Vancouver - Part 2: Capilano Suspension Bridge and Lynn Canyon

My last full day in Vancouver so I'm filling it with as much as I can. Woke up early to get to Capilano Suspension Bridge before they opened. There have been so many tourists that I knew I wanted to get a head start. So glad I did. I was the first car in the parking lot and the first person through the gates so I walked most of the walkways and elevated areas pretty much on my own. What a perfect way to start the day!

More totems at the entrance.

When I got to the bridge, which is 450 feet across and 230 feet up, I was the first to cross. I started going then let a young couple pass me so you could get some perspective on how long this bridge is. 

It sways when you walk - like walking while on a boat.

Phew! I made it!

The first bridge here was built in the late 1800's. Crazy! You can see some of of the walking paths along the sides of the canyon.

Rainforests are breathtaking! Wow!

One of the suspension bridges in the park.

A view of the underside of the bridge.

It's incredible walking through a rainforest. First time for me!

Another view of the bridge as I make my way down the path. Because I was there so early, I walked most of the path around the park on my own and didn't see a lot of people until I returned over the bridge. It was my walking meditation for the day.

I'm heading up there!?

One of the 7 suspension bridges in the forest.

Like many of my hikes, it's about going up, up and up!

My view from the top!

Look who I saw sitting up in a tree looking down at the pond that was filled with trout!!! A great big heron!!!

It swooped down right in front of me and landed on the bank of the pond. Apparently he waits for the workers to feed the fish (which they do 2 times a day) so he can go fishing when the fish are distracted with feeding.

I see herons in Maine but I was only a few feet from this one!

I LOVE this photo!!

I made my way back to the suspension bridge and it was filled with people. The way over, no problem. I don't love heights but a bit of swaying was okay. This was insane and took much longer. I was glad to get to the other side.

Once over the gaping canyon, I walked the walkway that is clinging to the side of the Capilano Canyon.

The walkway juts out over the canyon and I admit my stomach lurches even looking at these photos but I loved the whole walk along this path. It was spectacular looking out over the rainforest!

It ended at this lovely waterfall just in time to beat the hordes of people in line to get to the canyon. In all I was there about 3 hours and it was well worth the price of admission (about $35 US)

At this point it was about 11:00 so I decided to head to another canyon in the area called Lynn Canyon. It was only about 15 minutes away and it has another suspension bridge (albeit much shorter). What can I say, I'm a glutton for punishment! And it's free!

The bridge is about 158 feet in length but is more narrow and a bit scarier to cross with a lot of people going past you. The view from the middle was worth it.

While Capilano paths were more manicured and you stayed on the wooden pathways, this canyon is more like communing with nature with dirt paths and the ability to get right down to the bottom of the canyon and do some swimming. It was quite the hike down to the bottom and it was pretty warm at this point.

It took about 20-25 minutes for me to hike to Twin Falls and then down to the swimming hole past the falls.

The water is so clean and crystal clear!

And now, the hike back UP! SIGH!

Back across the suspension bridge with the view of the water down below.

All totaled, I was in the two canyons for about 5 hours and loved how beautiful and peaceful the forests were. I was there early for the first and then kept taking the less travelled paths for the second so I felt rejuvenated and happy (even if I was hot and sweaty). What a special day!