Crown Mountain via the Grouse Grind —Date Changed
Details
# Crown Mountain via the Grouse Grind — Challenging Hike/ DATE CHANGED
Where soul rests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXGaomytuLw
Please read carefully before deciding to participate.
This is a very challenging full-day hike that combines the steep Grouse Grind with the demanding backcountry route to Crown Mountain. Please do not sign up unless you are comfortable with long, steep climbs, rough mountain terrain, exposed sections, and hiking for several hours at a steady pace. This route is not suitable for beginners, casual walkers, or anyone unsure about their fitness, balance, knees, ankles, or comfort on steep terrain.
## Route Overview and Difficulty
Route: Start at the base of the Grouse Grind, climb to the top of Grouse Mountain, continue toward Crown Mountain, summit Crown Mountain, return to the Grouse Mountain chalet/Skyride area, then take the gondola/tele-cabin down.
Approximate distance: 12.3–12.7 km total hiking distance
Approximate elevation gain: about 1,500–1,600 m total
Expected hiking time: about 7–9.5 hours, depending on pace, weather, trail conditions, and breaks
Difficulty: Very challenging / strenuous
## Grouse Grind Section
The hike begins with the Grouse Grind, a steep one-way uphill trail often called “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.” It climbs roughly 800 m in only about 2.5 km and includes thousands of stairs, roots, rocks, and very little flat ground. This section alone can take many hikers 2 to 2.5 hours and requires good cardio fitness and leg strength.
If you are already exhausted, short of water, or struggling during the Grouse Grind, you should not continue to Crown Mountain. The Crown Mountain section is longer, more remote, and more technical than the Grind.
## Crown Mountain Section
After reaching the top of Grouse Mountain, the route continues into the backcountry behind Grouse toward Crown Mountain. This is not a simple walk from the chalet. The trail includes repeated elevation loss and gain, steep descents into Crown Pass, muddy and rocky terrain, roots, boulders, chains, and sections where hands may be needed for balance or scrambling.
The return is also demanding because you must climb back out of Crown Pass before returning to the Grouse Mountain chalet/Skyride area. Participants should be prepared for a long and tiring day with limited easy sections. Weather, slippery rocks, mud, heat, cold, and poor visibility can make this hike significantly harder.
## Who Should Join
This hike is recommended only for hikers who have recent experience with difficult North Shore hikes, can maintain a steady pace for several hours, and are comfortable with steep terrain, chains, scrambling, and exposure. You should bring enough food, water, proper footwear, and layers, and you should be ready to turn back if conditions or your energy level are not suitable.
Meeting point is at Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Recommended Hiking Clothing, Footwear and Gear:
- Hiking boots or Hiking Shoes
- Small Daypack or Hiking backpack + 2 bottles of water + Lunch + Snacks
- Sweater or a hoodie
- Winter Coat/Parka or Puffer Jacket with hood
- Gloves
- Rain jacket (optional: if the sky is overcast or raining)
Transit Access: Yes
LEGAL INFORMATION, LIABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
We are a group of volunteers. We are NOT a professional organization or pro trail guides and/or pro event organizers. We will, however, look out for each other. The organizer and any/all assistant organizers and other attendees are in no way responsible and liable for your personal safety and health state, before, during and at anytime after this event. Risks of attending hiking events include but are not limited to: getting lost; slipping and falling; snow and ice; extreme cold; extreme heat; dangerous animals; falling trees or brush; falling rocks or landslides; flooding; bridge failure; and falling in fast moving water.
As a condition of your participation in the event, you assume all risk of personal injury, death or property loss resulting from any cause whatsoever including NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT OR BREACH OF ANY DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF THE HOST. You agree that the host shall not be liable for any personal injury, death or property loss and release the host from all liability and waive all claims with respect thereto.
Negligence includes failure on the part of the host to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from or warn you of the risks, dangers and hazards referred to above. You assume all cost of your own rescue or evacuation.
By RSVP'ing "Yes", for this event, you acknowledge that you fully understand and accept the aforementioned conditions and following event attendance conditions and, you are solely responsible for your own health, safety and well-being before, during and at anytime after the event as stated previously.
All attendees shall forever hold harmless the organizers and other attendees and unconditionally waive any liabilities resulting from attending and/or participating in this event.
We hike together at a moderate pace, but if you cannot keep pace then you are responsible to safely hike your way back to the starting point.