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Vancouver’s Giant Stair Stepper – The Grouse Grind
Last night I hiked my first Grouse Grind of the season – partially in preparation for hiking the Cumbrian Way and the West Highland Way which I’ll tackle beginning next week, and partially for the happy hormone buzz I always get at the end. Make no mistake. This is not a fun hike or even a scenic hike. But it’s a fantastic hike to get a good workout and judging by the sheer number of hikers on the trail many people feel the same way.
Start of the Grouse Grind in North Vancouver
The hike takes you from the parking lot at the top of Nancy Greene Way to the summit, a distance of 2.9 kilometers (1.8 miles) over 853 meters (2800 feet). The Grouse Grind website suggests that there are a total of 2830 steps! I’ve never tried counting.
First Quarter of the Grouse Grind
People of all ages hike the trail. I took my very fit niece to the top when she was only six – in just over an hour- and in past years I have seen an elderly gentleman (in his seventies) who hiked the Grind every day of the summer. The official record for the course for men is 25:24 and for women it’s 31:04. Unofficially a runner on the New Zealand Olympic team did it in 24:22. Mere mortals average anywhere from one to two hours.
Halfway Mark on the Grouse Grind
If you’re intent on hiking the Grouse Grind then you might find the following tips useful.
- Bring at least a bottle of water with you. Once you’re at the top you can purchase more drinks.
- Carry a jacket. Often the top is much chillier and you’ll find that you cool down quickly.
- There are no bathrooms on the trail. Over 100,000 people hike the trail every year so use the facilities at the bottom before heading out.
- Pack out garbage. The staff do a tremendous job keeping the trail clean but do your part too. No one wants to see used tissues.
- If you’re new to the Grind and expect to take a few hours, bring an energy bar.
- Avoid taking poles. They will get in the way of fellow hikers.
- Wear running shoes or hiking boots – not shoes with high heels.
- If you’ve got ticker problems give this trail a pass and meet your buddies at the top by taking the tram up.
The fog rolls in close to the 3/4 mark on the Grouse Grind.
The Grouse Grind has signage at the 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 marks. I have always felt that the 1/4 mark feels like 1/3 of the way up. Maybe it’s because it takes some time to warm up or perhaps it really is. The second quarter seems much shorter. If you’re having problems by the 1/4 mark then turn around; there is no shame in doing that and it never gets any easier. There are only two sections that could be considered flat, and they are all of about 15 feet long. The upper quarter of the trail is undergoing extensive renovation. Some rerouting is occurring and there are a few muddy sections as I write this.
Grouse Grind under construction near the summit.
Hiking down the trail is just as difficult as hiking up and is not recommended. But if your heart is set on hiking down, then the Baden Powell trail, southeast and roughly parallel to the Grouse Grind is a MUCH less busy downhill option. Otherwise purchase a downloading ticket for the tram inside the main building at the top. Prices are $5 until June 28th and then the price is doubling to $10, the first price increase in years.
- Smiling at the top of the Grouse Grind
Everybody has a smile when they reach the top! Happy Grinding!
Leigh McAdam
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14 Responses to Vancouver’s Giant Stair Stepper – The Grouse Grind
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I’ve been all over the world – to all continents but Antarctica and to a grand total of 53 countries. I’ve always got some sort of an adventure planned – even if it’s only a weekend. I thrive on change and travel provides that.
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leighmcadamtravels@gmail.com
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Yikes! I thought Signal Hill was bad with 768+ stairs. I love the name too, The Grouse Grind. Sounds tough.
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Love the Grind! One of my fav spring hikes. Its been pretty mushy near the top with all the snowpack taking forever to melt.
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Love this article – very helpful! I’m going to post it on my trainer’s FB page.
I noticed the last time I did the Grind that there are now giant signs at the top that say something to the effect of “descent prohibited” – and I think that’s GREAT! Downhill Grinders contribute to the erosion of the trail, and frankly,it’s dangerous to the uphill Grinders.
It’s unfortunate that Grouse has had to increase the download fee, but what people seem to have forgotten is that the $5 price was in effect for 13 years. THIRTEEN! I can’t think of anything else that has a price that stayed the same for THIRTEEN years!
See you on the Grind!
Thanks for visiting my website. You’re right – as much as I hate paying more for a downloading ticket we have been lucky with no price hikes for so many years. Until July 18th,2010 you can still get a years’ pass for $89.95. One only has to do the Grind 10X in a year to pay it off. For people not in the know the yearly pass also allows you to take the tram up in the winter and snowshoe. Plus the pass allows you to bring up to four visitors on the tram at half price.
How much have salaries in BC increased in 13 years? I highly doubt that the employees of Grouse Mountain are making a 100% increase in salary in the past 13 years. Neither have most people in BC, so the price hike is extremly out of wack with inflation. In my opinion Grouse Mountain is gouging. I wonder how much of my tax payers dollars are going to free advertising for Grouse Mountain with Tourism BC…
I agree that salaries haven’t increased anywhere near 100% but I can’t speak for free advertising… However – and I make this comment as someone who hates paying more than inflation – the new $10 fee does include the new 7% tax that comes into effect on July 1st and I’m guessing that Grouse Mountain has eaten many of the costs associated with running the tram for years …things like fuel, upkeep, insurance, liability & many of those costs aren’t jumping by only a few % per year. What is the real cost of running the tram? I have no idea. Allow for profit and yes maybe they should be charging us $8.50 instead of $10. But would you still be pissed at that price? Are we better seeing incremental changes every few years instead of one huge increase? Should Grouse disclose more (maybe they do but I haven’t gone looking for their annual report) about their increase in fees to avoid losing Grouse Grinders? Or will you now buy a yearly pass which looks much more affordable on so many levels.
This just in: 2:10 pm on June 24,2010 from the Grouse Grind people. “Whistler Water – BC’s truly local glacial spring water – is pleased to extend a special offer to Grouse Grinders on Grouse Mountain Download Tickets. Simply show your proof of purchase of a Whistler Water product to Alpine Guest Services at Grouse Mountain and your Download Ticket will be $5 instead of $10.*
*Offer expires July 31st, 2010. Proof of purchase must name “Whistler Water”. One proof of purchase per Download ticket only. Proof of purchase will be collected by Alpine Guest Services. Not applicable to any other Grouse Mountain products. No cash value.
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