The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
at Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver
for their second time here.
May 20, 2009
view of the river from the bridge
The original Capilano Suspension Bridge was built by George Grant Mackay in 1889 to access prime forest lands that he purchased and protected from logging. The bridge was originally suspended on hemp rope. Today's bridge uses 2-inch steel cables capable of supporting two fully loaded 747's.
entry sign - Capilano Suspension Bridge
welcome window
sign - Capilano Suspension bridge established 1889
sign - Kiapalano
Karen Duquette in the totem pole area
Karen Duquette in the totem pole area
The bridge is 450 feet long and 230 feet above the floor of Capilano Canyon. Each step on the bridge creates a gentle wave on the bridge surface and it is fun to watch everyone walking crooked.
Lee Duquette on the bridge
Lee Duquette on the bridge
Karen Duquette on the bridge
Karen Duquette on the bridge
Lee Duquette on the shaky bridge
Lee Duquette looking down from the bridge
Below: The two RV Gypsies took time to pause on the bridge and marveled at the view, 230 feet below, as clear water rushed far below and streams cascaded down the canyon walls.
view of the river from the bridge
view of the river from the bridge
view of the river from the bridge
view of the river from the bridge
view of the river from the bridge
Treetops Adventure
After walking the 450 foot long Capilano Suspension Bridge, the two RV Gypsies followed a winding path to the elevated timber frame boardwalks high above the forest floor and they got a birds-eye view of a thriving coastal rainforest.

Above: Stairs curving around and up to another shorter suspension bridge.
bridge
ABOVE: Lee Duquette climbed the stairs first while Karen Duquette stayed on the trail to photograph Lee on the first bridge in Treetop Adventure. Then Karen climbed the stairs to join Lee and continue on to the other bridges.
BELOW: In all, the rainforest canopy walk is 650 feet long and made up of a series of cable bridges suspended between platforms that reach as high as 12 stories and go from the forest floor to the upper branches, and deep into the forest to the edge of the canyon and back again. Below: Lee on to the second bridge at Treetops Adventure.
the second bridge at Treetops Adventure
Lee Duquette on the second bridge
view of the bridge and round lookout
Below: looking down
to the original pathway
Below: looking out and around
the corner to the next bridge
looking down to the original pathway
looking out and around the corner to the next bridge
a lookout
Lee Duquette approaching a lookout
Lee on one of the lower bridges
Karen Duquette on one of the lower bridges
Each Treetops Adventure bridge is supported on 1-inch cables capable of holding 100,000 pounds.
looking up at one of the supporting trees
another lookout
another lookout
nurse log info
a nrse log
a sign about trees
Cliffhanger Walk is a leisurely stroll among the trees and native plants to get another perspective of the forest and canyon
sign - Cliff Hanger area
a low walkway
Below: The Capilano Suspension Bridge as seen from the Cliffhanger area.
view of the Capilano Bridge from Cliff Hanger area
Karen Duquette and a view of the Capilano Bridge from Cliff Hanger area
Karen Duquette and a view of the Capilano Bridge from Cliff Hanger area
Lee and Karen Duquette and a view of the Capilano Bridge from Cliff Hanger area
a view of the Capilano Bridge from Cliff Hanger area
a view of the Capilano Bridge from Cliff Hanger area
a view of the Capilano Bridge from Cliff Hanger area
Karen Duquette and a view of the Capilano Bridge from Cliff Hanger area
a view of the Capilano Bridge from Cliff Hanger area
sign about tree workouts
Lee Duquette and a view of the Capilano Bridge from Cliff Hanger area
Karen Duquette and a view of the Capilano Bridge from Cliff Hanger area
Karen Duquette and a view of the Capilano Bridge from Cliff Hanger area

views of the river from various locations
view of the river from various locations
views of the river from various locations
views of the river from various locations
Below: The trail circled back under the main Capilano Suspension Bridge and provided Karen Duquette with photo opportunities from a different angle.
under the Capilano Suspension bridge
the Capilano Suspension Bridge
Below: Looking straight down
looking straight down
ducks
ducks
3 sister ponds sign
Karen Duquette
Karen Duquette
sign - slug crossing
slug crossing area
sign - Grandma Capilano tree
Grandma Capilano tree
bird in a tree
bird in a tree
Below: The entrance to the gift shop
entrance to the gift shop
A cloud covered Grouse Mountain as viewed from the Capilano Bridge. The two RV Gypsies will go there next and hope the view clears. Use the link below for photos of Grouse Mountain.
a cloud covered Grouse Mountain as viewed from the Capilano Bridge
a cloud covered Grouse Mountain as viewed from the Capilano Bridge

look below
There are two navigational choices below.

go back to the British Columbia menu Karen and Lee Duquette also visited the Capilano Suspension Bridge in May 2004 while on a cruise. The photos are a bit different from these, and adds some history as well. So if you enjoyed this page, you really should check the 2004 experience. There is a link at the bottom of that page back here.

OR

please continue on to travel adventures of the two RV Gypsies Visit sites in the order they happened, continue on to Grouse Mountain, a refuge for endangered wildlife, fabulous views of Vancouver, chainsaw sculptures and more.