Anyone been out around the crooked falls area? Wondering what the snow pack is like out there, thinking about hiking to the falls this weekend.

Thinking about doing my annual jaunt to the Elfin Lakes this weekend. Any recent reports on the road to the parking lot? It's all clear, I hope?

Does anyone know the conditions up at Alder Flats in Golden Ears this time of year? Should I expect snow? I'm hoping to head up on the 23rd/24th of April. Any info is appreciated!

I was up at Evans Creek 3 days ago and met a fellow who had just come down from the flats. Said there was snow there starting about 6 inches up to a foot as he went up a bit past the flats. Said he saw some tracks continuing on as well. Mentioned microspikes might come in handy.

I went up Evans Peak today (Apr. 27) Snow starts around 800m (between lookout and Alouette/Evans junction). Put on gaiters around 900m. Snow was mostly firm and supportive (can kick steps in) until the top of Evans which had several feet of soft, wet snow. There were some bare sections of trail on the steep, roped areas just before the summit, but some sketchy terrain where snow is melting out around logs, creeks and trees so take it slow. On my way down I passed a group that turned around as they weren't prepared for snow and another group much lower down that were very surprised when I told them they still had about 1.5 hours to reach Evans Peak and that there was lots of snow.

Grouse Grind is pretty well clear of snow, despite the month-old picture that @MetroVancouver is tweeting. There were several people enjoying the trail.
Picture they are tweeting:

Picture from today 2018-04-28:

Nesakwatch Creek road is washed out about 2 km before Slesse Memorial trailhead.

Trail is in good shape to Memorial. Snow starts at Memorial. Still lots of snow above that. Firm enough to not need snowshoes.

Has anyone recently traveled in that area? I only have a 2WD. Would that suffice? Thank you

Parking at the hwy will only add 1 to 1.5 km flat walking to your day (each way), IIRC...

Was just at Golden Ears today doing the canyon loop across the bridge, so here's a current conditions report:

West Canyon trail is in good condition at least as far as where it branches to head to Alder Flats or the bridge. Alder Creek is running pretty fast and high right now, so fording to reach Hikers' Beach from the west is probably a bad plan.

East Canyon is in good condition up to Hikers' Beach around 4.5km, but officially unmaintained beyond that. When I was up there in early April it wasn't too bad up until around the 6.5km mark (Thistle beach?) where it was basically impassable due to water in the creekbed.

The connector from East Canyon to Upper/Burke Falls is a bit leafy, but passable. The trail from Upper Falls down to Lower Falls is fine if you know the way, but it's not very clearly marked ever since BC Parks took down all the flagging ribbon a few years back.

The last little bit of Menzies Trail leading from West Canyon water tank down to the car bridge over Gold Creek is definitely leafy, and doesn't see as much traffic as the rest of the trails.

Any update on trail condition? Doable in microspikes? I don't have snowshoe but have microspikes. I wouldn't mind some snows on the trail but not too risky with microspikes.

Cheakamus Lake Rd is fully open (potholes), big tree across the trail just before the Helm Creek t/o....

did you make it onto the trail, how was that in terms of snow coverage?




Also if anyone has an update on Manning park, specifically Heather trail to Nicomen lake, I would really appreciate any info on the snow levels. Thanks!! The Web cams for the areas make things seem ok, however the bcparks page sounds like there is still snow in lightning lakes area which could be problematic.

Hey Andrew, the alpine road is opening for the first time this weekend only to the Cascades lookout, not to the Heather trailhead yet. There's still probably a few meters of snow up top.

Hi dogue

Thanks for the update. Now for some questions:
Alder Creek: where is this? Do you access this from the West Canyon?
Hiker's Beach from East Canyon: do you mean Viewpoint or the little area across Gold Creek from Viewpoint?
Trail from Upper Falls to Lower Falls: is there actually a trail from the upper to the lower or do you mean the trail off east canyon trail to the lower falls? If there is a trail from upper to lower i'd sure like to access it.
Thanks!