Grouse Grind Opens for the 2017 Hiking Season this Weekend
Ready to get sweaty? Vancouver’s most notorious hike, the Grouse Grind, will be opening this Saturday, June 17 at 6:15 am to kick off grinding season. Commonly known as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster”, the Grouse Grind takes you up steep and rugged terrain on a 2.9km hike up the mountain. It’s an intense workout with 2,830 stairs and an elevation gain of 2,800 feet.
This year’s opening of the Grind has been the latest in history due to a high snow pack and trail upgrades by Metro Vancouver. But, starting tomorrow, the Grind will be open daily for hiking.
Typically, people climb the Grouse Grind in an hour and a half, but it can take longer if it’s your first time attempting the climb. Depending on your fitness level, you can get your time below an hour, or you can take up to two hours. It’s a good idea to bring a water bottle with you and a dry shirt to change into after the hike if it’s raining.
Over 150,000 people hike the Grouse Grind every year, despite being named as “one of the most dangerous hikes in the world”. The most dangerous thing about the hike is the fact that people underestimate the challenge that awaits them. As long as you are prepared, you should be able to tackle the Grouse Grind without any problems.
Photo Credit: Grouse Mountain
Did you know: the Grouse Grind was first developed in 1981 by mountaineers looking for a challenging, convenient aerobic workout to sustain them for their longer hikes. Seeking a steeper route than the British Columbia Mountaineering Club trail, they began following well-worn animal paths in the rough, completing the new trail in the winter of 1983.
If you are planning to challenge yourself by climbing the Grouse Grind, remember that you will need to pay $10 to ride the aerial tram back down to the base. Tickets are available for purchase at the top of the hike. After you’ve clambered up the Grind, don’t forget to treat yourself to a nice, cool glass of beer with some nachos! You deserve it.
Getting to Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is an easy 15 minute drive from downtown Vancouver, located in the District of North Vancouver. For guest services and central reservations call: (604) 980-9311.
Driving Directions:
Follow Georgia Street through Stanley Park and across the Lion’s Gate Bridge. Take the North Vancouver exit to Marine Drive, then left up Capilano Road for 5 km (3.1 miles). Or, from the Ironworkers’ Memorial Second Narrows Bridge, follow Highway #1 westbound to Capilano Road Exit North.
Public Transit:
The public transit system offers regular service to the base of Grouse Mountain every half hour. Catch Bus 232 from Phibbs Exchange or Bus 236 from Lonsdale Quay. For more schedules and info visit the TransLink website.
Free Shuttle
There is also a daily shuttle that runs from Canada Place every 30 minutes from 9:00am – 1:30pm and again from 2:30pm – 6:00pm. Learn more on the Grouse Mountain website.
Location:
6400 Nancy Greene Way
North Vancouver, BC
Website: www.grousemountain.com