Mount Fromme


Mount Fromme is a mountain on the North Shore of Vancouver, British Columbia, and a key North American mountain biking destination. Looking towards the North of the Burrard Inlet three mountains are clearly visible (Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour, and Mt. Fromme). Mt. Fromme (commonly referred to as Grouse Mountain because of its proximity to the ski resort of that name) has downhill trails that have made a name for the North Shore riding style. Mount Fromme features various trails, many of which are part of the NSMBA (North Shore Mountain Biking Association). Some of these trails are sponsored by companies which provide money to maintain the trails. There is also a nudist club called Van Tan Nudist Club past the second switch back on mountain highway. Members of the club are given access to the location by vehicle which is usually blocked of by a gate. Mount Fromme features green, blue, black, double black and "triple red" trails.

Mount Fromme
Mount Fromme from Sunrise Park in East Vancouver
Highest point
Elevation1,185 m (3,888 ft)
Prominence235 m (771 ft)
Coordinates49°22′55″N 123°03′25″W 
Geography
LocationBritish Columbia, Canada
Parent rangeNorth Shore Mountains
Topo mapNTS 92G/06
Climbing
Easiest routeMt. Highway

Mountain Biking

Mt. Fromme is a popular destination for many bikers during the summer. The trails are accessed via Mountain Highway, though bikers have to ride up as the gravel path is restricted to vehicle access with special privileges. The path eventually leads to Grouse Mountain. The easier trails are usually located at the bottom of the hill while the advanced ones are further up. The majority of the trails are located below the seventh switchback.

Notable Trails

There are approximately 40 mountain biking trails in total though many of them have become not ride-able due to lack of maintenance. Companies can sponsor trails to maintain them.

Bobsled

Bobsled is the most popular trail on Mount Fromme. It is past the first switchback a little further than Floppy Bunny. The trail is a very fast, smooth trail resembling a pump track that contains a lot of berms, bumps, and jumps. There are several ladder bridges and drops. The trail is rated a green/blue. The run is a green if none of the features are attempted but a blue if they are.


Baden-Powell Trail

Though it is mainly a hiking trail, many mountain bike trails end at various points along the Baden Powell which bikers use to get back to Mountain Highway. It contains ladder bridges and several technical rock features. The Baden Powell is rated a blue trail.

38DD

38DD is a very advanced trail which is situated between the third and fourth switchback. It is most notable for the giant drop at the opening of the trail which launches off from a massive boulder. There is an alternate entrance that starts higher up on Mountain Highway. It is rated as a triple red diamond trail (the hardest difficulty) but is now decommissioned and is in disrepair.

Air Supply/Jerry Rig

Air Supply is a trail located on the sixth switchback after Oil Can. It is currently decommissioned and all the jumps which used to be on it are now destroyed. It used to contain massive jumps and drops, some of which still exist but are unsafe to ride. Air Supply branches onto the trail Jerry Rig (which is sometimes called Lower Air Supply). Jerry Rig officially starts further up Mountain Highway. It contains massive ladder bridges, many of which are over 10 feet in the air and under six inches thick, giant jumps and wall-rides, almost all of which are in disrepair and unsafe to ride. Both trails are triple red diamonds and deposit onto the Baden-Powell Trail.

The Flying Circus

The Flying Circus is a triple red diamond run constructed by a North Shore biker Dangerous Dan. It starts just below Upper Oil Can and is known for the extremely challenging skinnies and ladder-bridges which are very thin and high in the air. Some of the skinnies require the rider to do a bunny hop to maneuver around the corners.

The Flying Circus is now decommissioned.

Floppy Bunny

Floppy Bunny is a popular trail found before Bobsled on the climb up. It is a black diamond but can be ridden as a blue if none of the optional features are attempted. It contains an optional jump line but several mandatory wood features.

Hiking

Mount Fromme also contains a few hiking trails. Some trails are shared biking and hiking trails. Some hiking-only trails include St. Georges which connects the Baden Powell Trail with Mountain Highway just before the seventh switchback, and Per Gynt which connects the seventh switchback to past the eighth. The summit trail to Mount Fromme winds through second growth forest, gaining a final 350 meters of elevation. The false summit of Mount Fromme has hiking trails that connect to Grouse Mountain and Goat Mountain. The summit offers views of Cathedral Mountain, Mount Burwell, Mount Coliseum, Fannin Range, The Needles, Lynn Peak, Seymour Mountain, and Mount Baker. The summit typically sees snowpack until mid to late June.

See also
  • "Mount Fromme". BC Geographical Names.
  • "Mount Fromme". Bivouac.com.
  • Mount Fromme is a worthwhile North Shore hike
  • Overview of trails with links to trail descriptions and maps
  • Hiking to the summit of Mount Fromme
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