If you’re looking for a thrilling hiking experience that combines breathtaking views, a bit of a challenge, and the joy of camping, backpacking Panorama Ridge in Golden Ears is your ultimate adventure.

Located just 1 hour from Vancouver, it’s the perfect weekend getaway! This backpacking experience was one of our favorites and we know you’ll absolutely love it too. Let’s dive into everything you need to know for an unforgettable journey.

Getting Started: Golden Ears Trail Overview

• Difficulty: Very hard
• Length: 22,5 km*
• Duration: 12 hours
• Elevation gain: 1 697 meters

*To the summit and not to the Panorama Ridge campground

Backpacking Panorama Ridge in Golden Ears begins on a relatively easy note. The trail leading up to Alder Flats Campground (at around 5 km) is smooth and manageable, making it a great warm-up. After Alder Flats, however, the trail transforms into a steep and technical climb.

This part of the hike is where the real adventure begins. Some sections require a bit of scrambling so this is where you’ll need to channel your inner mountain goat!  While it’s more challenging, the effort is well worth the reward, as you’re treated to increasingly stunning views.

The entire hike to Panorama Ridge Campground takes about 8 hours. Of course, it isn’t the same for everyone and it always depends on how heavy your bag is and if it’s a hot day. With its popularity and level of difficulty, starting early is key.

Not only will you beat the crowds, but you’ll also have plenty of daylight to enjoy the views and cooler temperatures for the steep climb, making your trek a bit more comfortable. Since hiking Golden Ears is really popular, starting early also means having more chances to secure your perfect camping spot

Where to Park at Golden Ears?

To reach Panorama Ridge Campground, we followed the Golden Ears Summit Trail on AllTrails, which seems to be the most popular trail to get there.

The starting point for this trail is at the West Canyon parking lot, so that’s where you’ll want to head. As we mentioned earlier, the parking lot was full by 10:30 a.m. when we arrived. However, don’t worry—there’s also roadside parking available. Just make sure you’re not parking in a restricted area. So, no need to stress about parking—you’ll find a spot! 

Booking Your Backcountry Permit

• Website : BC parks official website
• Price: 5$/adult per night
• Entry point: West Canyon

Before you set off on your backpacking adventure, make sure to book your backcountry registration through the official Golden Ears Provincial Park website. Permits can be reserved up to two weeks in advance, so plan ahead to secure your spot. Keep in mind that these permits don’t guarantee a specific campsite. It’s a first-come, first-served system, which is why it’s recommended to start the hike early.

Booking your permit is a straightforward process, and it’s also very budget-friendly, since the cost for the backcountry permit is 5$ per adult. Remember to choose “backcountry registration” otherwise you won’t see Golden Ears Park as your choice.

Also, if you plan on following the Golden Ears summit trail on Alltrails to get there (which we did), you should know that this one’s also called the Golden Ears West Canyon trail. Then, when you’re booking your backcountry registration, you should choose West Canyon for your entry point.

Camping on Panorama Ridge

After this hard climb, you’ll finally reach Panorama Ridge Campground, which is the perfect spot to rest. The campground offers six wooden tent pads that provide a flat and stable surface for your tent. If the pads are taken, don’t stress. There’s plenty of space to pitch your tent nearby.

When we arrived at the campground, there were around 70 people and we still got a great spot. We had an amazing view of sunset and the surface beneath our tent was half grass, half rock, which would have been perfect if our mattress didn’t break (oops such a great night)! Honestly, Golden Ears offers breathtaking views and no matter where you pitch your tent, you’ll be rewarded with great scenery.

Remember, campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Arriving early not only secures a good spot but also gives you more time to explore and unwind. Don’t forget to check out the sunset and the sky full of stars—it’s a sight you won’t want to miss!

The Panorama Ridge Campground also features a pit toilet and an emergency shelter (see below for more details). Additionally, there’s a water source where you can refill your bottles (check the section below). In short, Panorama Ridge Campground provides all the basics you need for a perfect backpacking adventure.

•  Another camping option: Alder Flats campground

If you want to extend your trek at Golden Ears, you can also book a backpacking permit for Alder Flats campground. Then, you could sleep one night at Alder Flats and the other one at Panorama Ridge campground to fully enjoy the experience.

During our hike, we saw many families with younger children sleeping at Alder Flats first. The trail to get there is about 5 km and is pretty easy.

Water Sources Along the trail

One of the best things about the Panorama Ridge campground trail at Golden Ears? You don’t need to carry a large amount of water, even at the end of summer! There are two water sources along the trail where you can refill:

• Alder Flats Campground – Perfect for filling up your bottles before the technical climb.
• Panorama Ridge – Even late in the season, water is usually available.

We did this hike as a backpacking trip in early September, and there was still water at both sources. Of course, we always recommend bringing a filter or purification tablets.

That being said, life happens… and we realized our filter wasn’t working at Alder Flats (oops!). Since the water comes from glaciers, we asked hikers on their way back if they had used a filter. They drank straight from the source and didn’t get sick, so we did the same. Everything went fine, but it’s always safer to have a filter or purification tablets just in case.

To check if water sources are still accessible on the trail, we recommend reading hikers’ comments on AllTrails before your trip. Looking at the reviews and the hike date will give you a good idea of whether water is still available. That way, you can better plan how much water to bring.

For us, we carried 5 liters between the two of us, but we could have brought less!

Essential Facilities: Pit Toilets and Emergency Shelter

When nature calls, you’ll be glad to know there are two pit toilets along the trail. The first is located at Alder Flats Campground, providing a convenient stop early in your trek. The second is at Panorama Ridge Campground, ensuring you’re covered even at the top. These simple facilities are a welcome addition to the trail, making your adventure more comfortable.

Behind the toilet at Panorama Ridge Campground, you’ll find an emergency shelter. Hikers often use this shelter to store food, keeping it safe from wildlife. However, we strongly recommend using a bear-proof food container.

It’s safer, more convenient, and eliminates the need to venture out in the dark to retrieve your supplies. Like we said earlier, this trail is really popular so your tent might be far from the emergency shelter. That’s why having a bear canister prevents you from going back in the dark to store your late-night snacks!

Reaching Golden Ears Summit

The Panorama Ridge campground provides stunning views of the surroundings, but it’s not the actual summit of Golden Ears. If you’re up for an extra challenge, you can head to the summit, which adds about 2 extra km (round trip). The elevation gain is quite intense, making the final section tough.  

Since the views at the campground are absolutely extraordinary and the climb is very demanding, we decided to stop at the campground. However, we’ve heard great things about the breathtaking views from the summit. It’s up to you to decide if you’re determined to reach the top, but don’t forget to listen to your body.  

If you choose the summit, we recommend first setting up your camp at the campground to leave as much gear there as possible. This way, you’ll be lighter and can enjoy a better experience. Also, since the trail isn’t well marked, we suggest using the AllTrails app to help you navigate, and make sure to bring a headlamp, as your return may be in the dark.

Trail Navigation Tips

The trail to Panorama Ridge campground is well marked for the most part, but things can get a little tricky near the top. This is where having a reliable navigation app like AllTrails comes in handy. It ensures you stay on track, especially in areas where the path isn’t as clear.

The trail is well marked when you’re in the forest, but once you reach the clearing and trees are really small, it gets harder to stay on the trail. As always, we were really happy to use AllTrails and we recommend using it too.

Bear Country Essentials: Why Bear Spray is a Must

Golden Ears is bear country, and while encounters are rare, it’s important to be prepared. Carrying bear spray is a non-negotiable safety measure. Make sure you know how to use it properly and keep it accessible at all times. Attach it to your backpack strap or belt for quick access.

Additionally, make noise as you hike to alert wildlife of your presence, and always store food and scented items securely to avoid attracting bears to your campsite. Being bear-aware not only protects you but also helps preserve the bears’ natural behaviors.

What to Pack for Panorama Ridge

Packing smart is essential for a successful hike. Here’s a quick checklist to get you started:

• • • Backpack: Comfortable and spacious enough for your gear.
    • Water Filtration System: For refilling at the trail’s water sources.
    • Bear-Proof Food Container: Essential for food storage.
    • Clothing Layers: Prepare for changing weather conditions.*
    • First Aid Kit: Always a must for backcountry adventures.
    • Headlamp or Flashlight: For early starts or late returns.
    • Trekking Poles: A must for steep and technical sections.

*While we packed our bags with warm clothes, it wasn’t as cold as we thought it would be at the campground. It wasn’t as windy as we would have expected. That said, we think it’s better to have more in case because we never know how mother nature will be. But we recommend finding a campsite more isolated from the wind for a quiet night.

Our Top Tips for Backpacking Panorama Ridge in Golden Ears

• Start Early: Beat the crowds and give yourself ample time to enjoy the hike.

• Pack Light: With water sources available, there’s no need to carry excessive amounts of water. We had 5 liters of water and could have brought less.

• Use Navigation Tools: The trail is well marked in the beginning, but becomes harder to find at the top. A reliable app like AllTrails is always a good backup.

• Plan Your Campsite: Aim for an early arrival to snag a tent pad (these are the first picked) or a good alternative spot.

• Be prepared: Bring bear spray, a headlamp, and clothing suited to the weather conditions.

Is Backpacking Panorama Ridge Worth It?

Absolutely! Backpacking Panorama Ridge in Golden Ears combines the thrill of a challenging hike with the serenity of camping in a stunning location. From the manageable start to the steep climb, the adventure is as rewarding as the destination.

As today, Golden Ears has been our most difficult hike in terms of elevation gain and techniques, but it’s also one of our favorite views we have ever had. The views, the challenge, and the sense of accomplishment are unmatched. Ready for the challenge? We hope you found this article useful and we can’t wait for you to experience this amazing and memorable backpacking adventure!

For more details and to explore the perfect 7-day itinerary at Chilliwack and Golden Ears Provincial Parks, check out our full article. Whether you’re into scenic hikes, camping under the stars, or discovering hidden gems, this guide has everything you need! Click here to read the full article:

You may also like