Evans Peak Hike & Trail Guide

Evans Peak is one of the most famous hikes in the Golden Ears Provincial Park near Vancouver in BC. This hike is famous for its rugged trail, grind, and panoramic view of the nearby peaks and lakes from the top.

If you’re looking for a short and thrilling hiking option that offers rewarding views, this is a great choice. Even though it will get your heart racing for a few hours, it won’t take up too much of your time. In fact, a fast hiker can complete this hike in under 4 hours, allowing you to be back home for lunch if you start early.

For those seeking a more ambitious adventure, you can combine this hike with a longer trek to Alouette Mountain. While I haven’t taken this particular route to Alouette Mountain, I’ve heard that it involves scrambling up a boulder field, so caution is advised when there’s snow on the ground. If I were to do it again, I would definitely combine Evans Peak and Alouette Mountain into one hike, as I prefer to maximize my efforts.

If you choose to stick to Evans Peak alone, be prepared for a steep and challenging forest ascent throughout the hike, with an average gradient of nearly 18%.

Evans Peak Hike Summary

• Rating: Hard
• Round trip distance: 10 km
• Elevation Gain: 3200 feet
• Time Needed: 5.5-6.5 hours
• Type: Out & back
• Season: July to October

Evans Peak History

Evans peak was named after Mr. Lesley Evans and his elder son John, after they went missing in the area on the 6th June 1966. The search lasted for two weeks and employed some 200 people from RCMP, Search & Rescue, CFB Chilliwack, Corrections, and local residents. It was among the province’s largest searches to date. Mr. Evans was survived by his wife Diane and three children George, David, and Dorothy.

Mr. Evans and his family were known and respected in the community. Family, friends, and the community petitioned the federal government to name the peak, valley, and creek after the family. The government granted the petition in 1969. The original cross plaque was placed on the peak by his sons Sgt George Evans and Sgt Davis Evans and members of the signals platoon from the First Battalion Grenadier Guards in June 1989.

Mrs. Diane Evans ashes were put to rest in the area as per her request by her sons George & David and grandsons Gavin and Daren in August 2003. The original cross and plaque were replaced the youngest son Captain David Evans, members of the 1838 Royal Westminster Regiment Cadet Corps and the Ridge Meadows Outdoor Club in 2014.

Evans Peak Hike Video

Evans Peak Hiking Route

Evans Peak Parking & Trailhead

Hike to Evans peak starts at West Canyon trailhead in Golden Ears Provincial Park near Vancouver. The parking lot gets full early so it is recommended to go early or you will have to park on the roadside leading to the parking lot.

New Day Pass Rule

As per the BC Parks website which says “Some of our most popular parks regularly experience high visitor volumes, resulting in crowded trails and facilities, packed parking lots, impacts to park’s environments and wildlife, local community concerns, and safety issues. In response to these concerns, BC Parks is piloting free day-use passes for the second year in five provincial parks: Garibaldi, Golden Ears, Mount Robson, Stawamus Chief, and Joffre Lakes Parks. You can get the free day pass here.

Trailhead to Viewpoint Trail Fork

The viewpoint trail fork is almost 400 meters from the parking spot. The first 400 meters is also flat. After 400 meters, you will reach the viewpoint trail fork on the left. Follow that trail.

Evans Peak Fork

After you take the viewpoint trail, the trail gets a little bit steeper until the next fork which is 1.8 Kms from the West Canyon trailhead. You will also see markers showing distance covered at 0.5 Km and 0.83 Km from the previous fork. There are also a few switchbacks along this trail. The trail is pretty straightforward and well-marked.

After 1.3 Km, you will cross a stream. From there, the next fork is 500 meters. Take a right at the fork and keep on following the trail. Evans Peak is around 2.5 Km from here. Also, the trail becomes a grind almost till the next fork of Alouette mountain and Evans peak which is around 1.4 KM from this fork.

You will gain an elevation gain of around 1900 feet in this 1.4 Km stretch. Also, this steep trail is full of roots, rocks, loose gravel, dead woods, logs, fallen trees, etc which further makes this trail more grinding and technical. Also, remember that while coming down the trail is hard on knees as well.

Alouette Mountain & Evans Peak Fork

From this fork, the Evans Peak is around 1 Km. The trail gets flat for the next 700 meters from this fork until the last ascend which lasts for around 300 meters. Also, the rope sections are located in the last part of the hike. just before the peak. You will also see a steep trail warning

Evans Peak

Evans Peak is basically a ridge giving you access to the west, east, and north sides of the viewpoints from different spots. Some of the famous peaks that you can see from Evans peak are Alouette mountain peak, Golden Ears Summit etc.

Evans Peak Hike Difficulty

Evans Peak has gained a reputation for its daunting steepness. With an average gradient of almost 18%, it’s definitely a challenging ascent. However, I personally found this hike surprisingly manageable and easier than other trails with similar inclines. Perhaps I was fortunate to feel energized on the day I tackled it, but I never found it excessively steep, and I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I reached the summit.

In terms of navigation, this hike is relatively straightforward. It’s important to watch your footing due to the steepness and loose terrain in the forested areas. During shoulder seasons, when there might be icy patches, it’s highly recommended to wear spikes or crampons to prevent any discomfort. Towards the end of the hike, there is a section with ropes where you’ll need to climb a rock face. While it’s a short section and doesn’t involve significant exposure to steep drops, it’s worth noting for hikers who might be apprehensive about such challenges.

Best time to hike Evans Peak

It may not be the most suitable choice for a picturesque summer day, as there are no noteworthy views until you reach the summit. Moreover, since the summit is relatively low, the vistas aren’t as spectacular as those offered by other hikes.

However, due to its lower elevation, Evans Peak remains manageable even when there is some snow or ice present. If you’re planning to hike during the shoulder season, it’s best to attempt Evans Peak between April and June, or from October to December. Personally, I wouldn’t prioritize this hike during the prime hiking season of July to September.

If your intention is to continue on to Alouette Mountain, it would be wise to save that portion for the summer months. The steep boulder field leading up to Alouette Mountain would present significant challenges in icy or snowy conditions.