Once or twice a year I usually get an itch to get in a big climb up into the mountains above North Vancouver. Climbing is actually a great way to just turn all non-essential mental functions to 'off' and slip into a cadence-measured steady, almost rhythmic cardio workout. I packed extra food and water (and armour), which made for a heavier-than-normal load. I also made triple-sure I had a patch-kit, tire irons, and a couple of spare inner tubes packed. I once had a flat after climbing all the way to the top of Cypress and had wisely not packed anything to repair it with. It's a long walk back to Vancouver in cycling shoes. Determinism says we learn these lessons quickly.
Last summer about this time, and with the same goal in mind, I made my first ride up Mountain Highway. I recall that it was a total gong-show for vehicle traffic. A new approach was needed. I decided a better route was to keep to the east side of Lynn Creek and then cross Lynn as high up as possible.
These days, after crossing the Second Narrows Bridge, I carefully make my way westward to the junction of Main Street and Mountain Highway, turn right and follow Mountain Highway north. Just past Bruce Street Mountain Highway makes a hairpin west turn when it bumps up to the Trans Canada Highway. Here there is a path under the highway bridge which brings you to St Denis Avenue. Watch for traffic as you cross St Denis and then proceed northeast through Inter River Park. At the intersection of Inter River Road and Lillooet Road turn left and follow Lillooet Road all they way to the impressive new Metro Vancouver Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant, which just officially opened this past May.
At the Rice Lake Gate take a left off the round about and follow west, crossing Lynn Creek on a bridge shared with pedestrians, and please note that cyclists are asked to dismount and walk across. After crossing Lynn Creek it’s a short climb up Rice Lake Road to Lynn Valley Road. Cross Lynn Valley Road at Evelyn Street and cycle westward through Evelyn Park. Continue west along Evelyn, turn right at Hoskins Road and follow Hoskins north as it climbs up and turns to McNair Drive. At Mountain Highway turn right and climb steeply up to the yellow gate.
You will probably now start seeing intrepid guys and gals on full-suspension mountain bikes riding up to the numerous access points for the Mount Fromme trail system. I stopped for a quick breather and a Power Bar at the gate and decided that I would proceed upwards in half-hour intervals, stopping each 30 minutes for another brief rest. My strategy worked very well, until I ran out of gas. I did manage to make it for three stages, not sure the elapsed distance as I don't ride with an odometer, but I reckon I got to a point just before the switchback marked no. '9' on Map 6.
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Having climbed for an hour and a half up from the gate I decided I had enough and should be getting home. It took a scant 25 minutes to return down to the gate! I should mention here that the road up to Grouse Mountain is in active use and its not uncommon to encounter heavy equipment and dump trucks - remember it’s a good idea to pull over to the side of the road and give them the right-of-way.
Total elapsed time for this ride: a whopping five hours!
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