| A stroll though colorful tree shaded gardens takes | | | | unique encounter with the heart of the forest. |
| you to the canyon edge. You step onto swaying | | | | The original Capilano Suspension Bridge was built |
| planks and there you are, 230 feet above the | | | | by George Grant Mackay in 1889 to access prime |
| floor of Capilano Canyon. Your pulse quickens. | | | | forest lands that he purchased and protected |
| Your hand finds the cool steel cable and you | | | | from logging. The bridge was originally suspended |
| breathe in the cedar scented rainforest air. Each | | | | on hemp rope. Todays bridge uses 2 foot steel |
| step creates a gentle wave on the bridge surface. | | | | cables capable of supporting 2 fully loaded 747 |
| You start across the 450 foot span. Somewhere, | | | | airplanes. |
| around the midpoint, you will be compelled to | | | | Millions of people have visited the bridge since it |
| pause and marvel at the view. Clear water rushes | | | | opened. And you can too if you pay the almost |
| far below, streams cascade down the canyon | | | | $30 admission charge. |
| walls, gravity defying trees cling to vertical rosk. | | | | The bridge is on Capilano Road, which is also the |
| You climb the gently sloping bridge to its far side | | | | road you take to get to Grouse Mountain. So it is |
| and step into a forest of cedar, Douglas fir and | | | | possible to do both in one day. The bridge is |
| hemlock. There are giants here. Trees that began | | | | about 5-10 minutes away from the Grouse |
| their climb toward the sky before Europeans set | | | | Mountain Tram which takes you to the top of the |
| foot on North American shores. | | | | mountain. |
| Following the winding paths and elevated timber | | | | If you take any tour of Vancouver from any of |
| from boardwalks to the Treetops Adventure. It | | | | the tour companies, it will almost always include a |
| will take you high above the forest floor for a | | | | stop at the Capilano Suspension Bridge. If you go |
| squirrel-eye view of a thriving coastal rainforest. | | | | on your own, be ready to see plenty of tour |
| This 650 foot long rainforest canopy walk is made | | | | buses and tourists while you are there. |
| up of a series of cable bridges suspended | | | | Go on a slow day and you can have the bridge |
| between platforms that reach as high as 12 | | | | almost to yourself. If you are afraid of heights |
| stories and take you from the forest floor to the | | | | you might not want to look down. The bridge |
| upper branches and from deep in the forest to | | | | does sway a little as you cross. |
| the edge of the canyon and back again. It is a | | | | |