Woohoo? Grouse Grind opens for 2015 on Friday at 6:15 a.m.

There's more than a few hiking trails on Grouse Mountain, but the most famous and least scenic of them gets all the press.

And that's probably how the hikers of those lesser-known trails would like to keep it. So let's talk about the Grouse Grind.

Mother Nature's Stairmaster, as it's branded, will open for the 2015 season this Friday (May 8). Not that its closure has stopped diehards from going up it in the off-season.

The Grind's opening hours will be 6:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. You don't want to be caught on that steep staircase in the dark without a headlamp.

Covering a distance of 2.9 kilometres (1.8 miles for American tourists), the trail ascends 853 metres (2,800 feet) from a base elevation of 274 metres (900 feet) above sea level to below the ski area chalet at 1,127 metres (3,700 feet). There's 2,830 stairs.

The average "Grind time" is reportedly 1.5 hours. I generally roll my eyes when someone mentions their Grind time though. Probably because mine is about average.

By the way, Grouse Mountain Resorts, which charges for parking and tram downloads, doesn't own the Grind. The trail sits on public land belonging to Metro Vancouver, the regional government.

Metro Vancouver offers this advice to would-be Grinders:

The Grouse Grind hike is difficult and those planning on climbing the trail should be in excellent physical condition. Those individuals with any health concerns including high blood pressure, heart and breathing problems are warned not to attempt to hike the trail.

Hikers should always be personally prepared before setting out on the Grouse Grind. As a minimum, you should leave a hiking plan with a friend, never hike alone, and carry adequate water, food, warm clothing and a cell phone.

Ensure that you leave yourself enough time to complete your hike before the onset of darkness. Hiking the Grouse Grind Trail in darkness can be extremely hazardous and results in many lost hikers each season.

In my opinion, the only way to get some enjoyment out of the crowded and deodorant-scented Grind is to use it as a free gateway to the mountains behind Grouse, which lie in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. Thunderbird Ridge, Goat Mountain, and Crown Mountain all make excellent destinations.

However, if you go for these peaks, you should definitely be prepared for backcountry travel and all of its risks. Especially on Crown, which involves scrambling and where one slip could be your last.

Happy hiking!