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Capilano Entrance Sign.
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Directional Sign.
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Story Centre.
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Eia' Palano Long House.
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Totem Poles.
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Trading Post [Gift Shop].
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Capilano Suspension Bridge.
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Treetops Adventure.
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Cliffwalk.
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View of Capilano River from Suspension Bridge.
By Dennis Begin
One of the major tourist attractions in Vancouver is the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. The name Capilano is derived from Kia'palano, who was Chief of the ‘people of the Kiap' on the North Shore. In 1881, George Grant MacKay bought the land surrounding the canyon and in the following year, opened his suspension bridge to the general public, Vancouver's first tourist attraction. The original bridge was made of cedar and hemp rope, very different than today's two-inch steel cables that are anchored in cement. Over the years, each new owner made improvements to the bridge and other facilities. The present owner is Nancy Stibbard, the CEO of the Capilano Group, who owns tourist attractions from Banff to Stanley Park. The company's vision statement is "…to create an experience that people are amazed by."
Time to Explore
On entering the park, pick up a map and passport. Explore on your own or sign up for a guided tour through the West Coast Rainforest. The guides have a good knowledge of local history and the rainforest ecosystem. The rainforest tour is great for kids 6 to 12, as is Nature's Edge on the edge of the rainforest.
It has been a few decades since I first visited Capilano and there have been significant changes. The Story Centre caught my attention first. There are photomurals, antiques, artifacts, posters, and flipbooks, illustrating the history of the suspension bridge and early Vancouver.
The totem poles came next, representing the Salish, Haida, Tsimshian, and Tlingit First Nations. This is the world's largest private collection of totem poles. Totem poles were erected for numerous ceremonial reasons like the potlatch. The animals on the poles can be mythological or represent the family history. Along with the totem poles, there is an exhibit that represents a Long House, the traditional home of the Kiap people.
The historic suspension bridge, however, remains the major attraction. The span is 137 m (450 ft) across the canyon with a 70 m (230 ft) drop to the Capilano River. For the record, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world is the Charles Kuonen Bridge in Switzerland, at 494 m (1,621 ft). The bridge does sway a little, often referred to as a "reassuring wobble." No reason to feel unsafe as the steel cables can support 1,300 people crossing at the same time.
Additional Attractions
Treetops Adventure – In 2004, this engineering marvel was added to the park, giving you the feeling of flying around the top of trees. There are seven narrow footbridges that are suspended between the top of old growth Douglas Fir trees. The walkways are held in place with an innovated tree collar system, having no nails or bolts for support. You are 30 m (98 ft) above the forest floor, with the platforms reaching the height of a ten story condo. Trees at this height take on a different perspective.
Cliffwalk – This newest attraction was built in 2011 and resembles the Skywalk over the Grand Canyon, Arizona. The suspended walkway juts out from a granite cliff face and is held in place with steel cables embedded in the rock. There are two platforms along the 213 m (700 ft) walkway made only of glass - very thick glass! No need to worry as the walkway can handle up to 100,000 pounds and is very stable.
Safety is taken very seriously with numerous signs warning of possible dangers and rules to follow. If you are a parent, remember to check the rules about children using the bridges. If mobility issues are a problem, this activity may not be for you, because the bridges are very narrow.
If you successfully complete six stamped areas, especially the major bridges, you will receive an "I Made It Certificate." As for my certificate, it states, I have the "right to this act of daring bravado."
Capilano Salmon Hatchery – This salmon hatchery is located between the suspension bridge and the Cleveland Dam. The hatchery assists coho, chinook and steelhead salmon over the rapids with fishways (ladders). You can watch the salmon move up the ladders from a glass window fish tank. Continue hiking upstream to the Cleveland Dam, Vancouver's water supply.
Hiking – The North Shore of North and West Vancouver is a hiker's paradise, with 42 hiking trails throughout the Cypress, Grouse and Seymour Mountains. Capilano Park has two trails. The Capilano Canyon Trail is 2.6 km (1.6 m), winding up the canyon, past the Salmon Hatchery and onto the Cleveland Dam. The second hiking trail starts/ends at the Cleveland Dam and starts/ends at Ambleside Beach near Lions Gate Bridge. The hike is is 7.5 km (4.6 m).
Amenities - In 2012, Capilano Suspension Bridge received the Canadian Tourism Business of the Year Award and the title of, ‘The World's Greatest Suspension Bridge.' Some of the reasons for this award are 1. A free Shuttle Service from Canada Place or selected downtown Vancouver hotels. 2. Tickets can be purchased online to speed up getting in. 3. Once on site, there are three restaurants and a Coffee House to select from. 4. The Trading Post has a first class Gift Shop with souvenirs, First Nations art, gifts, clothing, and great fudge. 5. The park is pet-friendly. 6. If you are a BC resident, your admission fee is really a Season Pass, so please return. 7. Canyon Lights in December is when one million lights are turned on to celebrate Christmas.
Plan on spending two to three hours on site. The park averages 800,000 visitors yearly and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Capilano is about nature, culture, and history with their slogan being ‘Naturally Thrilling.'
Capilano is a quintessential B.C. experience.