GET LOST IN MEADOWS MAZE

Pitt Meadows, British Columbia
by Susie Lee

Every summer nearly one million stalks of corn are cut into two challenging mazes which span over 6.3 kilometers. Meadows Maze proudly creates new elaborate maze designs every year for people to explore and find their way out on their 17 acre field. See if you can beat the fastest recorded time of 35 minutes in getting out of Meadows Maze, the largest corn maze in the Pacific Northwest.

FEELING LOST

I was out of breath running frantically in the maze trying to find my way out but kept running into dead ends. All I saw around me were tall corn stalks reaching up to the sky and a wide wood-chip path behind and in front of me. Corn mazes are life size games of trial and error. The only way to get to the end of the maze is to keep trying. Cheating is not an option in this game nor is following someone who could also be lost.

I don't think a compass would have helped me get out of the maze any faster. They say the average person can complete the maze in 1-1½ hours. The fastest recorded time was 35 minutes. Today was not my day to break the record. If you're really stuck finding your way out, you can wave a flag at one of the stations and the Corn Cop will come rescue you. Eventually I found my way out of the maze thanks to a map of the maze that the Corn Cop gave to me. So here’s a tip: Grab a map of the maze by the admission booth. You don’t have to use it if you don’t need it, but it’s good to know that you have one when you get lost like I did.

Only an aerial view will give you the big picture of the corn maze design and a sense of where you are. Meadows Maze uses a state of the art Global Positioning System to determine where the tractors need to turn and cut into the corn field. In past years, they have designed eagle, bear, beaver, moose, and bee hive mazes in their corn field. You can see all of the amazing past designs on their website.

Looking at the corn gave me an appetite, but not tempting enough to eat one because this corn is used to feed cattle and is not for human consumption. Take my word for it and don't find out the hard way that this corn does not taste the same as the ones in the grocery stores.

FINAL THOUGHTS

In addition to the maze, Meadows Maze has a great petting farm containing a variety of adorable baby animals. Besides the corn maze and petting zoo, they also offer good old fashion hay rides and homemade goodies at the Cranberry Meadows Market. Kids can have fun riding on the train, sliding down a 40-foot tube or trying the Corn Cannon.

ADVENTURE TIPS

• Meadows Maze is a seasonal attraction which runs from July to September
  (check their website for lastest schedules)
• Check the weather forecast before you go, the maze maybe closed due to wet weather
• Avoid going during mid day during hot summer days, temperatures are cooler around dinner time
• Corn and honey bees may cause allergic reactions in some people
• Bring flashlight and warm clothes, if walking at night
• Wear a hat and comfortable shoes
• Carry a bottle of water
• Bring a cell phone right down the phone number of the office on your ticket stub (in case you get lost)
• Bring a camera

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Meadows Maze
13672 Reichenbach Rd.
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia
(604) 460-0603
www.meadowsmaze.com

+ Part 1: POLAR BEAR SWIM
+ Part 2: BIRD SANCTUARY
+ Part 3: MEADOW MAZE
+ Part 4: MUSEUM OF FLIGHT
+ Part 5: FLYING SCHOOL

+ Download PDF One-sheet
+ Meadows Maze