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gnilma's Hiking Adventures 86 - Abby Grind
379 sats \ 6 comments \ @gnilma 20h alter_native
This week we head to Abby Grind, a relatively steep but short hike located in Abbotsford, BC. We went on this hike way back in July, 2020, five years ago, during which my kids were only 8, 7, and 2. The hike itself is about 3.4km ouy-and-back in length with approximately 420m elevation gain. I was pretty happy with my older kids making it to the top without too much complaints, and I was also happy my little one was still light, because I had to carry him up on a carrier. The hike was a series of steep switchbacks weaving in the forest. We went in the middle of summer during a dry stretch, so the trail was quite dry and dusty. There was plenty of shade throughout the hike, so that helped fend off the Sun's heat on a hot summer day. It took us about an hour to reach the viewpoint, as we were hiking with kids; should take less time if we went adult only. The viewpoint boasts views of Abbotsford's farmlands, Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway), Sumas River, and mountain ranges to the southeast along or beyond the US-Canada border. We spent some time hanging out at the viewpoint, ate some snacks, then made our way back to the parking lot. Interesting note, the parking lot was right next to a gun range, so we could hear gunshots near the trailhead.
At trailhead looking southwest. That green and white building is the Abbotsford Fish & Game Club, which contains a gun range.
Starting our hike up the steep trail.
Quarter mark.
Glad to see a flat section in the trail. Not a lot of those on this one.
Tree with three trunks.
An opening mid trail showing a nice view.
Plenty of shade on this hike, which was greatly appreciated on a hot summer day.
We've reached the viewpoint. Hikers can choose to continue to hike another 3.5km to reach Taggart Peak. We decided to just head to the viewpoint and call it a hike.
Views of farmlands, Highway 1, and a small section of Sumas River to the southeast. The mountain range far in the the background are located near of past the Canadian-US border. The small whitecap poking out from the back might be Mount Baker, although I'm not sure.
More from the viewpoint.
Heading back down to the parking lot.
We went to a park with a playground after the hike and realized they were wearing traffic light colour shirts. I thought this was a cute photo taken by my wife and thought I'll share it. This was 5 years ago, they're all so much bigger now.
Check out my previous hikes:
  1. The Panoramic Views of Panorama Ridge
  2. The Golden Larches of Frosty Mountain
  3. The Winter Snow of Pump Peak at Mount Seymour
  4. Sapphire Waters and Azure Skies of Battle Bluff
  5. It Isn't Always Sunshine and Blue Skies
  6. The Frozen River and Waterfalls of Maligne Canyon
  7. The Amazing Arches of Arches National Park
  8. The Bizarre Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park
  9. The Magnificent Stones of Zion National Park
  10. The Flowing Walls of Lower Antelope Canyon
  11. A Glimpse of Hope at the Hope Lookout Trail
  12. Turquoise Waters viewed from Sea to Summit Trail
  13. The Three Peaks of Mount Seymour
  14. The Serene Winter Scene at Dog Mountain
  15. Murrin Loop and Jurassic Ridge
  16. Yosemite National Park
  17. The Bear's Hump at Waterton National Park
  18. Views of Okanagan from Pincushion Mountain Trail
  19. The Half Frozen Waterfalls at Franklin Falls
  20. Hole in the Wall of Vancouver Island
  21. Sometimes You Just Get Lucky
  22. Winter Wonderland at Alexander Falls
  23. Eagle Bluffs
  24. Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park
  25. Admiralty Point
  26. Myra Canyon Trail
  27. Garabaldi Lake
  28. Botanical Beach Loop
  29. Wild Pacific Trail Lighthouse Loop
  30. Whistler Train Wreck Trail
  31. Grouse Grind
  32. Crown Mountain
  33. Chance Cove Coastal Trail
  34. Big Four Ice Caves
  35. Stawamus Chief First Peak
  36. Four Lakes Trail at Alice Lake Provincial Park
  37. Four Lakes Trail Winter Revisit
  38. Lindeman Lake Trail
  39. Malcolm Knapp Research Forest
  40. Steelhead Falls
  41. Cascade Falls
  42. Dawson Falls
  43. Bridal Veil Falls
  44. Kay Falls and Bear Creek Falls
  45. Lions Bay Loop and Crystal Falls
  46. Overlander Falls
  47. Flood Falls
  48. Marymere Falls
  49. Johnston Canyon Lower Falls
  50. Elfin Lakes
  51. Gold Creek Lower Falls
  52. Nairn Falls
  53. Lower and Upper Shannon Falls
  54. Brandywine Falls
  55. Mamquam Falls
  56. Cliff Gilker Park Waterfalls
  57. Snoqualmie Falls
  58. Norvan Falls
  59. Niagara Falls and Trestles at Goldstream Park
  60. Niagara Falls
  61. Ptarmigan Ridge
  62. Chain Lakes Trail
  63. Cambie Creek Loop
  64. Mushrooms of Norvan Falls Trail
  65. Cheakamus Lake Trail
  66. Panorama Ridge via Helm Creek Trail
  67. Saint Mark's Summit
  68. West Lion
  69. Elk Mountain
  70. Quarry Rock
  71. Bowen Lookout winter trail
  72. Black Tusk and Garabaldi Lake
  73. Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
  74. Smoke Bluffs Loop
  75. Dog Mountain Autumn Revisit
  76. Lake Louise Fairview Lookout Trail
  77. Pitt-Addington Marsh
  78. Mount Revelstoke National Park
  79. Joffre Lakes
  80. Crippen Regional Park and Killarney Lake
  81. Squamish Estuary Trail
  82. Grand Canyon South Rim
  83. Kanaka Creek Regional Park
  84. Jug Island Beach Trail
  85. Hole in the Wall at Olympic Peninsula
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50 sats \ 3 replies \ @Scoresby 20h
Reminded me of Grouse Grind, and then I checked and, sure enough, you had a write up of Grouse as well.
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102 sats \ 2 replies \ @gnilma OP 20h
I think it's natural for you to think of the Grouse Grind when seeing Abby Grind, because that's how Abby Grind got its name. It's essentially a shorter, slightly easier version of the Grouse Grind located in Abbotsford.
Have you hiked the Grouse Grind before?
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50 sats \ 1 reply \ @Scoresby 20h
My sisters and I used to hike it 10 or 15 years ago. Been a while though. I always liked going up.
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102 sats \ 0 replies \ @gnilma OP 18h
Cool. That's about the same years I used to do this hike once a week during the few months it's open. I may have ran into you and your sister without knowing it, haha.
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50 sats \ 1 reply \ @grayruby 18h
The kiddos are so little in this pic.
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40 sats \ 0 replies \ @gnilma OP 18h
Yes, they grow so fast. They're so much bigger now.
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