Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vancouver, so naturally we were curious. Their free shuttle bus took us from Downtown to the park in less than 30 minutes - so easy!
The park was a verdant rain forest, and though it was cloudy, there was no rain that day. The first section of the park related its rich history. The first footbridge was built at this spot on the Capilano River back in 1889, using hemp rope and wooden planks. It soon became popular with adventurous locals. The bridge was rebuilt several times through the years, and a succession of owners added more activities to attract tourists. There were many beautifully carved First Nations totem poles, with the various animals representing family clans, spirits, or characters in folk tales.
Then it was time to walk across the Suspension Bridge! It was 460 feet long and 230 feet above the river. I was not nervous about the height, but the bouncing and swaying was a little unsettling. It was fun trying to walk without holding onto the cables. When I got back onto solid ground, I felt a bit woozy and off-balance, as if I’d been on a turbulent airplane flight.
On the other side of the river, the Treetops Adventure was a network of high platforms connected by suspension bridges. The platforms encircled eight magnificent Douglas firs, held up by adjustable collars that hugged the tree trunks with gentle pressure. The additional suspension bridges meant more bouncing and swaying. It was fun to be on those high platforms, so close to the tree canopy, but afterward I was glad to be back on terra firma.
The Living Forest Exhibit was a path that meandered along the forest floor. Through information panels, we learned about the trees and plants and the animals who lived among them. Some of the trees were more than 800 years old and over 250 feet tall - and they even had names like “Grandma Capilano” and “Big Doug.” And I saw my first live banana slug! Their thick slime causes numbness, so raccoons roll them in dirt and swallow them whole. Ew!
We walked back across the bouncy suspension bridge to try Cliffwalk. This was a series of narrow walkways projecting from face of the granite cliff, over 300 feet from the ground. It was excitingly high, like the suspension bridge, but without the unsettling movement.
As we exited, staff were handing out certificates that said “I Survived the Capilano Suspension Bridge.” But the park was so much more than just that famous bridge. It was a multi-level immersion in a magical, old-growth rain forest. As our bus drove across the Lions Gate Bridge, the view of the Vancouver skyline was a lovely finale for that special afternoon.
