Sea to Sky Adventures in Squamish, BC

I have to be honest.  When I first heard of the proposal to build the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, I was a doubter and really not thrilled with the thought of paving paradise to put in a parking lot.  Sometimes in life you have to earn the view, and to me hiking is one of those activities that rewards hard work and perseverance.  I also believe strongly in no impact camping and preserving nature for future generations.

Sea to Sky Gondola Parking Area - Squamish, BC

However, I was convinced to try the Sea to Sky gondola to see for myself.  Opened in 2014, the Gondola transports visitors from the parking lot adjacent to the Sea to Sky highway to the lodge at 885 meters.

Base Facilities - Sea to Sky Gondola - Squamish BC

We purchased our tickets, hopped in line and joined a young family in the Gondola car.  We were quickly whisked up the mountain.  The views from the Gondola were absolutely spectacular!  Unfortunately, we missed most of them, as we were completely taken with the young 'uns who shared our Gondola.  The kids were ages 2 and 4, and mom was pregnant with her 3rd baby.  They were dressed in muddy buddies, boots and toques and their excitement was contagious!  Hurrah for a young family connecting their kids to nature!  The little man, excitedly exclaimed GABOLA every time we passed another Gondola car.....it's the small things in life isn't it?

Summit Lodge - Sea to Sky Gondola - Squamish, BC

We soon arrived at the top, bid farewell to our newest "favourite" family and stopped in at the lodge.  Magnificent!  The Summit Lodge featured a restaurant, bar, tea house, gift shop and a sheltered place to take in the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.  After reviewing the trail maps, we began our hike by crossing the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.  This bridge is 100 metres long and a definite crowd favourite. Having said that, we were surprised at how many people were truly fearful of crossing the suspension bridge.  It seemed a shame for them to miss out on the trails that beckoned from the other side.

Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge - Sea to Sky Gondola - Squamish, BC

Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge - Sea to Sky Gondola - Squamish, BC

The area is extremely well maintained.  In fact, we both commented that if felt a bit like visiting Tom Sawyer Island in Disneyland.  The trails and viewing platforms are well planned, well marked and feature signage highlighting the natural features along the way.

View of Sky Pilot - Squamish, BC

We enjoyed the views, and then decided to follow the trail leading out to the back country access.  We chose the Skyline Pilot trail hoping to take in views of Pilot and Copilot along the way.  It was an easy hike, with relatively little elevation gain and before we knew it, we were feasting on a picnic lunch at the end of the marked trail.  We joked that although the sign said end of the trail, we felt like it was only the beginning.  Despite the lodge and gondola being very busy, we did not encounter a single soul on the back country access trail.  I must confess...that is how we like it.

End of the line...Sky Pilot Valley Trail

We made our way back to the Lodge and decided to pop in for a coffee.  The lodge is a fantastic place to people watch.  It is a strange mixture of seasoned hikers (the ones covered in mud who refused to take the gondola up, and instead climbed and grunted their way to the top), tourists from all over the world and some of the best dressed hikers I have ever seen.  I could barely believe my eyes as a group of ladies in high heels made their way to the bar, purchased a couple of bottles of wine and settled in on the outdoor deck beside the roaring fire.  In truth, I still can't quite believe there was a bar up there!  Time passed quickly as we enjoyed the views...both those of nature and the people!

I left with mixed emotions.  We had definitely passed many people who physically would not have been able to visit this area had they been required to hike up on their own.  The demands of the hike would have been too much.  The Gondola has opened up an area of the mountain that many would not have the opportunity to visit.  Sea to Sky adventures appears to be attempting to blend education into the mountain experience and have created a wonderful opportunity for many to learn more about the mountain vegetation, wildlife and natural history.  Additionally, easy access to the back country provides hikers opportunities for expanded hiking options in the area.  Admittedly, we enjoyed a great day of hiking and yet there still is a part of me worried that we paved paradise to put in a parking lot.

Selfie Props - Sea to Sky Gondola - Squamish, BC

Giggle of the day:

We had the pleasure of riding the Gondola down the mountain with a couple of Aussies (it seems every fun story also begins with a couple of Aussies ) and a couple of gentlemen from Israel.  One of the Israelis was valiantly trying to share a story with us in English when his cell phone rang.  His ring tone was the theme song from the old western "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly".  We all broke out into laughter and then Rob asked the question we were all thinking....which one are you?  Without missing a beat, he replied, in perfect English...I am good.  It left us pondering which gondola the bad and ugly might be on.


Map and route tips

Fees

Gondola download is available for those hardy souls who hike up and want to relax on the way down.  There is a charge to download.

Trail maps available at the kiosk.

Interactive Map

#explorebc #SeaToSky #Squamish #yvr #vancouver #discoveroutdoors

The Stawamus Chief - Mother Nature's Stair Climber

The Stawamus Chief is an iconic landmark.  It dominates the Squamish skyline and attracts tourists, hikers and climbers from all around the world.  This magnificent granite wall beckons you to approach and climb her.

View from 2nd Peak - taken on a sunnier day!

The Chief can be very busy as people flock to the area to test their fitness levels and take in the magnificent views from the three peaks.  On a clear day, the summit offers panoramic views of Howe Sound, the Squamish town site and the adjacent mountains. We prefer to hike the Chief in low season to avoid the crowds, as during the summer you can sometimes feel that you are experiencing trail gridlock.

Today was a perfect day to hike.  The weather was overcast and showers were in the forecast.  We knew that the views up top would be limited because of low cloud, but we felt the trade-off was worth it - very few folk on the trail.

Falls are picture perfect!

The trail begins climbing almost as soon as you leave the trail head.  As your heart rate starts to rise, you begin to realize that this will not be a casual stroll in the park.  The sound of the waterfall roars beside you and encourages you to keep going.  Today I hoped that the roar of the falls would cover the sounds of my huffing and puffing.

Series of stairs at beginning of hike

BC Parks does a fantastic job maintaining the park and trail.  The route to the peaks is well marked, with stairs and bridges strategically placed to aid hikers on their trek up.  It should be noted that the area is nesting habitat for Peregrine Falcons and often between April and June designated climbing routes will be closed to protect the nesting birds.

Chains assist climb on way to 2nd peak

Today we chose to go past the turn for the 1st peak and head straight to the second peak for lunch.  That is when the excitement began.  It was raining quite heavily by the time we reached the trail to second peak.  The rock was wet and slippery.  As we crawled and clawed our way up the rock, clinging to the fixed chains we began to wonder if we should have waited for a drier day.  The rock was really slippery.  By the time we reached the fixed ladder we were debating the wisdom of continuing on.  Truthfully, I was more worried about going back than pushing on.  We rested for a few minutes, caught our breath and then continued the climb.  We were not the most graceful looking pair as we clung to the rock.  Thankfully, we soon reached the top of the second peak.  The clouds briefly lifted and we took the opportunity to take in the view and shoot a few pictures.

Waiting for clouds to break for view of Howe Sound

Feeling rested and thankful to have finished the ladder section, we began looking for the trail to the third peak.  As we roamed about, three young guys approached.  They were also in search of the route to the third peak and they were feeling exactly as we were....it was too slippery to go back the way we had come.  There must be another way down!  We began to search for the trail together.

Granite everywhere!

We managed to find the trail markers leading to the third peak and enjoyed a breathtaking view while munching on our lunch.

Fragile beauty on 3rd peak

Not wanting to revisit the ladder and chains we made the decision to return via the Slhanay trail.  Although not as popular or as well marked, the Slhanay trail is amazing.  Within minutes you feel as though you are back in prehistoric times.  The trees are huge, the smells are fresh and the vegetation is lush.  It is like a land before time.

Return trip on Slhanay Trail

After descending for quite a distance, the Slhanay trail eventually joins back to the Chief trail.  As we drew near to the series of stairs we encountered a school group.  Thirty middle school students and two courageous teachers were on a geography field trip.  We chuckled to ourselves as some things just don't seem to change and we were reminded of our glory days chaperoning school trips.  There was a core group of kids at the front, literally racing up the mountain, a group in the middle more interested in chatting than looking at rocks or trails and the few stragglers who really didn't want to be anywhere near the mountain.  We congratulated their teachers on their ambition and dedication and wished them luck.

Giggle of the day:

The weather broke for a few minutes, so we decided to lay out our foamie and enjoy lunch from the second peak.  As we were peering out from the ledge and admiring the view, I began to think of the recent slide.  Thankfully, there were no injuries or damage to property.  However, a big hunk of that magnificent granite wall had simply fallen off.  I am sure there are numerous geotechnical terms for the actual event, but at that moment all I could think of was a slab of mountain falling off.  I inched a little further back from the edge, and sweetly asked Rob if it made him feel a little uneasy sitting on the edge of a mountain that a few days ago had "fallen off".  Rob said and I quote, "I was feeling pretty good about our lunch spot, but thanks for sharing your thoughts."  FYI - a few minutes later, I noticed he inched a little further back.


Map and Route tips:

There is a campsite at the base of the Chief, complete with slack lines.  Vehicle and walk-in sites are available.

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park and Protected Area

Trail Map

Be sure to visit Shannon Falls if you are in the area!

Paddle Forward - Voyageur Canoes & Reckies Storm the Beach

We were invited to join Paddle Forward - a beach cleanup event in North Vancouver hosted by the "Reckies" - Outdoor Recreation students from Capilano University.  How could we resist a day on the water paddling a voyageur canoe in search of marine debris?  It seemed like a perfect outing for us!

Our day began at Cates Park in North Vancouver.  This beautiful seaside park offers 6 km of waterfront trails with spectacular views of Indian Arm to the north and the Burrard Inlet to the south.

Welcome sign to Cates Park

Swimming Area with view north to Indian Arm

The boat launch is open year round and well used by paddlers, power-boaters and anglers.  We were excited at the opportunity to paddle a Voyageur.  We learned that the larger canoe we were going to use for the day was called a Montreal canoe.  The canoes were graciously donated for use during the event by Ridge Wilderness.

These boats are beasts!  They can hold up to 22 people and all of their gear - a bit roomier than our sea-kayaks.  Although our boat quickly filled with garbage, we tried to remind ourselves of the earlier days when the fur traders would load their canoes with furs and goods to trade.  It is unimaginable to think of portaging these monsters!

Getting ready to launch the canoes

It was nerve racking to watch the team reverse the trailer with those huge canoes down the boat ramp.  I know for sure that I would not want to drive the truck and trailer.  However, our team, led by guides from Ridge Wilderness handled it like pros and made it look easy.  A very smooth start to our day.

Micro-biologist looks downward as the Marine biologist looks out

Safety talk and trip prep

After a brief safety talk, we donned our life jackets and loaded up the canoe.  Again, we were amazed at the size of these boats and I wondered if we had a strong enough team to paddle across the inlet.  Within a few strokes it became apparent that the boats were surprisingly maneuverable - credit to our guides of course.  We quickly crossed the inlet and were out and on the beach in search of garbage before we knew it.

All aboard

When does marine debris become habitat?

Event organizers take a bow

Garbage barge

I am saddened to say that it only take a short amount of time before we had filled the canoe with garbage.  The team was forced to decide whether to continue with garbage collection, meaning several of us would have to swim back, OR, call it a day and paddle back.  For a moment I was nervous that this dedicated and energetic group of students weren't joking and would ask us to swim.

Although we were very upset by the amount of garbage, on the bright side, it was inspiring to see that a few people, a big canoe and a little bit of time can make such a substantial difference.  As Dr. Seuss pointed out in the Lorax, "UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, It's not."

  As we celebrated during the post cleanup BBQ, we felt inspired by these "Reckies" and that they did care a lot.  We felt confident that these students would continue to advocate for the care of these waters and the amazing BC coastline.

Celebration Picnic

To the dump

Giggle of the day:

It would be impossible to load up a canoe with University students on a long weekend and not giggle.  There were countless bad garbage jokes and lots of teasing, however, my favourite was our early morning paddling lesson.  We all sat patiently in the canoe as we were taught a forward stroke, a back stroke and how to rest.  I giggled as the "resting" stroke quickly became our favourite and the one that the group mastered the quickest!

How do you do the rest stroke again?

...and here is a video of the action from the uneqivocal Cap OREC team....enjoy!

Map and Route Tips:

There is a boat launch and parking fee.

Cates Park offers a picnic shelter, concession area and washrooms.

We tested our Strava mapping tool while paddling the inlet....it appears that we must have entered the Bermuda triangle for the first section of the paddle.

Cross Border Shopping

On the weekends, the border beckons many a Canadian shopper looking for great deals down "south."  I must confess, we take a sick pleasure in doing our cross border shopping by bicycle, although the size of our panniers does severely limit the shopping experience.  None the less, it is a cheap thrill to cycle past those long weekend lineups of weary shoppers idling in their cars.

This trip we decided to venture across the line in search of Tillamook cheese.  Yes - we are the cliche.  Canadians who cross the line for cheese.  I have stopped being embarrassed by the "cheese head" label, and have instead proudly embraced the name.  Years ago, on a family camping trip to Oregon we stumbled upon the Tillamook Cheese Factory and have been faithful connoisseurs ever since.  The Cheese Factory is an award -winning farmer-owned dairy co-op based in Tillamook, Oregon and the cheese is fantastic....not to mention the ice cream!

Improved bike lane on 20th Ave. in Surrey, BC

Our route took us along Zero Avenue on the Canadian side of the border.  Although, quite hilly, the route is peaceful and scenic.  As you cycle along the border, you pass large estate homes and farmland.

Border marker on zero avenue

Welcome to Washington - Official Signage

We followed Zero Avenue to the border crossing at Highway 13 near Aldergrove.  The Custom's Officer was friendly and teased us as we produced our Nexus cards.  He seemed to enjoy the irony of cyclists using Nexus cards to speed up the entry process to the United States.

Welcome to Washington - Unofficial Signage

For those who may miss the Welcome to Washington State sign, the sight of the Marijuana Tour Limo provides a clue that you have entered Washington State, where pot has been legalized.

Dairy farms line the road

The return trip on the US side of the border is a little less hilly.  Once again, farms line the road and you begin to feel miles and miles away from the big city.  Today we enjoyed a quiet ride.  Only the odd cow seemed remotely interested in our presence.

Prior to heading home, we stopped in Blaine to take in the view of the harbour and of course, pick up our cheese!  We proudly purchased 7.5 pounds - yes pounds - of Tillamook Cheese.  I tried to put it all in Rob's panniers when he wasn't looking, but unfortunately, he seemed to read my mind and we ended up sharing the load.

Viewpoint of Harbour - Blaine, WA

Border traffic was very heavy by the time we were ready to return to Canada.  Amid the good natured catcalls and folks taking our pictures we made our way to the front of the line.  Quite a testimonial to the benefits of active transportation!

LOVE the lineups - when on a bike

As we approached the Douglas Border crossing we hopped off our bikes in order to enjoy Peace Arch Provincial Park.  This 9 hectare park straddles the border and is a beautiful, well maintained park space.  The Peace Arch Monument serves as a landmark and symbol commemorating the lasting peace between Canada and the United States.  The arch is engraved with "Children of a Common Mother" on one side and "Brethren Dwelling Together in Unity" on the other side - powerful messages.

In the summer months, the park is full of tourists and the Arch is a popular gathering place for folk from all around the world.

Peace Arch Monument in the background

What traffic?

Welcome to BC - Visitor Centre

Giggle of the day:

The ride along 0 Avenue features a series of hill climbs.  You will often see road cyclists using the loop for training as this route is generally free of traffic and the rolling hills are perfect for providing that little extra challenge. Now, I must confess I am not the fastest rider even on flat terrain, with the wind at my back, but I do try my best.  Today was no different.  I took a look at the hill, dug-in and worked hard on keeping a steady cadence as I began to climb.  I was feeling quite proud of my efforts until I came up to a radar trap.  The policemen were happy to inform me that I was doing a nice, comfortable leisurely 17 mph.  They snickered a little at the word "leisurely."  I waved and tried to smile as I grunted and groaned my way past them.  And, yes, Rob was quite a distance ahead....his mashing technique does seem to be effective on those hills!  I did not ask what he was clocked at!  Sometimes, it is just better not to know.

Map and Route Tips:

On the return to Canada there is a special entrance for bikes, and if you have a Nexus card, you will fly through the lineup.

The shoulders on this route are very narrow or non-existent, so cyclists should be comfortable riding in traffic.  Not a good route for families.

Urban Mushing and Steelhead Fishin"

Urban Mushers and determined Fishers were the highlights of this ride along the Vedder river dyke trails.  Our day began at the Mckay Creek Trail head, part of the Trans Canada Trail.

Trans Canada Trail marker points the way

As we were unloading our bikes and getting ready to hit the trail, we were greeted in the parking lot by Kathy, an Urban Musher.  Intrigued we delayed our start to chat with her.  We learned all about this dry land, dog-powered sport called Urban Mushing.  Her dogs were more than happy to give us a demo and before we knew it they were harnessed up and ready to pull.  Kathy and her team were busy training for the upcoming Iron Paws event.  I must confess, Iron Paws brought a smile to my face.  As we bid farewell, it struck me yet again that there are countless ways for people and pets to get outside and play!

Urban Musher and her dog team

We planned our route for the day to take us along the dyke trails on the both the north and south side of the Vedder river and Vedder canal.  This loop was scenic, flat and fascinating!

View of the Vedder Canal

We departed the parking lot and as we pedaled we could hear distant rumblings.  At first we thought there must be blasting going on in the area but soon we discovered we were nearing the Abbotsford Fish and Game Club.  Judging by the noise, it was clearly a busy day on the range!

Dark Sky Park courtesy of the Fraser Valley Astronomers Society

After cycling past McDonald park, we passed by an Astronomy Viewing Area, and joked about the "mini Stonehenge" in the background.  We later discovered that McDonald Park is officially designated a dark sky park with the hopes of offering views of the Night sky, minus light pollution, for many years to come.  The Fraser Valley Astronomers Society host educational programs and events at the park throughout the year.

Vedder South Dyke Trail marker

The trail was very well marked, easy to follow and yes - FLAT!

Heavily treed area of the trail

Although the trail was on a dyke and flat, we were pleasantly surprised by the variety.  From open farmland to tight, twisting turns through forested areas, the trail was an interesting ride....and did I mention FLAT?

Snow capped mountains and cherry blossoms mark an early spring

River view

Scenic viewpoint along the dyke trail

It was quite a busy day on both the trail and on the river.  At every turn we stumbled upon another fisher in search of Steelhead trout. 

The Steelhead seem to be facing big odds 

Log Jams - Paddlers beware!

During a quick lunch break we had the pleasure of meeting Dave.  Clearly, Dave had spent many an hour on the river.  He shared stories of his big catches and of course the one that got away.  He did manage to catch a record breaking 41 pound Steelhead earlier this year and delighted us with pictures of the catch.  He recommended Steelybeads as the bait of choice and Fishbum as the apparel of choice. I am embarrassed to say that at times we had no idea what he was talking about, but he spoke with unbridled passion and enthusiasm so we listened intently!  Maybe, it is time for us to take some of Dave's advice and explore fishing by kayak?

Hmmm.....should kayak fishing be next?

Giggle of the day:

As we made our way along the south dyke trail we stumbled upon a retired gentleman out fishing for the day.  He was the picture of happiness....deep laugh lines marked his weather beaten face.  We chatted for a while about the trail and the river and then the conversation turned to fishing.  He was out looking for Steelhead and to quote, "the fish taste like $@%# this time of year, but my wife doesn't nag me or give me jobs when I am out fishing.  And best of all if I catch something, I don't have to pay for dinner!"


Maps and Route Tips:


The trail for the most part is hard packed gravel, best suited for touring or mountain bikes.

Great ride for families, especially along the Rotary Trail in Chilliwack which features a virtual tour.  (another example of technology in the outdoors)

Be sure to check out the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve

Parks and Trails in Chilliwack

Trans Canada Trail

Fishing the Vedder River