hike the Grouse Grind

Lived in Vancovuer all my life, I’ve got to do it at least ONCE! I’m not the fittest person, and I have creaky knees, but I’m sure I can make it up there (even if it takes me 3 hours!).

More info here:

http://www.grousemountain.com/Summer/summer-activities/vancouver-bc-hiking-trails-trips/grouse-grind.asp

First time today and would definitely recommend it.
At first you may want to stop but once you have yourself going and then get to the top – it feels great! It was defintely hard work for a newbie like me! However, I took lots of breaks and did it in the average of one and half hour.

Haven’t done it in years, but it used to be a favourite every year.

Must do it again.

l&l
PS

maybe next year. i’m waaaaaaay out of shape now. what is grad school doing to me????

The first time up is hell because you don’t really know how to pace yourself, but I did it in just over an hour my second time (shaving 15 minutes off my time)

For a serious workout that’ll really kick your ass, I suggest the Stawamas Chief – it’s like the Grind but much harder on your legs as the trail isn’t nearly as well groomed so the steps are much bigger. After doing the grind a few times without so much as feeling a little sore the next day, the Chief had me in pain for a good few days afterwards.

Well, I’m no experienced hiker, esp as I live in london and the only mountains we have are political ones to climb… but I was in Vancouver long enough to hear about the grind, and despite my lack of fitness, and poor walking trainers(they were so battered before i climbed it) I went ahead and did the trail. Its not the half way that got me, but how long it took before i got to the 1/4 way mark, as it seemed alot further up that i had realised, but once you get that far, you have to keep going.. I love the fact many experienced hikers and locals do this regularly and there were plenty of ‘virgin’ hikers when i went up, so i felt i was in great company… would i do it again.. absolutely.. just a case of when i get back to do it.

Hiking the GRIND is worth every step. After you make the halfway mark – it becomes like a hike up the swiss alps or something. I prefer to do it alone, on a weekday when it is not busy. It’s better to have focus and not have 5 thousand others in front or behind you.

done done doneeeeeeee::::::: rounded, an hour 12. I was just happy to beat the avg hahaha, i’m not particularly in the best shape of my life. Summer has me eating out so often and skipping excercise, must have gained several pounds, so pretty glad this outing requires a solid workout. Foggy so not the best view, though it was all good, the last half was exciting, first half i guess a pain in the ass literally but best of all, they play good music at the top. :D

It is definite something most people can accomplish! I’ve done it about 4 times. It takes about 1:25 minutes if you are taking your time. I would recommend bringing a good size water bottle
on your trip up. Once finished you will experience the beauty of Vancouver. There are so many things to do besides getting some great shots of Vancouver. You can visit the 2 orphaned bears, watch the Eagle show or the Lumberjack show, take a chair lift down a life a see the deers, etc, check out the BC toursism show in the lodge….All these are FREE! Of course there is a pub, fine dining restaurant, etc to experience as well. It is free to climb the grind both up and down. If you want to take the Grouse Mountain Skyride down it is only $5! Well worth the trip.!!!