lingling

Distance: 13 km.

Elevation gain: 440 m.

High point: 560 m.

Time: 6 hrs.

Featuring 10 awesome views along the trail where you can see deep cove, indian arm, bedwell bay, belcarra, and downtown Vancouver, Diez Vista is a stretching day-long hiking. In addition, you can picnic, swim, boat, kayak, stroll, and pick berries if you come prepared.

Distance: 4 km

Elevation gain: 450 m.

High point: 1,257 m.

Time: 3 hrs.

I took a slow hike up to Mt Seymour yesterday. It wasn’t exactly a sunny day, cool just slightly above 10 degree. But the trail opened up my eye.

After following up the ski runs for a while, I was greeted by a nice pond with a quiet reflection. The trail is mostly covered by gravel. There are many spots you can utilize both your hands for climbing over a tight passage between rocks. The dark clouds followed us closely. There were times I thought I had to stop and turn back to avoid a bad storm. But we continued. There were in fact many little ponds here and there, a clear overlook about 2/5 way through, a short feeling of rock climbing near the peak.

Then when we were at the peak, it was COLD! But the view was spectacular. The peak is a huge rock area where you wouldn’t want to sit and have your snacks for too long. The cold air and wind will shiver you to step down for a warmer rest.

It’s better to go in a cloudy day since most of the trail is exposed under the sun. But remember to dress warmly and rain-guarded yourself.

Distance: 2.9 km

Elevation gain: 853 m.

High point: ~1000 m.

Time(one-way): 1 hr.

We went up to the grind with our one-year-old on Labor Day weekend. It was a bit too hot for hiking but the grind is still the grind, perfect. Well, almost.

I go to the grind all the time, whenever I can. It has been a pleasure, a favorite, and, believe it or not, a very local thing to do despite the flocks of tourists you meet on the trial or at the top.

But this time I was quite disappointed and regret to see there were empty water bottles along the trail. I brought about 6 bottles and my hubby and I consumed 5. At the top of the mountain, I was happily refilling my empty bottles with fresh crispy water. So I don’t understand why can’t those hikers who decided to enjoy the trail but also thought that one or two empty bottles are just too much to carry do the same?

I love Grouse Grind. I bet you would love it more if it’s green and untemped like it should be. So please, keep your bottle(s) and enjoy your hike if you really love the Grind.