Grousing up the Grind

She sat clumsily on a rotting tree stump, flicked a wet strand of hair from her face and announced loudly “I am never ever doing this again, I hate it!” Close to my own sentiments I thought as we sweated our way past the tired pre-teen and the three-quarter way marker on the Grouse Grind.

I’ve been tour guiding for the past couple of years and had often wondered what the Grouse Grind was really like. On a typical North Shore tour, which usually takes in Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain, commentary would generally include a reference to the Grind and its popularity.

I would tell the tour group that the Grind is a hike of approximately one and three quarter miles that gains elevation rapidly. The trail starts in the parking lot at an elevation of 1000 feet and ends near the Lodge at the top of the mountain at 3600 feet. There are very few flat parts. I would explain that the average hiker does the trail in about 60-90 minutes and that the fastest climb was recorded at 24 minutes. Reminding my group to look after their skyride tickets I would tell them to expect to share the downward tram with sweaty hikers. And that would be that.

Talk really is cheap.

On 31 August I found out first hand what it was all about. It was a beautiful Monday morning and the parking lot was already full. I can do this, I told myself. I don’t have to break any records, just finish it and next time I take a group up Grouse I can speak as one “who knows”.

When I was younger I used to run but all that pounding has taken a toll on my knees and these days I have to treat them with a great deal of respect. Today would be a test.

The trail itself is quite amazing and has been well maintained in parts. Other areas are somewhat rustic as you are forced to pick your way up well-trod foot holdings over large rocks and tree roots. Looking down is really important.

It was a busy day on the Grind with lots of people of all ages on the trail. Doug and I saw several energetic fathers with babies on their back. Young children with their teachers, groups of friends and many hikers considerably older than me.

Also of interest was the variety of languages being spoken around us - Cantonese, Punjabi, German, Farsi and Russian.

Stepping aside for the fleet of foot happened a lot, as well as plenty of water stops and photo opportunities, all of which provided an opportunity to catch a breath or two.

At one stop a friendly fellow remarked on the elevation. It turned out he was an Air New Zealand flight attendant who had flown in the previous day and would be returning on the return flight to Auckland the next day. This was his “down time” in Vancouver.

The water had gone by the three-quarter mark so there was no reason to linger at that point as we clambered up a steep, winding incline. We could hear voices ahead of us exclaiming that they had reached the top of the Grind.

As a Grouse Grind “first timer” I can safely say I will be a “one timer”. Despite the creaky knees, the sweating and the laboured breathing, it was fun and worthwhile – and grist for the next North Shore tour.