The Grind

In preparation for our outback hiking trip in Yellowstone National Park next week, we (Brent, Wouter and I) hiked the Grouse Grind yesterday. That is we hiked all the way up the mountain – it was BRUTAL.

here is the write up about it from Grouse Mountain’s website:

Challenge yourself with Vancouver’s most famous hike, the Grouse GrindTM – often referred to as Mother Nature’s Stairmaster. This rigorous 2.9 km (1.8 mile) hike takes you straight up the face of Grouse Mountain. By the time you reach the plateau, your ascent will have gained 853 metres (2,800 feet) – one and a half times the height of Toronto’s CN Tower! Once you make it to the top, take a minute to enjoy the adrenaline rush, spectacular views and all that you have accomplished.

The photos don’t do it justice – it was WAY steeper then it looks in the pictures. It was 2 hours straight of climbing the most brutal stairs (and rocks) that you can imagine. When we hit the 1/4 mark sign – I almost started crying! lol! I was like “How can we ONLY be a quarter of the way up????”. I thought I was going to pass out somewhere along the side of the trail. Luckily I don’t think the hikes we will be going on at Yellowstone will be nearly this tough. They will be a lot longer but flatter. Thankfully.

The good thing is that my legs are not nearly as sore as I thought they’d be today! I thought for sure that I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed this morning, lol

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We made it! And yep – there was still snow at the top!