Grouse Mountain Hike on 02/08/2020

On Sunday we will start our hike to Grouse Mountain. It is located near North Vancouver, so we will take the bus to get there. It is also known as Vancouver's local mountain because many Vancouverites go hiking here when they feel drawn to nature!

With enough water and snacks in our backpacks, we first buy a ticket for the gondola. The Grouse Mountain hiking trail can only be hiked uphill and not downhill. The reason is the steep and difficult path, which is only accessible in one direction. If you still want to hike down, you have to use a different, longer trail. While we wait in line, we can already see the first information board about the two grizzly bears that live on Grouse Mountain.

Despite the difficult path, there are quite a few people on the hike and we start the ascent with Khushbu.

What we don't notice at the beginning: you can use an app to time your ascent. Later, on a screen, you can see all the participants of the day and the time it took them. The record for men is 25:01 minutes and for women it's 30:02 minutes. Let's see if we can break these records...

The hiking trail goes through the forest the whole time, so you don't have to walk in direct sunlight and heat. However, the trail is not forgiving for beginners and starts steep right away... After the first quarter, Khushbu turns around because the trail and the steps are too big and steep for her. 

After the first quarter, we are greeted by a big information board that not only congratulates us on completing the first quarter. It also asks if we have enough water, no circulation problems, and informs us that the route has been easy so far. If you don't feel well and have no more water, you should turn around now. Turning back is not possible later on. 

Julian and I continue, and the steps are sometimes so high that we take a short break every few meters. But not too long! Otherwise, the first animals that have been with us since the beginning will be very happy: huge mosquitoes that dive right onto you like vultures! 

We also recognize some hikers after a short time: when we take a break, they overtake us, and when they pause, we pass them. People of all ages are represented here, and I particularly notice a family with a young son. The steps are so high that the mother often has to lift her son to the next step. Two young men also help us with mosquito spray after watching us half-dancing, half-fighting off the mosquitoes during a short break. A young woman has a bag around her and carries her dog in it. The little dachshund looks out of his bag and seems very satisfied with his journey. I would also like to hike so comfortably! 

In some places, ropes are stretched along the edge, which I also use from time to time to pull myself up. 

In addition to the quarter markers, there are also small four-tenth markers that motivate me during the hike because you can see the progress well. 

The third quarter is really the most difficult one! Here, the steps are so high that I often have to search for a branch or a root to support myself and pull myself up a little. 

A woman tells us that the last part will be really easy. And so it is. First, you can see the sun at the edge of the forest as the trees end. And then you stand in the sun on a small rock and see the gondola station with the chalet. 

We enjoy the view of Vancouver and find two chairs on a meadow to rest. Here we wait for Khushbu, who will take the gondola up. 

The special thing is that we can go even higher with a small lift. But before we board the lift, we first take a look at Plato. Along the way, there are bear tracks that you can follow. And that's how Julian discovers the spot where an owl show will start in a few minutes. The ranger introduces three owls and tells some interesting details about the different species. That's how we get to know Cleo, the barn owl, Odin, the barred owl, and Athena, the great horned owl. 

After the owl show, we go to the lift that takes us to the summit of the mountain. Here we once again enjoy the view and take many pictures. But we have to hurry a bit because a ranger talks about the two brown bears, Grinder and Coolar. During the short lecture, one of the bears even takes a bath and later shows a lot of interest in the visitors standing at the fence. 

After all the information, I'm hungry and treat myself to another typical Canadian delicacy. It is a sweet pastry that resembles a beaver's tail in shape. I choose the pastry with sugar and cinnamon, and of course, I have to listen to Julian's complaint that he *cough* doesn't like cinnamon... Khushbu, on the other hand, chooses Nutella as a spread. I bite into my pastry with pleasure while Khushbu calls out that we have to take a photo first. She also notices that I eat quite quickly. I explain to her that it's because Julian eats even faster and then always wants to have my portion. That has trained me to eat quickly. 

Due to Corona, we had to book the time at which we want to take the gondola down in advance. And now we only have a few minutes left to order a drink at the bistro and enjoy the view of the city of Vancouver from the terrace. 

In the gondola, which can accommodate up to 100 people, only a certain number of people are allowed to ride during Corona times. They have to stand on a marked spot and wear masks during the ride. Although the ride only takes five minutes, the view of Capilano Lake and the surroundings is beautiful. 

When we arrive at the bottom, we take the bus back to the city center. And I fall into bed, tired but very happy, with a small sunburn (apparently, I missed applying sunscreen to that area). 

Good night! Tonight, I will certainly dream of brown bears, owls, and steep hiking trails.