
Nature’s stairmaster, better known as the Grouse Grind, is now closed for the season due to snow on the trail.
Metro Vancouver announced the closure on Tuesday due to recent snowfall on lower levels of the mountain. They have seen 13 cm fall in the last 24 hours, bringing the snowbase to 35 cm at the plateau.
Photo shows upper #GrouseGrind trail covered in snow. Trail is now closed for the winter. @grousemountain pic.twitter.com/qlw0PHPWRt
— Metro Vancouver (@MetroVancouver) November 17, 2015
Snow on the infamous trail makes hiking more dangerous, though there are always die-hard hikers who will bypass the trail gate and hike anyway, posing a threat to the safety of themselves and the North Shore Rescue team who may need to bail them out if an accident happens.
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Just last week, North Shore Rescue issued a notice to alpine hikers, reminding them that winter conditions pose a serious risk to anyone who ventures up the mountains. Appropriate clothing and equipment are recommended, including proper hiking boots and non-cotton clothing.
Contrary to popular assumption, Grouse Mountain does not maintain or monitor the trail, which is under Metro Vancouver jurisdiction.