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Hiking the Stawamus Chief in Squamish. Photo Credit Tourism Squamish
Spring is a great time to go hiking. The waterfalls are pumping and the rain turns all the plants extra green. But with snow hanging around in the mountains, it can be tough to figure out where to go for a hike. Here are our picks for the 10 best Vancouver-area spring hikes. They are all closer to sea level so they are be snow-free in the spring.
Hiking the Stawamus Chief in Squamish. Photo Credit Tourism Squamish
Tucked between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains, Vancouver is spoiled for spectacular scenery. Take a hike to enjoy some of the best views. You can choose from city views, ocean views or mountain views. And the trails range from easy to challenging.
700m Massive Granite Cliffs Photo: Rob Weiss
The Stawamus Chief is an iconic landmark. It dominates the Squamish skyline and attracts tourists, hikers and climbers from around the world. This magnificent granite wall beckons all to approach and climb her. Outdoor enthusiasts regularly flock to the area to test their fitness levels and savour the magnificent views from each of the three peaks. On a clear day, the summit offers panoramic glimpses of Howe Sound, the Squamish town site and adjacent coastal mountains.
Photo courtesy of Sea to Sky Gondola
The little town of Squamish, about an hour’s drive north of Vancouver, is perhaps best known as a pit stop on the way to the slopes and trails of Whistler. But that all may change in just a few months.
The new Sea to Sky Gondola is officially scheduled to open in mid May 2014, putting Squamish firmly on the tourist map. The enormous gondola, situated on a strip of land between the famous Stawamus Chief Provincial Park and Shannon Falls, will carry visitors from sea level to a height of 885 meters – climbing into high alpine country in a quick 10-minute ride.
Up top, there’s a lot more than just beautiful vistas to enjoy. Finishing touches are being put on an entire adventure facility high in the Coast Mountains. Continue reading:
New Sea to Sky Gondola Opening Outside Vancouver
Photo sourced from seatoskygondola.com
Ready for a faster way up the Chief?
Construction is officially underway on a brand new gondola that will carry passengers from the Vancouver suburb of Squamish to a summit 850 metres above scenic Howe Sound.
The Sea to Sky Gondola will take passengers on an eight-minute ride from sea level to a strip of alpine land between Shannon Falls and the famous Stawamus Chief, a 700-metre granite dome popular among rock climbers and hikers.
Work began earlier this winter on the $22 million initiative, which will be completed by the summer of 2014 and serve an estimated 200,000 riders in its first year of operation. The special Swiss-made gondola cars hold eight passengers each. Continue reading:
$22-million Squamish Sea to Sky Gondola Set to Open outside Vancouver
