Grouse Grind: West Vancouver
Grouse Grind: (Grouse Mtn) West Vancouver
Difficult, steep, narrow, steps, rocks
Elevation: 893 meters
Length: 2.9 km's one way: must take Sky Ride down (can do additional hikes at the top)
Dogs: No
Pit Toilet: TH start and TH end
Steps: 2, 830
Cost: $15 Sky Ride down fee (yearly pass available and use $15 you spent within 7 days)
Parking: $4.00 for the day (June 2019)
GG Hours: Not open all year. Check website to see open times: metrovancouver.org
More Info: www.grousemountain.com/grousegrind
Hiking Checklist:
Backpack, 10-essentials, hiking boots or trail runners, tell someone
Directions: Drive to West Vancouver and take exit 14; stay right and drive up to the road to the very top. There's parking on the right or left lots. They fill up fast so arrive early. www.grousemountain.com/driving-directions
Trail: GG trail etiquette:Stay right unless to pass. Rocky start with some deep rock stairs. The Grouse Grind is numbered now, forty is your goal. Also the famous 1/4, 1/2 & 3/4 trail signs still present. Wooden stairs follow and then some more rocky stairs. Cross the wooden bridge. You are at 11/40. Not far along you are at the 1/4 marker. Here they suggest turning around if you feel tired as it only gets harder and it is true. A little bit farther and some wooden stairs that is not too steep. Gives you a little bit of happiness and the only level part of the grind. Keep going up rock stairs and past some safety netting. Then some man made wooden stairs. They are a little short so going up two at a time seems to be what people do. Soon after you’re at the 1/2 way marker with benches to rest. Once rested keep going. Keep going up the wooden stairs to some rope and handy wooden railings. The next section is steep climbing little wooden steps. Some rocks to follow then more steps but a handy rope to balance you. There’s some more netting to keep you safe as you make your way up. More rocks and nets but ropes to help you up and keep you safe. Then a metal railing to help you along. A few boardwalks and more stairs with nets, wire railings and wooden. A few rocks to climb up. Then you come to man made stairs that are a title bigger. Pace yourself here as it’s steep. Finally you reach the 3/4 marker. You are on your way to finish this one. This is still steep but the shortest section of trail. You’ll cross another boardwalk then more steps. These ones you can see once around the corner a ton to go up. Soon it’s your final ascent to your goal. The light is coming the rough and you are almost at your goal. The last bit are some rocks to go up. Once out in the open keep going tot he bottom of the chalet stairs where officially the trail end is. Don't forget to see all the cool things at the top. The resident grizzlies: Grinder and Coola, the Lumberjack how and bird shows are all free. There's also a helicopter rides, zip-lining and shopping ++ that cost money. Carry on and do other hikes to get better views, if you still have energy. In the winter there's skiing and snowshoeing with a Sky Ride cost as the GG will be closed.
Difficult, steep, narrow, steps, rocks
Elevation: 893 meters
Length: 2.9 km's one way: must take Sky Ride down (can do additional hikes at the top)
Dogs: No
Pit Toilet: TH start and TH end
Steps: 2, 830
Cost: $15 Sky Ride down fee (yearly pass available and use $15 you spent within 7 days)
Parking: $4.00 for the day (June 2019)
GG Hours: Not open all year. Check website to see open times: metrovancouver.org
More Info: www.grousemountain.com/grousegrind
Hiking Checklist:
Backpack, 10-essentials, hiking boots or trail runners, tell someone
Directions: Drive to West Vancouver and take exit 14; stay right and drive up to the road to the very top. There's parking on the right or left lots. They fill up fast so arrive early. www.grousemountain.com/driving-directions
Trail: GG trail etiquette:Stay right unless to pass. Rocky start with some deep rock stairs. The Grouse Grind is numbered now, forty is your goal. Also the famous 1/4, 1/2 & 3/4 trail signs still present. Wooden stairs follow and then some more rocky stairs. Cross the wooden bridge. You are at 11/40. Not far along you are at the 1/4 marker. Here they suggest turning around if you feel tired as it only gets harder and it is true. A little bit farther and some wooden stairs that is not too steep. Gives you a little bit of happiness and the only level part of the grind. Keep going up rock stairs and past some safety netting. Then some man made wooden stairs. They are a little short so going up two at a time seems to be what people do. Soon after you’re at the 1/2 way marker with benches to rest. Once rested keep going. Keep going up the wooden stairs to some rope and handy wooden railings. The next section is steep climbing little wooden steps. Some rocks to follow then more steps but a handy rope to balance you. There’s some more netting to keep you safe as you make your way up. More rocks and nets but ropes to help you up and keep you safe. Then a metal railing to help you along. A few boardwalks and more stairs with nets, wire railings and wooden. A few rocks to climb up. Then you come to man made stairs that are a title bigger. Pace yourself here as it’s steep. Finally you reach the 3/4 marker. You are on your way to finish this one. This is still steep but the shortest section of trail. You’ll cross another boardwalk then more steps. These ones you can see once around the corner a ton to go up. Soon it’s your final ascent to your goal. The light is coming the rough and you are almost at your goal. The last bit are some rocks to go up. Once out in the open keep going tot he bottom of the chalet stairs where officially the trail end is. Don't forget to see all the cool things at the top. The resident grizzlies: Grinder and Coola, the Lumberjack how and bird shows are all free. There's also a helicopter rides, zip-lining and shopping ++ that cost money. Carry on and do other hikes to get better views, if you still have energy. In the winter there's skiing and snowshoeing with a Sky Ride cost as the GG will be closed.