Lunch at top of Goat Ridge
Sheila writes…
A group of 11 took the gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain. From there we walked past the bear den where there was a wonderful tribute with photos of Grinder the Grizzly. Shortly after we started the uphill climb following the Alpine Train to the Goat Mountain Trail.
The original plan was to take the shortcut around the base of Goat Mountain to the beginning of the Goat Ridge Trail, but we hiked right by it and ended up going to the top of Goat Mountain instead which turned out to be the best option. Group flexibility is a wonderful thing!
The views along Goat Ridge couldn’t get any better and we couldn’t have wished for a more beautiful day, sunny skies with mostly white fluffy clouds dotting the skies. Many clear tarns along the way if we needed to fill our water bottles, or in Norwegian, tjerns, thank- you Gerd.
After a leisurely lunch and nap by some, we headed back to the base of Goat Mountain and took the short 10-minute route back to the top of 2 well placed chains. You could smell the freshly cut wood of the newly constructed helicopter pad along the route back. We stopped for a snack and drink there and took in one of the many views of Crown Mountain and the Camel.
The trail was muddy in spots from the previous night’s rainfall and very rooty and rocky, so you had to watch your step, but no bugs whatsoever and we ended up being the only ones on the ridge trail.
As always, thanks to everyone who joined my hike. It’s great to chat and catch up and it makes for a fun hike.
Photos courtesy Sheila
Layering of clouds, West Vancouver and tree line