Stats: 11.75 km / 460m gain / 3:10 hours MT
Because the parking lot was closed (it was open on our way back down), we did an extra 2 km / 107m gain / 25 minutes. We parked a few blocks down on Mill Rd. Th. We did the loop counter-clockwise. Julius Fromme, after whom this mountain is named, became owner of the Lynn Valley Lumber Co. in the early 1900s.
I think these poppies were planted along the old Grouse Mt. Hwy. I've never seen them in the wild before.
In 1860 this forest that was full of Western Hemlock, Red & Yellow Cedars + Douglas-Fir that were perfect for spars & timbers used by Canadian, American and British ship builders. Commercial logging commenced in 1885 as a local business in Lynn Valley. The Grouse Mt. Hwy. was originally a flume for carrying cedar shake blocks.
Sword Ferns. After a short stretch on the Grouse Mtn. Hwy we turned right onto the Cedar Tree trail and then soon a left onto Kirtkford bike trail.
The North Shore Mountain Biker Association does a fine job of maintaining these trails.
Common etiquette on this bikers trail is that we step aside for the bikers and as the first one passes, he'll let us know how many are following behind him. On the multi-use trails the bikers stop for the hikers.
We stayed right at 2 forks.
It was a steady climb to the top of the Seventh Secret. There we turned left onto the gravel road of the Grouse Mt. Hwy. This was the only far-reaching view we got -- northeast towards Lynn & the Needle Peaks. We also passed the Peer Gynt Trail that leads to the summit of Mt. Fromme. This would be the halfway point towards the peak.
Almost back at my car in the burbs. This little critter perked up when we passed.
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