Can someone enlighten me on Grouse Mtn. in Vancouver? I was there about 15 years ago training some employees in a new computer program. In my free time I took the cable car up to the top of the mountain and walked a trail from the chalet. It was very scenic and serene. However, I beat a hasty retreat when I spotted what appeared to be bear tracks. I understand there is a wildlife area there now, but are there actually free roaming bears in that area? I can't imagine BC would allow that.
Do they? Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Hi Cal;
Maybe you saw the same article on the CBC the other night. If not, they have a real bear problem in North Vancouver. Countermeasures include the garbage police and fines of $500. for unsafe storage. No, that's not firearms. Being yuppie B.C. they prefer using non-lethal means of dealing with the problem. They've caught peaple actually setting up feeding sites for the cute animals. That apparently is a no no.
Grizz

Grouse Mtn. although semi populated with yuppiie skiers and hikers is still more or less wilderness. There are Black Bears and Cougar in abundence up there and all over the north shore mountains from the ocean eastwards. I have prospected and hunted(where legal) in those mountains and they are as wild and even more rugged than people would believe. This is "coastal rainforest" and it is akin to a real jungle.
It is no surprise to me that people go missing in those mountains, they are just plain dangerous! derf

What derf said.

There are bears and cougars that come down out of the mountains and wlak right into the neighborhoods of the North Shore (where Grouse is located)

There are plenty of bears up there.

.......... and we just lost another hiker up there the other day. No sign of him has been found and the search is now over.

That area is NOT a zoo with nice paved "nature-walks". It is real wilderness, complete with meat-eating critters, as is most of this province.

EDIT NOTE

They have now found the hiker's body.

http://vancouver.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=bc_koch-found20050607

You look out the back side of Vancouver and all you see are BIG Beautiful Mountains. It's no surprise to me if there's bears in the area.

They pulled his body out this afternoon, another of the many people who come to B.C. and are "outdoorsmen" where they live, but, do not realize that this is, even in the most settled areas, among the most dangerous landscapes on the planet. He went for a walk in sandles, in the steep, slippery, jungle-like conditions of B.C.'s Coast Range and will go home, like so many others, in a body bag.

IF, you come to B.C., LISTEN to what those of us with decades of mountain experience are telling you, DO NOT go anywhere alone and wear and carry the right clothing/equipment, ALWAYS, this is NOT country to be careless in!

Oh well, if I want a long walk there's always Stanley Park. At least most of the predators are of the two-legged variety (ours are). I should apologize. That wasn't very kind. Actually, I find Stanley Park utterly gorgeous. Vancouver must be one of the only cities with a park like that within its borders. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal