Squamish – The Outdoor Recreation Capital of the World

Story by Perry Mack

My first pilgrimage to Squamish was a decade and a half ago to windsurf from the ‘Spit’ and hike the ‘Chief’. Kiteboarding has taken over the spit now and outdoor lovers currently enjoy a wealth of experiences including fishing, river rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, rock climbing and golfing. Squamish has certainly earned the title  ‘Outdoor Recreation Capital of the World’.

Start your Squamish experience with a day trip to Shannon Falls Provincial Park for a picnic and hike up the trail to the third highest falls in the province (behind Della Falls on Vancouver Island in Strathcona Provincial Park and Hunlen Falls near Bella Coola in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park).  Water cascades down a 335-metre spillway, which according to legend was created by Say-noth-ka, a mythical two-headed serpent that traveled up and down the mountainside.

If you make the trip to the falls first thing in the morning for a quick sight see, you access to the trail to ‘The Chief’ from the Shannon Falls parking lot.  No trip to the Squamish area would be complete without a hike up ‘The Chief’. I’ll give you fair warning though; this is no walk in the park. With a few ‘rope assist’ sections, this is a two to three hour hike to the top - but with a family it can certainly take longer. You should definitely consider it a full day hike with lots of time to rest at the top and take in the breath-taking views of Howe sound. For those who of us who aren’t’ in great shape (like an editor - coughing up a lung and bleeding from the ears) it is even more awe-inspiring to meet the other ‘sight-seers’ who have scaled the roughly 600 m cliff face to reach the top.

Pick a sunny day to make the hike and get the most from the views from the top.

For those of us with a more sedate nature, an Inukshuk stands tall in front of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, guiding us as Inukshuks have done for thousands of years.  As you may have gathered reading about the creation of the Shannon Falls, the Squamish area’s roots are steeped in aboriginal culture. Immerse yourself at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre where works of local artists include everything from masks and moccasins to pottery, prints and paintings.  Explore the exhibits and if you time it right you can participate in one of the many events and workshops hosted at the centre.

It could be argued the construction of the railway is responsible for much of what British Columbia is today. To understand the railroad is to understand British Columbia and British Columbians. Throughout the province you can visit rail museums and Squamish is no exception. Take yourself back in time to the turn of the century at the Westcoast Railway Heritage Park on Government Road in Squamish. Step into railway cars, some over 100 years old, and stand in the shoes of people who lived and breathed, traveled and worked to create this province.

Just down the road you’ll discover the Brackendale Art Gallery. If you’re not an art lover, don’t stop reading here! In addition to workshops, concerts, theatre and gallery exhibits the Brackendale art gallery is the “The World Eagle Capital’.  Each January, eagle counters meet at the gallery and in conjunction with the B.C. Wildlife Service, the Squamish Estuary Conservation Society, and the Brackendale Art Gallery Society; disperse to 17 assigned areas to count eagles. On January 9th, 1994 they counted a world record 3,769 eagles.

The eagles come for a salmon feast, literally thousands of them. To see two dozen in one tree is not uncommon. The season runs from mid-November to mid-February but prime season is December and January. After a day of watching the eagles, outdoor lovers can return to the gallery to warm up around the fire, enjoy some food, an ‘adult’ beverage and soak up some art and culture in the gallery. To see more on the gallery including a calendar of events visit www.brackendaleartgallery.com.

Often the word ‘museum’ conjures up images of quiet, stodgy rooms that smell old and stale, the past is dead after all – this kind of experience may prevent you from ever entering a ‘museum’ again. Which is why the Brittania Mine Museum is a must for anyone who uses the word ‘dead’ to describe his or her last museum experience. The Brittania Mines Museum is an award winning national historic site with a trip advisor rating of 4.5 stars. Take an underground train ride through one of the original tunnels while a guide conjures images of a miners life during the mines 70 year history - of one of the largest copper deposits ever discovered at the turn of the century. In the interactive displays, the whole family will have a blast igniting their own dynamite ‘explosion’ and afterwards who can pass up an opportunity to pan for gold!

Where to Stay

Eagle Vista RV Resort & Campground

The resort offers large, level, landscaped full service pull-through lots with free Wi-Fi next to the Mamquam River. If you’re vacationing with non-RVers, Eagle Vista RV offers Yurts (a circular cottage), which sleeps six and includes TV and Internet.

For retails visit www.eaglevistarv.com or call (877) 898-3343.

Squamish Valley Campground and RV site

For a more rustic experience the park offers seasonal camping on 250 acres of unserviced sites along the Squamish River with a sandy beach. Check out www.campsquamish.com or give them a call at (604) 898-9310