Mount Fromme

May 14, 2021

Distance: 10.2km

Elevation gain: 930m

Time required: 5-6 hours

Mount Fromme is a stand-alone peak that sits to the east of Grouse Mountain. It is one of the mountains that can be distinctively seen from all over Vancouver and the Lower Mainland when gazing at the North Shore. It is very popular year-round. I particularly love snowshoeing it.

There are several different routes to get to Mount Fromme:

• Via Grouse Mtn Highway (longest route - 18km)

• Via St. George's Trail off of St. George's Ave (what I like to do and what the stats are for)

• Via Cascades Trail off of Prospect Rd (similar to above)

• Via Grouse Resort (shortest route at 9.5km but need to start from top of Grouse Mtn)

As just mentioned, I like to take the route via St. George's Trail. This is closest to where I live and makes for a shorter trip than say Grouse Mtn Highway.

At the end of the cul-de-sac on St. George's Ave, there is a gravel path beside one of the houses. Taking this leads you out onto Powerline Trail where you take a right and then the first left onto St. George's Trail. This is a mountain biking trail that intersects many other mountain biking trails. After awhile, the trail leads out onto the gravel Grouse Mtn Highway where you take a left. At the bend, continue straight into the trees and take the first trail on the right (Per Gynt). This trail leads all the way to the summit (you will have to cross Grouse Mtn Highway again at some point). The journey will take anywhere from 2-2.5 hours to reach the summit.

There was hard-packed snow starting at 1000m elevation. I didn't bring spikes but it would have been easier with them as I did some post-holing.

Mt Fromme summit. The snowy peaks in the background are Mt Bishop, Deacon Pk, & Presbyter Pk. The Needles are visible on the right.

Overlooking Lynn Headwaters Regional Park peaks: The Needles (3 bumps on the very left), Lynn Peak (centre), and South Lynn Peak (right)

Past Mount Fromme (about 20-25 mins) is a rock outcrop known as Senate Peak. It offers views of Grouse Mountain.

Overlooking Grouse Mountain (with tower) from Senate Peak. Dam Mtn is in the centre, Crown Mtn visible beside/behind it (the two rocky humps)

The journey to Mt. Fromme is not overly challenging, making it a great alternative to the vastly more popular Grouse Grind. There is no technical terrain and the elevation gain is gradual. Plus you are rewarded with infinitely better views than Grouse Mountain.