BCMC Grouse Trail

I prefer this path over the Grind because it’s less busy. Here you can enjoy peace and quiet. I found that this trail can be quite a workout depending on your pace. It’s quite hard in the middle but gets easier as you go. I sweat a lot and it didn’t quite kick me as hard as the Grind does but it’s still a very good workout.
The major pro is that it’s not as stupidly busy as the Grind. Even on a day when the Grind is full of smelly sweaty people you can often find yourself all alone with just the sound of rustling trees and the smell of nature. No sprays of sweat from passers by or bad BO from strangers filling your nostrils on this trail.
I think I kinda got lost at the end of the trail as it’s not that well marked. But I found my way eventually.
Overall a great hike. I’ll avoid the Grind on busy days and do this one!

With the intentions of going on Grouse Grind, we came here instead because Grouse Grind was closed. This trail was so difficult; it was continuous uphill for two hours, and I’m not quite convinced that the view at the top was worth it. The entire path is shaded though, which is good because I can’t imagine climbing this in the heat. The path is also well laid out; there are orange stickers on trees indicating the pat, except the label ps had numbers which I took to mean how much of the path we already had traveled. But, that was not the case. It’s a difficult hike, not to be taken lightly, but it’s a good workout. Good part is, it leads up to the sky ride so you can ride it down!

A less steep descent doesn’t mean a less scary one!
I took the Grind up the mountain and thought I’d try to avoid the line for the Skyride down. After reading the previous reviews, I thought, «okay, maybe the Grind’s less-​steep, less-​crowded cousin would be a good hike down.» This is true in some ways: the ambience is a lot more pleasant than the Grind, as there are so many fewer people on it, and you do feel a lot closer to nature. However! It might be less steep than the Grind, but it is definitely a lot less maintained and so it is a bit more difficult to keep your footing on the way down. Some people passed me on the way down; they must have crazily sure footing or something. I slipped quite a few times. It’s one of the few trails I’ve taken that took longer to hike down than to hike up.
This is no staircase. Take your time, watch your footing, and keep an eye out for the little markers.

Compared to the Grind the BCMC is a serene and relaxing nature walk. How could that be you ask? Are they not the same distance? Yes, the BCMC is even a bit longer. Is the elevation gain not the same? Yes (of course).
Then WHY?!
Well, it seems as though only a small fraction of Grouse hikers choose this trail which means you won’t find yourself jostling up against a rotund, shirtless, hairy backed man when you should be communing with nature.
Really, does one need any other reason?

I went on this hike this past weekend due to the closure of Grouse Grind. They were working on clearing out snow and repairs before opening up. I would say it is equally as challenging as the Grind in terms of elevation. It will probably take you roughly 10 – 15 minutes longer due to the increased mileage of the trail.
You will start the route out in the same area as the Grouse Grind. Eventually the trail will fork and left will be the Grind and right will be BCMC. Essentially you follow the orange markers which are usually found on trees to stay on the BCMC trail. Virtually impossible to get lost since it is well marked and well maintained.
At about ¾ up the trail we hit the snow line and we were hiking in snow all the way to the top. It was a pretty unique experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is a nice route to try out for you frequent Grinders. You should check it out to get a slight change in scenery.

In all my times of going to Grouse to do my hike, I have never travelled the «other» trail. I must say that this trail is very different from the regular «Grind» we all know.
When you start the regular Grind you will eventually hit a fork in the road. You can either choose left (the regular trail), or choose the right (BCMC). I finally decided to go to the right, and I heard this trail is not as steep and hard as the Grind, but it is longer. What I have to say is, if you want a more natural hike, take this trail. It will probably add a good 30 minutes to your regular hike, as the path is not as straight forward like the Grind. You have to look out for these small markers that are stapled on to the trees keeping you on path. It’s not as steep, there definately is not that many people on this path, and there’s no man made stairs that you will see.
It was actually quite enjoyable to say the least, taking this route, and I would do it again when I want to take a stroll, and not race up the mountain. For people who say they can’t do the Grind, take them on this trail, just bring lots of water, and take your time with this one, you will end up in the same place at the end!

I’m a Vancouverite, born and raised and well, I’ve never done the Grouse Grind and honestly never wanted to do it. My friends convinced me to go with them tonight by telling me that there was a «lesser» trail that went to the top.
I thought, «sure, why not? All you’re going to do is go home and watch General Hospital anyway.» The trail itself was all roots and rocks and way less crowded than the Grind. We took our time, enjoying the scenery and admittedly, I needed to stop a lot since my fat ass is so out of shape but it was all good. I recommend it for people who are apprehensive about doing the Grind — this was a friendly introduction to the mountain for me. People were amiable, my friends were patient and in the end I didn’t care what my time was (2.5 hours) because I climbed a mountain today and lived to tell the tale.