Thursday morning Steve left shortly after 8:00 to take the truck to Bernhausen Diesel. About an hour and a half later I was ready to head off to pick him up...but just as I was leaving, he called to tell me not to bother right now. They were going to quickly check the truck out for a soot trail that would indicate the location of the squeal. Unfortunately they couldn't find anything. Steve called me to email the audio of the squeal I had taken while on our way down the Coquihalla towing the trailer here.
It was around 11:00 when Steve arrived home. They hadn't been able to open the file I had sent, so I would have to transfer it to YouTube for them. But not today, we have a car rental one last day, it's beautiful out, so we are going somewhere we have never been to here in the lower mainland...
Grouse Mountain-The Peak of Vancouver.
Grouse Mountain and it's ski runs are very visible from all areas of the Greater Vancouver area...that's it straight ahead. You can barely see the wind turbine to the right of the ski hill...
We made our way to the bottom of the mountain, parked the jeep in one of the massive parking lots, purchased an 'all day' parking pass for $8.00 and went in search of of tickets for the ride up the mountain. There was quite a long line for tickets...but, although not posted anywhere, you can also buy tickets in the Guest Services building. That way you could bypass all those in this line and go directly to the tram loading area.
This is the area outside of the Guest Services building...
The Skyride is the largest aerial tramway system in North America. The tram we'll be taking is just coming in...they depart every 15 minutes...
And one is arriving....
They really pack a lot of people into each tram but we had managed to get in front by the window. Once at the top, we headed along the trail to the Grizzly habitat for a Ranger talk. Along the way there are numerous wood carvings done by Glenn Greensides called
Tribute to the Forest...
The first log Glenn found for his Grouse Mountain project was a 1200 year old tree that was found lying on the ground for 25 years in the Coquitlam water shed north east of Vancouver. The tree was cut into six pieces and transported to Grouse Mountain.
This log was the inspiration for the name "Tribute to the Forest". Through his eight year project, Glenn would find the 30 logs he needed through help of the member companies of the forest alliance of British Columbia.
Grinder and Coola are orphaned grizzlies who live in the five-acre alpine sanctuary.
Grinder was found in 2001 in Invermere, BC. He was wandering alone on a logging road, dehydrated, thin, weak and weighing only 4.5 kg. His mother was never found so we’ll probably never know why he was alone. Grinder is outgoing and high-spirited. He has established himself as the dominant bear despite his smaller size. If you see Grinder and Coola play fighting, you can bet he started it.
In 2001, Coola was found orphaned on a highway near Bella Coola, BC. His mother had been killed by a truck and, of her three cubs, Coola was the only one to survive. Coola is an easygoing bear who’s content to let Grinder take the lead in new discoveries. He can usually be found submerged up to his neck in the large pond, carefully feeling around for his underwater 'bath toys' - a log, large bone and favourite rock.
We followed them to the other side of the bridge...
North Shore Tandem Paragliding offers to take you up with a skilled pilot (for a cost, of course). You can soar with the eagles on a 20 minute flight....no thanks but I think Steve would!
Next on the agenda was the Birds in Motion Demonstration...
Witness the incredible hunting skills of the eagle, hawk and falcon. Prepare to be awed by the incredible flying skills of the Peregrine Falcon, the world's fastest living animal.
They started with a Bald Eagle..
These birds fly right over your head!
About to land on the handlers arm for a snack...
Swooping in for a snack in the tub of water simulating catching a fish...
The Harris's Hawk swooping over the crowd...
Next was the handsome Turkey Vulture...
Swooping over the crowd...
The Great Horned Owl...
Duck!!!!
A very cool looking bird...
The grand finally was the very fast Falcon, simulating a mid air catch...
The show was amazing and the handler was quite funny! It reminded us of the Raptor Show at the Desert Museum in Tucson, AZ. But it was now going on 2:00 and we were hungry, so time to walk back to the Peak Chalet to one of the restaurants. Along the way, there is a zip-line that crosses above the trail. Instructor asking if their ready...
And their off!
Disappearing into the forest...
A couple of deer that are not at all bothered by the tourists...
Plaza below the chalet...
The popular spot was Altitudes Bistro but it was closing for a private event at 2:30 and there was a line-up to get in. So we went to Lupins Cafe...where we still had a bit of a wait but I'm sure we also saved ourselves a lot of money!
Steve managed to grab a prime table out on the deck while I paid for lunch...
Another way of getting up to the top of the mountain is to hike the 'Grouse Grind'...it is a very popular trail that is quite the hike. I'd love to do it but just not sure if my knees could handle it...and once you start on your way up, there is no turning around (although, I bet you some have!)
The Grouse Grind® is a 2.9-kilometre trail up the face of Grouse Mountain, commonly referred to as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.” Cooperatively supported by Grouse Mountain Resort and Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, this trail is very challenging. Keep in mind that there is a wide range of mountaintop trails that might better suit the average hiker.
This is a picture of a hiker at the top of the trail...
After lunch, it was time to head back up to the Alpine Plaza...
And the Peak Chairlift...
Doesn't look too bad...I think I can handle it...
The issue for me is sitting in the open chair. I am deathly afraid of heights but seem to manage as long as I am enclosed in a gondola or tram. Well...it scared the s#*t out of me on the way up! I had my eyes closed and was holding on for dear life most of the way...and it was so slow! I thought we'd never get up there! Not to mention my worst fear also materialized...it stopped mid way! Luckily it was only for a matter of seconds. The whole way up I was thinking...I'm not getting back on this...I'm walking down!
Made it...whew!!! The young fellow helping us from the chair said it's easier going down than it is going up...hmmm...we'll see...
The views are spectacular! We watched as a couple got ready to take off paragliding...
See all of the freighters anchored in the bay...
Very cool!
Another attraction (for an additional fee)....
The Eye of the Wind...Inspiring and revolutionary, this is the world’s first and only wind turbine that allows you to stand in a clear glass view POD at the top of the tower, three metres from its massive, rotating blades. Stand in awe of 360-degree views as you come face to face with the future of responsible energy.
However it was closed...
We wandered around the peak, admiring the views and taking pictures....
Unfortunately there was a lot of haze from the wildfires in Washington and Oregon...
I even took a selfie (was hoping for more scenery behind us in the picture but my arm wasn't long enough LOL)...
And now it's time to go back down....fine, I'll get back on the chair...
And it WAS much better...didn't love it, but I survived by looking straight out on the horizon enjoying the view...
That's Mount Baker in Washington...
Almost time to hop off....
We had about a half hour before the next attraction, the Lumberjack Show, so we wandered around checking out the snow equipment...
And had another visit to the Grizzly Bear habitat...
Pollinator's Garden...Located just off the path near BeaverTails, this specially crafted garden attracts pollinators of all sorts. With interpretive signage and benches, it is a wonderful retreat during your mountaintop adventures. Did you know that there are 56 species of native bees in the Greater Vancouver Area? 250 in BC? Thousands across Canada? Wild Pollinators such as wild bees, flies, butterflies, wasps, hornets, moths, hummingbirds and others play a very important role in pollination all around us.
At this point Steve's camera battery died and his spare was dead too, so these are from my phone.
And then it was time to get our seats on the bleachers to watch the show....
World-Famous Lumberjack Show...Grouse Mountain’s Lumberjack Show features a crew of champion performers showcasing their skills atop Grouse Mountain. An impressive outdoor set features two logging camps from the early 1900s, where Johnny Nelson from the Green River logging camp prepares to battle Willie McGee from Blue Mountain to determine the top lumberjack. The 45-minute show offers fast paced entertainment and features log rolling, a 60-foot tree climb, two-man peg and raker saws, axe throwing, and an exciting springboard chop - the only three-board event in North America.
We were on the green team. The axe is in mid air and he got a bulls eye!
Chainsaw carving...
A rabbit...
A very short video of the tree climb....
This was a very comical show of the logger's skills...
It was after 5:00 when we crowded onto the tram for the ride back down the mountain. What a great afternoon...so glad we were able to finally see the sights of Grouse Mountain!
Our rental...a Jeep Compass...
The first log Glenn found for his Grouse Mountain project was a 1200 year old tree that was found lying on the ground for 25 years in the Coquitlam water shed north east of Vancouver. The tree was cut into six pieces and transported to Grouse Mountain.
Grinder was found in 2001 in Invermere, BC. He was wandering alone on a logging road, dehydrated, thin, weak and weighing only 4.5 kg. His mother was never found so we’ll probably never know why he was alone. Grinder is outgoing and high-spirited. He has established himself as the dominant bear despite his smaller size. If you see Grinder and Coola play fighting, you can bet he started it.
In 2001, Coola was found orphaned on a highway near Bella Coola, BC. His mother had been killed by a truck and, of her three cubs, Coola was the only one to survive. Coola is an easygoing bear who’s content to let Grinder take the lead in new discoveries. He can usually be found submerged up to his neck in the large pond, carefully feeling around for his underwater 'bath toys' - a log, large bone and favourite rock.
North Shore Tandem Paragliding offers to take you up with a skilled pilot (for a cost, of course). You can soar with the eagles on a 20 minute flight....no thanks but I think Steve would!
Pollinator's Garden...Located just off the path near BeaverTails, this specially crafted garden attracts pollinators of all sorts. With interpretive signage and benches, it is a wonderful retreat during your mountaintop adventures. Did you know that there are 56 species of native bees in the Greater Vancouver Area? 250 in BC? Thousands across Canada? Wild Pollinators such as wild bees, flies, butterflies, wasps, hornets, moths, hummingbirds and others play a very important role in pollination all around us.
World-Famous Lumberjack Show...Grouse Mountain’s Lumberjack Show features a crew of champion performers showcasing their skills atop Grouse Mountain. An impressive outdoor set features two logging camps from the early 1900s, where Johnny Nelson from the Green River logging camp prepares to battle Willie McGee from Blue Mountain to determine the top lumberjack. The 45-minute show offers fast paced entertainment and features log rolling, a 60-foot tree climb, two-man peg and raker saws, axe throwing, and an exciting springboard chop - the only three-board event in North America.
It was after 5:00 when we crowded onto the tram for the ride back down the mountain. What a great afternoon...so glad we were able to finally see the sights of Grouse Mountain!
Glad you were able to enjoy the sights on the top of Grouse. We enjoyed the short time we spent up there this summer.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice finally seeing it...we've watched the mountain all lit up at night for years!
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