Perched over 4000' above the Canadian metropolis of Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is known for its famous gondola, ski lifts, and restaurants. However, this built-up mountain resort does allow for some pleasant day-hiking. While it is only a short, yet steep jaunt to the summit of Grouse Mountain, it is well worth your time.
Stats:
Category: Easy, though it is steep.
Miles: 1.5
Elevation Gain: 400'
Location: Grouse Mountain Ski Area
The Trail: After paying the gondola fee ($25 Canadian), from the upper station follow the signs towards the Grizzly Bear exhibit. Ahead of you is Grouse Mountain summit, with a steep fire-road climbing to its right. Take that path up as it winds steeply to the summit. Just east of the true peak is an enormous windmill, which you can actually ride to the top of (with some extra money). Once at the true summit, enjoy the spectacular views to downtown Vancouver, Vancouver Island, the far Canadian Columbian Mountain wilderness, and beautiful Mount Baker in Washington, looming high above it all. Many more days hikes are available from here, but I was severely limited on time and had to call it quits on the summit.
Hiked 8/4/16. British Columbia, Canada
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| Gondola Ride... |
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| Upper Station |
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| Mount Baker and the metro area |
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| 10,781' Mount Baker, WA |
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| A friendly Grizzly |
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| Grouse Mountain |
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| Some nice fields... |
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| Steep road... |
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| Giant windmill |
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| Metro area of Vancouver |
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| Dam Mountain |
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| Columbia Mountain Wilderness |
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| Benchmark |
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| Downtown and Port of Vancouver |
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| Sunset at 9:00 pm |
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| Cargo ships on their way to Asia... |
The Trail: After paying the gondola fee ($25 Canadian), from the upper station follow the signs towards the Grizzly Bear exhibit. Ahead of you is Grouse Mountain summit, with a steep fire-road climbing to its right. Take that path up as it winds steeply to the summit. Just east of the true peak is an enormous windmill, which you can actually ride to the top of (with some extra money). Once at the true summit, enjoy the spectacular views to downtown Vancouver, Vancouver Island, the far Canadian Columbian Mountain wilderness, and beautiful Mount Baker in Washington, looming high above it all. Many more days hikes are available from here, but I was severely limited on time and had to call it quits on the summit. 
Great views of Vancouver and Mt. Baker. Wait, are those grizzlies real or statues? I hope they weren't real.
ReplyDeleteYes, the views were spectacular. The grizzles were real, however they were alongside the trail in a very realistic enclosure en route to summit...so not too scary. Funny thing, my friends (the ones you met on Baldy's North Backbone) thought the exact same thing when he saw those pictures. I thoroughly enjoyed your trip on Santa Catalina Island..I really need to get out there sometime-perhaps though not in the same weather...lol.
DeleteWow, grizzlies seem like an entirely different animal than the black bears in Cali. Very aggressive, very deadly. Yeah, Catalina was cool.
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