Mountain Blog

The Latest From the Mountain

The BC Parks Day-Pass Reservation System Struggles to Limit Physical Distancing, Leaves Trails Empty During Off-Peak Hours

August 19th, 2020

Posted by

In response to overcrowding and with the best of intentions, BC Parks introduced a program in late July to limit the number of daily visitors to many provincial facilities. While on paper, the program appears to meet it's objectives, it struggles to limit physical distancing during peak hours, leaves trails empty during the off-peak hours and drives nearby parks to overcrowding.

Grouse Grind 2020 Opening June 22 COVID Restrictions

June 5th, 2020

Posted by Matthew Inouye

Metro Vancouver has just announced their 2020 reopening date for the Grouse Grind: Monday, June 22nd. They have adapted to a post-COVID environment, implementing procedures to help keep everyone safe and adhere with Dr. Bonnie Henry's guidance.

Reopened Vancouver Area Trails and BC Parks and Current Closures

May 15th, 2020

Posted by Matthew Inouye

As British Columbia has flattened the COVID-19 curve over the past few weeks, the province is beginning to relax restrictions under guidance from Dr. Bonnie Henry. In turn, local parks and trails are more accessible for hiking and other recreational activities. Here's a list of trails and parks that are now reopened, have tentative reopen dates and are still closed.

Lower Mainland Trail Closures Due to COVID-19

April 4th, 2020

Posted by Matthew Inouye

Late last week, the District of North Vancouver announced the temporary closure of the Quarry Rock trail and the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. Since then, several other municipalities and BC Hydro have followed suit with their own trail closures or implemented changes to accommodate social distancing.

North Vancouver Closes Trails to Maintain Social Distancing

March 22nd, 2020

Posted by Matthew Inouye

Quarry Rock and the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge are closed from 7 am, March 22nd until further notice by order of the District of North Vancouver.

Best Vancouver Trails to Maintain Social Distance

March 19th, 2020

Posted by Matthew Inouye

The World Health Organization recommends we maintain a distance of at least 3 feet from each other. How about 300 feet? Stay local, and hike anti-social with a list of Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver area trails where social distancing is a distant issue! No need for a tape measure here.

Metro Vancouver to Add Nearly 16 Hectares to Minnekhada Park in Northeast Coquitlam

February 11th, 2020

Posted by Matthew Inouye

In support of Metro Vancouver's Climate Action Plan, nearly 16 hectares added to Minnekhada Park for future development of trails and scenic viewpoints.

Metro Vancouver has acquired a 15.9-hectare parcel added to Minnekhada Regional Park is in the northeastern, upland portion of the park, filling a gap between the regional park and the Pitt Addington Marsh Wildlife Area.

Consider Yourself a Vancouverite? Not Until You've Hiked These Five Trails

July 8th, 2019

Posted by Matthew Inouye

Consider yourself a Vancouverite? Not until you've hiked, walked or ran the five essential Metro Vancouver hiking trails from the Grouse Grind, Dog Mountain Trail up Mount Seymour, the Stanley Park seawall, the Foreshore Trail at the Pacific Spirit Regional Park; and the always popular, Quarry Rock in Deep Cove.

You shout "Thank you" when you exit a bus, you're willing to wait an hour in line for Sunday hangover brunch, you know where the best donuts are (Honey's or Duffins), have a list of at least two solid dim sum restaurants and one great ramen shop with a rich broth that doesn't have the lunch line-up and finally, you remember where you were when the roof came off BC Place.

Grouse Grind Trail Re-Opens for the Summer Season, May 3rd 2019

May 2nd, 2019

Posted by Matthew Inouye

Only one day later than in 2018, the infamous Grouse Grind trail reopens on Friday, May 3rd for the 2018 Spring and Summer season. Gates open for early bird hikers at 6:15 am. Those attempting to hike the Grind in the afternoon have until 6:30 pm before the gate closes.

New Upper Levels Trail Announced in West Vancouver, Spirit Trail Delays

March 11th, 2019

Posted by Matthew Inouye

Back in 2010, West Vancouver's "Transportation Hierarchy" placed the pedestrian at the top of the list. As part of the district's 2025 vision, all transportation strategies now prioritize pedestrians. Applying the change in mindset has already started to have a positive impact across the district from improved pedestrian routes around Marine Drive and high priority areas, better wayfinding and signage; and for Mountain Guru hikers that live or play on the North Shore, the near completion of the Spirit Trail greenway and future Upper Levels trail.

Can the 48 km Baden Powell Trail be hiked in less than one day?

February 24th, 2019

Posted by Matthew Inouye

Three summer's in a row, my sister and her husband hiked the West Coast Trail. And for three summer's in a row, my sister would insist that I also have to hike the West Coast Trail. "You don't really know hiking until you've hiked 75 kilometers, slept four nights in the wilderness and experienced a blister on a blister," she'd say to me repeatedly.

Three Grouse Grind Alternatives to Hike this Week

November 1st, 2018

Posted by Matthew Inouye

As expected with any change of ownership, eventually changes often also find their way to the front lines. Grouse Mountain Resorts and the Grouse Grind are no exception. Announced last Summer, Grouse Mountain Resorts was purchased by a Chinese investment firm for a rumoured $200 Million. Last month, Grouse Mountain Resorts informed hikers they will be closing the Grouse Mountain Skyride and all facilities for two weeks -- a seasonal closure starting today and re-opening on November 13th.

Is the Grouse Grind Vancouver’s most dangerous trail?

September 3rd, 2018

Posted by Matthew Inouye

The Grouse Grind made local headlines yesterday after a middle-aged man was airlifted from the infamous trail following a heart attack. In 2015, even Outside Magazine named the Grind one of the most dangerous hikes on Earth. But truly how dangerous is the Grouse Grind -- or has its popularity simply fueled an impression of being death defying?

As the 2018 summer hiking season ends, Mountain Guru looks at the most dangerous hiking trails in Metro Vancouver over the past year. Media articles can exaggerate tales of danger on the trails – or only focus in on popular routes, so we’ll be looking at stats and calls posted since August 2017 by North Shore Rescue, Lions Bay SAR, Coquitlam SAR, Ridge Meadows SAR and Central Fraser Valley SAR.

Five Hikes North Shore Locals Don't Want You to Know About

July 22nd, 2018

Posted by Matthew Inouye

The North Shore isn't just the Grouse Grind, Lynn Peak and Quarry Rock. Say farewell to the over popularized trails crowded with jean-pants-wearing tourists, and experience the lush North Shore forests, mountains and viewpoints in peace, calm and serenity by trying these five lesser know hikes that North Shore locals don't want you to know about.

Petitioning for a National Search and Rescue Day

July 3rd, 2018

Posted by Matthew Inouye

Teri Towner of Coquitlam submitted an E-Petition to the House of Commons to recognize March 1st as a National Day for Search and Rescue volunteers. Ron McKinnon, a Liberal MP for Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam is listed as the government sponsor.

When is the Grouse Grind Reopening Date 2018?

June 20th, 2018

Posted by Matthew Inouye

Updated June 20th: The Grouse Grind trail re-opens tomorrow, Thursday June 21st at 6:15 AM.

Metro Vancouver reports that due to recent rain and warmer temperatures on Grouse Mountain, almost all the snow affecting the Grouse Grind trail has melted.

As conditions have improved, the Grouse Grind trail will now open Wednesday May 2nd at 6:15 am. The last entry before the gate closes is at 6 PM.

To add a level of urgency, the trail will again close from May 22nd until the first or second week of June for planned seasonal safety maintenance. Get your Grind's in soon!

About Vancouver

March 1st, 2018

Posted by Matthew Inouye

Situated in the southernmost area of Western Canada, Vancouver and it's neighbouring communities largely known as Greater Vancouver or the Lower Mainland are bordered by Washington State to the south and the Georgia Strait and Vancouver Island to the west.

7 Reasons Hiking Should Be Your Workout

August 4th, 2017

Posted by Matthew Inouye

Okay.. so maybe this article isn't for everyone. But the possibility is there that either you or someone you know spends a little too much time on the couch. So if you are that person or know that person, this article is for you.

More than a couple times, it's crossed your mind to drop the remote and go DO something but for one reason or another -- it hasn't happened. You may blame time, money, obligations, love, living life.. whatever the excuse is, the fact is that you have an excuse. Granted, there are times when being active just does not fit into your day.

Top Five Spring Hikes on the North Shore

April 3rd, 2017

Posted by Matthew Inouye