It was a beautiful sunny summer day, so I decided a hike was in order.  First off I thought that I would head to the North Shore for an easy day hike. As I loaded Koko and Tika in the car and started out across the Lions Gate Bridge in the blazing sun I quickly changed my mind and decided it was a perfect day to tackle the Chief again.  We did have some time constraints as the BMO Marathon was shutting down the street I needed to access our parkade... however I was sure this would not be much of a problem.

We arrive mid-morning and already it is difficult to find parking.  We are lucky to find parking at the furthest lot (instead of not at all!).  This time instead of hiking along a trail to shannon falls, the trail is up a wooden staircase that never seems to end! I made a mental note for myself to always get there early to avoid this entry way to the trail.  As it was so depressing - I decided not to photograph it.

After climbing the stairs the trail takes on a much more rugged look. 

As we climbed it quickly became obvious that many of the people on the trail were much faster than me, so I just let them go by.  No one was rude, everyone was just out enjoying the day as much as I was.  The dogs even thought I was going way too slow.  At regular points they would run ahead, then wait and look at me.  Sigh. At this point I promised myself that ice cream would be in order once I finished the hike.

There are some large trees on the hike, and some of the people on the trail decided to demonstrate just how large they were by giving one of them a big hug.  They insisted I take a photo, and I obliged. Here are some more stairs as we climb to the top. They may not seem like much, but you soon start to feel the burning in your legs.
In the April 14 post, there is a picture of one of the ladders up to the first peak.  That one was easier as I could just reach up and put the dogs on the ledge.  This one required a little more creativity.  One dog when in my backpack and I tucked under my arm. Climbing a ladder at this angle one handed was a little tricky - but we did it!  Down was harder. Approaching the top there is no trail, no steps and not much for grip.  At this point you hope you have some good grip on your shoes and up you go!  This really gives the calves a work out.  I did see one lady take her shoes off and climb up with bare feet.   So here we all are at the top.  Everyone is just hanging out enjoying the view - which is fantastic! (that is Squamish by the way)

This is the view of the second peak from the first.  That is for the next hike. As it was a hot day, Koko decided it was time for a swim.  He managed to find the only puddle of water on the mountain... full of silt and sludge.  He was rather muddy and in desperate need for a bath (He got one later). Tika on the other had was being a princess. No water for her!  On the way down, my little boy looked a little ragged and tired. It was time for a nap. Tika on the other hand was still ready to go!  Probably helps she doesn't has as much fur as he does.  He was pretty hot.

After the hike we went into Squamish and I bought ice cream.  The puppies each got their own dish of ice cream and I treated myself to a strawberry shake (I was driving after all). We had a nice drive home, sunroof open, sleeping dogs in their buckets.

A wonderful day overall.

Please note that I do not know any of the people in these pictures.  They were lovely to chat with along the way though!