VANCOUVER - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 131

Burnaby Mountain Park
This large park north of the Trans-Canada Highway surrounds the campus of Simon Fraser
University, the province's second-largest campus, with a student population of 17,000.
Centennial Way (off Burnaby Mountain Parkway) leads to the park's high point, where
views extend down Burrard Inlet to North Vancouver and its stunning mountain backdrop.
Also at the summit is a collection of totem poles, Japanese sculptures, a rose garden, and a
restaurant. The university is worthy of inspection. Its unique design of quadrants linked by
a massive fountain-filled courtyard is typical of architect Arthur Erickson, who was partly
responsible for its design.
Golden Ears Provincial Park
Encompassing 62,540 hectares (154,540 acres) of the Coast Mountains, this park extends
from the Alouette River, near the suburb of Maple Ridge, north to Garibaldi Provincial
Park. To get to the main facility areas, follow Highway 7 east out of the city for 40 kilomet-
ers (25 miles) to Maple Ridge, then follow signs north. Much of the park was logged for
railway ties in the 1920s, but today the second-growth montane forest—dominated by west-
ern hemlock—has almost erased the early human devastation. The park access road follows
the Alouette River into the park, ending at Alouette Lake. The river and lake provide fair
fishing, but the park's most popular activity is hiking. Lower Falls Trail begins at the end
of the road and leads 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles) along Gold Creek to a 10-meter (33-foot)
waterfall; allow one hour each way. Across Gold Creek, West Canyon Trail climbs 200
vertical meters (660 feet) over 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) to a viewpoint of Alouette Lake.
Accommodations
The Kingsway is a main thoroughfare linking downtown to Burnaby. It is lined with a smat-
tering of inexpensive motels—perfect if you want to save a few dollars and like the con-
venience of being a short bus ride from downtown. Another advantage is that you won't
need to worry about parking (or paying for parking).
$50-100
The least expensive motel in this sprawling suburban area immediately east of downtown is
the Happy Day Inn (7330 6th St., 604/524-8501 or 800/665-9733, www.happydayinn.com ,
$78-108 s or d). Each of the 32 rooms is brightly decorated and air-conditioned. Amenities
include a small fitness facility and a sauna. To get there, take Edmonds Street east from the
Kingsway to 6th Street.