Hike: Hanes Valley

After we got up to Norvan Falls almost two weeks ago, we saw a sign that said "Grouse, 9km." We instantly decided that we should hike it the next weekend, and so we did.

The first 10k was gorgeous - nice forests, a little hilly but not too bad, lots of creek crossings.. 

 I bet that this would be a stunning view on a sunny day..

 Then we started to climb up stuff like this, with the rocks getting smaller and smaller, and the hill steeper and steeper..

I stopped taking photos after this point because it wasn't fun anymore. And stopping meant losing some momentum, which took forever to build.

We got to a 'false top' and then celebrated.. and then realized that we still had to go up. Not very fun! Eventually we made it down to Grouse and celebrated with beavertails devoured in about 2 seconds flat.

Location: Lynn Valley to Grouse.
Length: 15 km
Elevation: ~1000m gain
Time: Approximately 8ish hours.
Notes: Need two cars, or to take a bus to get to and from the trailhead/ends.

I don't think I'd ever do the full hike again, but the first ~10km to the boulder field (which I don't have photos of!) was really fun and beautiful. 

Hike: Minnekhada Regional Park

We were furniture shopping not too long ago out in Poco and we decided that we should go for a walk. D was dog-sitting a few dogs that weekend, so we decided to find a hike that he could bring them on. M ended up joining us as well and we headed out to Minnekhada Regional Park.

 The boys, and two VERY enthusiastic dogs.

 Some seriously giant trees.

 So green and pretty.. :)

 Moss. Love.

 Gorgeous wetland.

 R and one tired puppy.

Tired puppy number 2..

I think we 'hiked' for about 2 hours, but we probably could have done it in less. The walk itself was fairly easy, with little elevation gain. Trying to get the dogs to walk like normal dogs was almost impossible, and I think that was the reason that we were all kind of tired at the end.