Epic Hike try #2 - GG & SSG

Meeting snow on our first attempt at our Epic Hike in July, we picked late September for try number two on our Epic Hike. Once a season we push ourselves a little bit further than our every day hikes to see if we can do it !

This time we hiked up the BCMC (Grouse Mountain), then continued up Grouse Mountain on the SSG (Snowshoe Grind), and kept going up to the peak of Goat Mountain!  It was an Epic hike, and about 5 hours long.

It was a brisk fall morning, but about 10 minutes into the hike the layers were being pealed off ! We had Bear spray in hand and the jingle of our bear bells on our hips and we were off.

Enjoying the leisurely hike of the BCMC, compared to our usual Grouse Grind, it was nice to look at the trees, chat and enjoy ourselves.  Reaching the peak we had a break for water and a snack, a quick check in that we all felt up for the next 2 legs of the hike, and we continued on.

The snow shoe grind is a very different hike than it is in the winter, it seems short and steep. Once we reach the peak we had increadable views, we could see 360' around, it was spectacular.

 

 

 

I quick dip down the mountin and then back up and around to Goat Mountain. We didn't met too many people on our adventure, so we were glad that  Anne-Marie had her Bear spray and bells to keep the wildlife away.  A small rope was on the last leg of the hike and an amazing feeling once at the top. So many mountains to look at. We could see the city, up Indian arm, over to Cypress mountain and much more.

 

Not a cloud in the sky. Having a snack and almost finishing our water we turn around and headed back down to the chateau. By the time we hike down the mountain, our muscles are not use to this because we always take the gondela after the grind. We all were very sore for a couple of days. But we would all do it again in a heartbeat. 

 

Hikers, you should do this at least once. Next year - Crown Mountain.

 

 

  

Epic Hike - GG & SSG

Once a season we get together to push ourselves a little bit further than our every day hikes. You may remember our Epic hike in March when we hiked up the BCMC (Grouse Mountain) with our Snowshoes on our back, then continued up Grouse Mountain on the SSG (Snowshoe Grind) And last summer a couple people did the Grouse Grind 3 times consecutively.

This year we decided to do our weekly hike up the Grouse Grind, and then make our way to Goat Mountain. The views are said to be amazing and 360' around.  Well.....with a cloud over Grouse Mountain as we started up the Grind we hoped it would clear for the second half of our epic hike. We didn't have much luck.

Continuing on towards goat mountain, it starts off up whistler waterway, which is the same trail that we do in the winter on snowshoes for the Snowshoe Grind. It was fun to see the terrain in the Summer. And how different it it looks when we're on the ground, and not on top of meters of snow.

Following a hand written sign we had some doubts about where we were going, but following the yellow markers, at least we were on 'a trail' we found ourselves on top of a mountain, we just didn't know which one. In the middle of a misty cloud, and the rain coming down, we had no other option other than to stared back down, and we find ourselves on Dam Plato.

The visibility was horrible, and with no idea of which way Goat Mountain was, we decided to call it a day and head back down to the chalet. We'll try again when the snow has melted and we can see more than 15 feet in front of us.

It was a cold, wet, muddy day, but we all had a great time, and can now say we've hiked the Grouse Grind and the Snowshoe Grind in the same day !!







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The Top of Mount. Seymour

This is on the top of my list for best hikes I've ever done. It takes most of the day, but it is well worth it, and will be doing it again for sure.
With a 360' views at the top there was no shortage of spectacular views all along the way. 

   

Vancouver Food Trucks - Holy Perogy

Friday Food Truck Lunch !

There are 23 food trucks in the city, and more are popping up every day. Being a local business we need to support the other local businesses so today we had lunch out!
With our orders in, a few agents headed out to pick it up.
Today's truck - Holy Perogy.

Great smiles, great service at the Holy Perogy.

The Cheddar Potato was the favorite!

The Westcoast was a strong Salman flavor, so might be too stong for some. But loved by us.

Greek was good, and the Italian had a bit too messy.

Enjoy !