to do a 15K hike.

We had to drive there which is never super fun.

and we were heading off into the coastal mountain range north of Vancouver

.

It is about a 45min drive from my home so close enough to do on a Sunday morning but long enough that I don't do it all the time.

I know I'm getting closer when I leave city roads and get to roads like this one.

Now Golden Ears Park is HUGE and there are many many trails. There are campgrounds. Lake to boat on. Mountains to climb. Plus trails, lots and lots of trails that go on for many kilometers.

Parking is free which is great. Although it can get very busy during the day so best to come early and get a spot.

The trails are well marked which is really important. They go on for many kilometers (I think it was like 15km trek to hit the end of the trail with MANY side trails. Best to look for the red star markers on trees and signs at intersections to make sure you don't get lost.

We started off on the East Canyon trail which is marked as an Easy trail. Supposed to take about 4 hours and be around 9km.

The first thing we were greeted with was an old snag. Doesn't look very impressive, just a dead old tree...however, it has lots of bugs and stuff living in it so its important as food source for birds...or so I have been told, I'm not a nature specialist.

The route starts off very easy. Smooth flat trail with tall tall trees on every side.

What a wonderful way to start off the day. My wife is walking the dog, I'm chatting with my son and the trees give shade from the sun.

Some impressive looking GIGANTIC rocks along the way. I wish I could give you an impression of how large they are.

As we continue walking we see a mountain stream. The first of many that we come across along the walk.

We also start going up and at this point we are looking and its a fairly long way down. Little did I know that we would be going a lot higher.

Mostly we crossed the streams on large rocks across the path.

Although sometimes the rivers ran right down the pathway.

And sometimes we had bridges over the streams. This one had two HUGE fallen trees across a little gorge with a river underneath.

Very pretty creek even if it was hard to get a nice picture of it.

Then we got to the first fork in the path. We could either head left to the lower falls trail or north to a viewpoint.

It was very nice that there was an easy to read trail marker to help us make out decision.

We also found another cool old snag that people had decided to decorate with rocks from along the trail.

We decided to head up to the lookout point.

There we found a useful stopping point along the path.

Always nice to find a washroom along the route.

At this point we were about 4km into the trip so it would be far enough that if you had to go this would be about the time.

However, you might want to think twice.

The door falling off its hinges isn't a great sign.

Its still spring so they haven't prepared for summer tourists yet. No toilet paper and its pretty rough inside.

But if you gotta go...

..... well, think twice..

..... there is a reason my family have named them "Desperation Stations". Nice to have...but only if you are desperate.

Anyways, we keep on going and reach the viewpoint. Well, it was a little flooded

but only a minor detour and then we reacheed this.

A beautiful view of the mountains.

My wife hamming it up showing off the wonderful view

My son was skipping stones

On the crystal clear water.

We stopped and drank some water....which we carried in. The river water is clear but still can have bacteria which can cause "Beaver Fever" .. won' kill you but give you diarrhea.

We snack on some crackers and nuts we brought along. Let the dog off leash to run free for a little bit.

Took a little break sitting on the stones and looking at the beautiful peaceful river and mountains.

Then we go back to the fork in the trail. At this point we have a decision. Go back 4.5km on the path we went up on...

....Or follow the other path and do a larger loop. That will add at least another 6km to the trip.

With a beautiful inviting bridge like this one how can we go any other way than the longer route.

We end up on a much rockier path than we were on before. However, we get to see a cool old stump like this one, decorated with stones from the trail.

and my wife finds this cool, heart shaped spot in a toppled tree.

And after a short trip we end up at hikers beach.

Which is actually more rocky area along a small rapid part of the river. However it is still kind of cool so we investigate for a little bit.

Now we have been travelling for around 6km and this should be around the halfway point. I'm looking forward to the trip back.

However, now it gets a LOT rockier and a lot steeper. The rocks here are everywhere and they are BIG

I had my son stand beside one and you can see how it is easily 10x his width and many times taller. Impressive sized stone!

Jumping from rock to rock. Heading up steep rocky slopes. It is getting tiring but can't turn around now.

Seeing this stand of old trees reminded me of something my father told me. Nothing grows under the canopy of the old trees because no light reaches the bottom. Not great for animals because there is no grass to eat.

He encouraged cutting old trees because it encouraged growth of new grass and foliage for the animals.

I can't say I agree with him, but I certainly thought about those words while I was looking at this area.

I also had to take a picture of this old stump. A reminder that the new generation grows out of the old one. That important to me because while my days are limited it reminds me that when I go I am still providing for those who come after me.

Here's another image to show that point. New growth coming from out of the old.

We kept going along the increasingly rocky trail and we kept going up.

And up, and up....

Until we finally reached the Gold Creek Lookout.

Where we could see just how far up we came.

Where could see how far we had come!

Unfortunately it wasn't a nice easy slope down from here.

There was still more going up.

With rough trails.

Then I took a look up instead of looking at the trail. WOW it was steep and impressive.

Then finally things started going down and I was thinking. Yay...except then I noticed it wasn't smooth and easy but still very rocky.

Not exactly smooth sailing.

Then we finally reached a distance marker. It may seem insignificant but it was HUGE for me.

It was a sign that I was on the right path because it was rocky enough a person could wonder. It also showed that I was only 3.5km away from the parking area.

I didn't have the heart to tell my wife that it actually wasn't OUR parking area and that we would still have to walk after we got there.

However, it would be A parking area which means walking on a road which would be way easier.

Luckily about 15min after starting to go down things got easier.

Rocky and gently sloping down.

Then gravelly and gently sloping down! Horray.

My feet were getting pretty sore from stepping on the uneven rocks. Even with hiking boots.

My son was complaining about going downhill because his toes were getting cramped and squashed.

Then we started seeing streams again so we knew we were getting closer.

Then the mossy trees that we were seeing closer to the parking area. So I knew we were getting closer still.

Then the 0.5km marker!

I was so happy to see that marker. It was actually 0.5km from the Lower Canyon parking area and we were are the Gold Creek camping area but we were still close!.

We found a trail marker telling us to take the final path and them....

My wife still wanted more pictures near the end of our journey.

Then my son saw proof we were very close....

The one way bridge we crossed before getting to our parking lot.

We were back in civilization and 5min away from our SUV.

I think my wife's smartwatch said we did 16km. I know I had done over 22K steps.

My son offered to drive the 45min back home and I was very happy to much some snacks in the car, drink my coca cola, and rest my weary legs.

My heel was sore.

My back was sore.

I had a headache.

....But I was so happy I got to spend my day with most of the family.

....A little sad my youngest son decided he wanted to visit his girlfriend instead

.....but if he came he probably would have complained the whole time.

After the trip none of us really wanted to cook dinner so...

Dinner out!

Now I hate sushi and seafood but I had to give my son his favorite....

Then get home...Have a nap...then invite all you Actifitters along for my journey.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures and if you ever visit BC, Canada and want to see nature....come and visit for yourself

Just bring good shoes ;)

Until tomorrow.
This report was published via Actifit app (Android | iOS). Check out the original version here on actifit.io

Daily Activity, Hiking, Photowalking, Walking