The Grouse Grind A Vertical Fitness Challenge
On all but the foggiest and rainiest days, the North Shore Mountains frame Vancouver’s skyline. These heavily forested peaks attract locals and tourists alike. At the centre of the range, less than a 30-minute drive from the city lies Grouse Mountain, home of the Grouse Grind, one of Canada’s most iconic trails.
While many serious runners might scoff at trail that’s only 2.9k long, they’ll quickly change their tune when they ascend 853 metres up the side of a mountain through lush forest made up of red cedars and Douglas firs. The trail challenges both your strength and aerobic system.
The Grouse Grind is made up of 2,830 steps up rocks, roots, mud and even snow at certain times of the year, while the CN Tower only has 2,579. It’s obvious from these stats why the trail has earned the nickname “Mother Nature’s Staircase” among locals.
The average climbing time for the trail is 90 minutes, with the fastest unofficial time held by pro cyclist Sebastian Salas in 23:48. The Vancouverite also recorded the quickest official time (25:01) at the annual Grouse Mountain Run, which is held every September. The women’s record, set by Leanne Johnson, is 31:07. Also of note, in 2013 Sean Blanton hiked the Grind 17 times in a 2 4-hour period.
Once at the top, you have earned bragging rights by saying you have completed the Grind. Walk towards the Grouse Mountain Chalet and up the stairs to the entrance. Just inside, you can buy your ticket for the gondola ride before heading back down. In the Chalet, you can have a beer or meal at the restaurant, or eat a snack at the cafeteria. You can then wander around the top of Grouse Mountain to check out the events, scenery and unparalleled views of the city.
The Grind itself is a one-way-up trail, however for those wanting to really challenge their nimbleness and quad strength, it is possible to go back down the mountain along the British Columbia Mountaineering Club trail, which parallels the Grind.
Due to its proximity to downtown, as well as its challenging nature and incredible natural beauty, the Grind can experience a lot of traffic. On a busy weekend, more than 6,000 people ascend the trail a day and around 3,000 hikers climb the trail every weekday in the summer.
Outside Magazine recently rated the Grouse Grind fifth on its 10 most dangerous hikes in the world list. Although a lot of locals made fun of this ranking, the trail rates highly on the list because of the number of rescues on the trail annually. Despite the rather sensational ranking, the trail is enjoyed by 100,000 enthusiasts of all abilities and it is a staple of the Vancouver fitness scene. It is safe for most people with a basic level of fitness, however it is important to watch weather conditions, especially early or late in the season, as the weather on the mountain can change dramatically from base to summit.
Originally built by hand by Don McPherson and Phil Severy, who painstakingly, but also illegally, built the Grind in the early 1980s, the trail has since been adopted and is rigorously maintained by the regional district and the Grouse Mountain ski area. Although it is not as wild or rugged as other North Shore trails, the upgrades have not made the route any less steep.
It is possible to buy a Grind Timer Card, containing an electronic timing chip, from the mountain. By swiping the card against a timing post at the start and f inish of the Grind you can compare times across the season to assess f itness. The times are also posted in the Chalet and they are ranked by age-category, so there is an ongoing informal contest throughout t he year.
While it is possible to access the trail year-round, it is not maintained in the winter and it can be significantly more difficult, with heavy snowfall and icy conditions making the route treacherous and even potentially fatal for the unprepared. In the winter, the mountain grooms a “snowshoe grind” on its upper trails, which is a safer option.