Grouse Mountain Hike - Grouse Grind

Hiking is one of the most popular sports in Canada. This is my photo-story. Grouse Mountain (Grind) Hike is well known sport. Many people from Vancouver do Grind everyday instead of going to fitness club. It is good to have such a nice natural gym in the backyard. For me it was the first meeting and even I have heard a lot, I was surprised many time during my hike.

Before we start few technical information:
Length: 2.9 kilometres (1.8 miles) 
Elevation Gain: 853 metres (2,800 feet) 
Base: 274 metres above sea level (900 feet)
Summit: 1,127 metres (3,700 feet) 
Total Stairs: 2,830 
Statistics: Annually, over 100,000 people hike the trail. 
Average Time: On average it takes up to an hour and a half to complete the hike. For novice hikers, two hours is recommended. 

Participants: Hikers range in age from 7 to 90, with an equal male/female split.

The official course record to date for men is 25:01 held by Sebastian Salas set at the 2010 BMO Grouse Grind Mountain Run®. For women, the record is 31:04 held by Leanne Johnston and set at the 2007 event. Half an hour, OK I can make it in one hour easily. 

Let's GO!

The hike begins here. Chip you can buy and measure your hiking time. 
The results are recorded in computer
and you can compare your results with others. 

Of course, you cannot go without laws and rules. 

It goes like this all the way.
I am not sure what is more difficult steep hill or stairs?

Keep going, it is only the half of the trip.

It is pity you cannot see the real ascension.
Photo looks always much flatter than the reality.  

The stair were sometimes very natural.
The path could be recognised only by the signs (red square on the tree)

I took picture of the 3/4 sign in hope of early end.
I am thinking for one, two seconds whether this sign is good or bad news. GOOD NEWS!

A rule I will definitely obey.

This is the END! Yes, Yes, Yes
1 hour 53 minutes ... hmmm 

After reaching the Grind Timer I made short feedback/learnings session with myself. Next time I will:
- have a breakfast
- take some drinks
- start earlier, not at noon
The plan is to make it under 1 hour 30 minutes. Now is time to enjoy the mountain. 

After small lunch and lots of drinks is time to discover the 'other peak' of the mountain.
There is another peak to be conquered. 

The top of Grouse Mountain offers various activities like Grizzly watching, trip with helicopter, chair-lift trip to the wind power plant or Lumberjack show (on the picture). In the background the hill I want to explore. 

The top of the top! The wind power plant is at the same time watchtower (15 CAD).
I stay on the ground.

Stanley Park (the smaller and closer) and Kitsilano peninsulas in the ocean, Grouse Mountain Peak in background. 

Beautiful view from everywhere

Vancouver from top, this time I knew what to wish for. 

Surrey and Burnaby - east parts of greater Vancouver

Private house on top of the Grouse Mountain.
Anybody knows the owner? I would like to meet him! ;-)

Does every mountain peak has its bear? 

On my way down on cabin-lift I learned how steep is the hill.
The forest hides the path I walked up.

Back in the valley. I will go up again. It is worth the Grind.

Every result is worth a celebration. Let's have a drink! I am waiting for you here :-)