Grouse grind opens for 2016 season

The North Shore's 2,830-step, heart-pumping, lung-busting trail known as the Grouse Grind will open on Saturday for the season.

"We're thrilled to kick off another season of hiking with the opening of the iconic Grouse Grind trail," said Julia Grant who speaks for Grouse Mountain.

Metro Vancouver maintains the trail and opens it in the spring when there is no longer any snow on it and maintenance has been completed,

"It's fairly accessible but it provides a good challenging hike and and I think people enjoy the sense of accomplishment in completing it, and you get some amazing views from the top of Grouse Mountain." said Grant.

According to Grant, more than 150,000 people hike the Grouse Grind each season, and while Outside Magazine named the trail one of the 10 most-dangerous hikes in the world, most locals recognize that it only presents problems for people who do not wear appropriate footwear or bring water.

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The 2.9-kilometre trail begins at the base of Grouse Mountain and concludes just outside the Peak Chalet at the resort.

Hikers can track their progress and see how they compare to other Grinders through the season through the Grind Timer program or using the Grouse Grind App.

With files from Deborah Goble