Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver

June 28 was a very nice day with beautiful sunshine and mild temperature, I decided to visit Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver. I had a coupon of 2 for 1 admission but I couldn't find any companions since my friends either found it too expensive or were scared of height...

If I commuted from Richmond to North Vancouver by public transit, it would consider 3 zones and cost 5 bucks. In order to save money for the admission, I first drove my car from Richmond to Vancouver, parked on a small street and then transferred to Downtown bus with fare $2.50. At Canada Place in Downtown, I got on a free shuttle to Capilano Suspension Bridge!

The entrance fee wasn't cheap at all ... $32.95 plus HST (total around $36). Since I am BC resident, I can visit the park again for free in one year. Although it's a bit pricy, I think it's a very good experience to go there ... at least once in a lifetime.

First Nations Totem Poles

More totem poles and sculptures of First Nations

Kia'palano - First Nations Cultural Centre Map of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
It is like a rainforest park in North Vancouver

"Go! Go! Go! Keep walking. Don't go back." Yeah! I finally walked through the suspension bridge! It was built in 1889 (more than 120 years old). According to its website, the original bridge was constructed of hemp rope and cedar planks. Today's bridge is made of reinforced steel safely anchored in 13 tons of concrete on either side of the canyon.

Wow! It’s definitely long and HIGH! 450 feet (137m) long and 230 feet (70m) high. If one story in a building is 10 feet high, then this bridge is equivalent to a building of 23 stories.


It’s a very educational trip to explore the park and read the information about this West Coast rainforest ecosystem.



Don’t Eat That!
I thought it means the listed plants are not edible. Instead it indicates the plants (huckleberry, Oregon grape, salal and Hemlock needles) are edible.
I wonder if these medicinal plants can be found in Chinese herb dictionary?


Nature’s Edge where I found a measurement of the height of Hemlock, Red Ceder and Douglas-Fir in 19 years, 16 years and 12 years respectively.


Treetops Adventure (to experience squirrel’s eye view of the forest) – walk from one magnificent Douglas fir tree to another on a series of seven suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 100 feet (30m) above the forest floor = 10 stories!



This NEW Cliffwalk was open to the public on June 3 – It’s a 20 inches wide walkway suspended from the side of a cliff and from 300 feet above the canyon floor (or Capilano River) . How fear is it? The web says it is high and narrow and, in some sections, glass (very strong glass) is all that separates guests from the canyon far below. I tried, it was okay … not fear but a very amazing experience to enjoy the spectacular river and rainforest views!

There are many informative signs about the rainforest ecosystem.



Q&A:
While water covers most of the earth’s surface, how much is actually usable?

1% is usable, only 0.26% is drinkable. (So don't waste water) Does Canada have an endless amount of freshwater? No – while we hold 20% of the world’s freshwater, only 7% of that is renewable and available for use.




It was fun to explore Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, all the attractions there were worth to visit. I may return there again in the near future since the second visit is free!