I remember feeling really good before I hit the quarter mark: my heart was pumping, sweat was beginning to form and the fresh air was glorious. I had even passed a few people.

I had decided to spend the morning doing the Grouse Grind in North Vancouver, what has been dubbed “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.” 

Not really a hike, the trail climbs almost straight up Grouse Mountain for 2.9 km, for an elevation gain of 853 metres. The 2,830 “stairs” vary from wooden manmade stairs to rocks acting as footholds.

The Quarter Mark

When I got to the quarter mark, it hit me that I still had the majority of the trail to go and it would only get steeper from here. Uh oh.

As I began panting heavier, I started getting worried about my fatigue level. I workout everyday, but one of the only things that can prepare you for this onslaught of steepness is a daily Stairmaster routine. Otherwise, you’re just like the rest of us gasping hikers. But I see the half way mark up ahead and I want to kiss it.

The Half-Way Mark

This is about the time I stopped thinking about anything other than making it to the top. My thought pattern was going something like, “Am I going to make it? I’m writing an article about it, so I have to finish. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, Lori.” Repeat. The rest of my mind was completely shut off.

Here, my philosophy also changed to: don’t stop, whatever you do, don’t stop. At some parts I was barely moving, but I kept going, only allowing myself to stop to take photos for this article and re-fuel with a swig of water. The music I listened to was the heavy panting of my own breath spun with that of the person in front or behind me.

The only distraction was the three moms who passed me with babies on their backs and two other women who chatted casually about which teachers they liked best at their children’s school, their 10-year old daughters tagging along behind. I could barely keep a conversation going in my head, let alone with another person!

The Three Quarter Mark

The last quarter kicked my-already-kicked butt. The trail turns into a straighter version of a spiral staircase: tight, steep steps that seem to go on forever. My best advice is to not look up. Seriously, just don’t look up.

Of course, I made it to the top and my drained body was replenished with new-found pride. My time? 1 hour and 18 minutes.

Then I did myself the biggest favour of all. After guzzling a couple litres of water and inhaling a few granola bars (there are also many food options in the chalet at the top), I got my ticket down the Skyride aerial tramway ($10)—the largest in North America—for a spectacular view of Vancouver.

You can also buy a full day admission pass for $39.95 that includes Theatre in the Sky, guided eco walks, the wilderness sanctuary with grizzly bears and grey wolves, the Lumberjack Show, chairlift, snowshoeing, ice skating and sleigh rides.