Vancouver from Grouse Mountain
Last Update: June 2010: broken links repaired but no guarantees...!
Vancouver is a good central point for a range of travel, sightseeing and just hanging out with nature. I’ve divided the options into local, mid-range, and big trips, with the divisions determined more or less by the amount of planning/time/money involved (none, some, lots).
"Local" and "Mid-range" trips are easily doable, in the sense that most visitors, depending on your inclination/preference, can take these in: you don't have to be a modern day Shackleton to acomplish them. Some of the big trips are for a particular palate (or wallet) but are popular destinations...if that's what you're looking for.
| Sightseeing | Hiking | |
|---|---|---|
| Local | Within Vancouver | Local mountains or less than half day trips |
| Mid Range | Day or weekend_trips | Long day or perhaps overnight trips; river rafting |
| Big stuff | 4-5 day trips | ...+kayaking, horseback riding |
I’ve given a brief rundown below under these same headings, to give you samples of what is available and help you begin research.
Won’t spend too much time on this as you’ll be able to pick and choose while you’re here (doesn’t need any planning). However the following websites may be of interest.
Vancouver from Grouse Mountain
WhiskyJack on Howe Sound
Snowshoeing on Hollyburn (Vancouver behind/below)
Blackcomb Ski Mountain provides a chairlift to the top and some great alpine hiking without too much effort
Lynda on Blackcomb
Golden Ears--yet another hike!
There are dozens of hikes around Whistler (some mentioned above) and it's worth considering a couple of nights stay at Whistler Village just to take in the sights and reduce the day's driving.
Lunch on Panorama Ridge
For the very energetic both are accessible as day hikes but here are the numbers so you can guage for yourself. The hike up to the lake/campground is about 9Km (one way), with a vertical of about 800m. The next day’s hike (now without the 35lb pack) up to Panorama Ridge or to the top of Black Tusk is about the same again. However, we have to come back down, pack our tents, and trek another 9Km down to the car (with the 30lb pack) on the same day. All I’m saying is that if you want to do Panorama Ridge or the Tusk, we’ll need to be in shape! (Or if we’re all in really good shape, it is possible to do the 35Km hike, with 1600m vertical all in one day, without backpacks!)
I’ve done Enderby Cliffs (see the link above) and know of a couple of others in this area. It’s a matter of driving up in the afternoon of day 1 and staying overnight in a motel; hiking next day and then driving back…unless you’re up there already doing some sightseeing of course. I would contact my friend Suzi Sims, a travel writer living in the area, to get more info; we may be able to join up with the Vernon Hiking Club for a weekend trip.
Drive(bus?) to the Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island, and spend a couple of nights camping on the beach, next to a true northern rainforest, and lulled to sleep by the sounds of Pacific surf only 20, 10, er 1 … (oops! careful where you place that tent) meters away from your sleeping bag. Not much in the way of exercise but if you like getting away from it all and being immersed in nature (careful with that tent!) this is a great getaway.
Thrill level inversely proportional to the percentage of people who have survived your chosen trip but there’s plenty to choose from. The Fraser Canyon is perhaps the wildest ride but Whistler also provides good rafting. The 7 day expeditions up north are a rather different deal. Up there you cruise through spectacular scenery all day, watch wildlife (grizzlies, moose) at a safe distance, and have your evening meals cooked by chefs. You'll pay a little more: $3,000-$6,000 but well worth it.
An absolute must of a trip. It includes visits to Banff (interesting) and Jasper (less so), Lake Louise (postcard view), as well as probable sightings of bear, elk, and perhaps even moose and caribou. Several ways to do it. Packages:
The tours obviously take you to the prime sites of interest, but you should make sure you see:
To our embarrassment, we have to rely on reports from others. Some UK friends did a package tour and told us of all kinds of interesting places that we had not even heard of, so there's lots to see out there. Remember that BC is about 6 times the size of England in land area!
You can do this as fly/Cruise (fly up to Anchorage and take a cruise ship back, or vice versa). If you have more time, the drive to Alaska, up through the Yukon is filled with interest. "Alaska cruise" to generate a good list. Consider cruise/drive options or taking an RV, where you can do some sightseeing around Anchorage (Denali National Park for example).
Whoa! We’re talking some big trips here. I haven’t included fishing options, which means being flown to a remote lake by floatplane, and staying at a luxury lodge…
77Km and 6-7 day hike with all your gear (few signs of civilization along the whole route, but 9,000 hikers do this trail every year). Check it out at:
About two and half hour drive from Vancouver. You can stay at the lodge or backpack into any one of the several wilderness camps around the area. Again, you’ll need a car for this trip in the summer, but Sigge’s Ski Shop runs a great bus service on Sundays during the winter.
http://www.manningparkresort.com/
This picture of Cathedral Lake from the lodge is almost identical to one I took...but lost mine so borrowed this one!
About a five hour drive from Vancouver (not sure how else you’d get there) and then a 4WD vehicle will meet you and take you the 7km lake...for a separate fee, or you can hike in. Stay at the lodge or camp in the campground. Fabulous hiking, and as anywhere, views are best if the weather is good. However, a good meal and a sauna at the end of the day can help offset that if you stay at the lodge. The web site will tell you more.
Cathedral Lakes LodgeDunno, never been there but people say it’s good! Couple of campers were murdered there about twenty years ago...oops! you didn't want to know that. Don’t worry, they caught the guy.
Govt Site