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Published: September 12th 2013
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the Peak Chalet Grouse Mountain Today's activities are Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge.
After working out the public transport we caught the bus outside of hotel to Canada Place. We purchased our tickets for these activities from a booth here then got on the free bus to Grouse Mountain. Bus tickets were $2.75 and are good for 90 minutes.
We purchased the "ultimate experience" for the Grouse Mountain activities. $52.95 per adult and worth every cent of it.
Grouse Mountain is one of the North Shore Mountains of the Pacific Ranges in North Vancouver exceeding 1,200 m (4,000 feet) in altitude at its peak, is the site of an Alpine ski slopes in the winter season overlooking Vancouver with four chairlifts facilitating 26 runs.
We took the sky ride up the mountain then explored the views from the chalet and watched a documentary about the mountains 2 resident brown bears - Coola and Grinder, who were rescued when they were cubs and have lived on the mountain since 2002.
Then we went and saw the bears in their alpine sanctuary on the mountain, watched a lumberjack show, followed by a "birds in motion" show. Then took a ski lift to
the very peak of Grouse Mountain and went up to a viewing platform inside of a wind turbine "eye of the wind". Magnificent views for miles and miles. Up at the top of the eye of the wind you are standing 4176.5ft/1,273m above the city of Vancouver
You will spend at least half a day here if not more.
Next we walked to Capilano Suspension Bridge rather than wait for the bus. We didnt think it was far but it ended up taking us 45 minutes walking at a fast pace - mostly straight downhill. Exhausted when we got to Capilano especially since today was a record breaking September day of 30 degrees C!
Cost for the capilano suspension bridge is $34.95 per adult. I've read a lot of reviews saying that this place is over priced so we weren't sure what to expect. This place is well laid out and very environmentally friendly. We felt it was priced accordingly. You could spend half a day here but were only there a couple of hours - mainly because we were totally exhausted.
The suspension bridge is absolutely huge at 450ft/137m across and 230ft/70m above the Capilano
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one of the 2 bears residing on the mountain River. Once you get to the other side of the bridge there is a large rainforest where you can explore further trails - along the way you get to cross over further smaller suspension bridges at the "treetop adventure". Along the rainforest walks you get to learn about the value of rainforests to the environment and gain an understanding off this temperate West Coast rainforest system.
Cliffwalk is the parks newest attraction - a cantilevered walkway that hugs the granite cliffs high above the Capilano Canyon. What an amazing experience! The engineering that goes into this is mind blowing.
The park also features North America's largest private collection of First Nations totem poles, period decor and costumes, and exhibits highlighting the park's history.
Bused it home through the peak hour traffic. We were so tired - we napped in the bus and had some dinner at Maccas across the road from the hotel where we are staying.
Another big day planned for tomorrow.
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