Hiking Up the Grouse Grind

The morning light on the Grouse Grind

After many many years, we did the Grouse Grind again. One can't consider themselves a Vancouverite if they haven't done the Grouse Grind. Some people do this monthly, weekly and even daily! I can't imagine doing it so often!

My young nephews had done it recently so it was something I wanted to try again, just not on my own!

Endless wooden stairs along the 2.9km trail

We went very early this morning, arriving just after 8am and started around 8.22am. We wanted to avoid the heat and it was good that not many people were there either. However, soon after we started, I found the trail tough, as I was not used to going up so many stairs, and huffed and puffed my way up. 

The 2.9km trail is divided into 40 sections, and every quarter of the way there was an AED, or automated external defibrillator kit attached to a tree in case someone needed it! We took breaks along the way, and at the halfway point I ate a power bar and immediately felt better -- I needed that extra energy and water. I drank a lot of water!

I wasn't the only person struggling, others were too, and some were regulars who had the Grouse Grind pass around their necks. They were impressed the kids were going up so fast and hardly breaking a sweat!

My face was so red -- but I told my relatives that it also gets red after a 5K run -- so this was normal. Boy was I so relieved when I saw the clearing towards the top and the sound of the gondola meant I was near the end! I rounded up the rear and not including all the breaks, made it in 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Stunning views of Vancouver below

Thankfully there was a water station up at the top as well as washrooms, and you could buy snacks to refuel. 

Since we were up there we did a quick walk around and saw the Grizzly Bear habitat. We saw one bear, around 24 years old, who has lived up there for over 20 years. I had no idea Grouse Mountain had this area for two Grizzlies. The one we saw was cooling off in the small pond, humans staring at him in his enclosure protected with an electric fence. The bear was neutered to keep his testosterone in check.

There's also a lumberjack demonstration, where they throw axes, climb up a tall tree pole, and walk on logs in the water, but we were too early for the first show.

As we walked back a girl flew over us on a zipline which looked exciting and terrifying at the same time!

A Grizzly cooling off in the water

We took the Blue Grouse Gondola down, which costs $20 for adults, $10 for children. That was fun in itself, and much faster than the old school gondola which is still running on another track!

Don't think I'll be doing the Grouse Grind anytime soon, but now I understand why so many people do the Stairmaster machine at the gym!