The Bridge to Yesterday

While wandering the hills and valleys of Vancouver, BC, I experienced the most amazing thing: A forest standing still in time on the other side of The Bridge to Yesterday (Otherwise known as Capilano Suspension Bridge Park).

Starting on the edge of a cliff, the bridge spans a 450ft wide, 300 ft deep gorge through which runs the Capilano River.

Though the day was cool and raining, adventure awaited! Crossing the bridge, there are incredible views of the Capilano River, surrounding mountains, and an ancient forest.

It is a strange feeling to be 230ft in the air with nothing between you and the wet, rocky bottom of the ravine below but a wooden walkway and a few steel cables.

As you step off of the bridge on the far side, you are greeted by the hush of the massive forest. For my friends back home in New England, imagine the largest trees you have ever seen and then triple them. These Hemlock and Douglass Fir trees are up to 300 FT tall and as old as 1,300 years. It would take 4 people to properly hug a tree in this forest (Believe me, I tried!).

Everything is so lush and green in this ancient rain forest. Deciduous leaves grow as big as dinner plates with massive ferns and broad leaf plants covering the forest floor. Moss grows thick on the trees deep under the canopy. If you are quiet enough, you just might find a tiny dinosaur living amongst the roots and ferns.

Climbing up into the trees, a stairway leads to the treetop walkways - suspension bridges between the trees that hang up to 100ft in the air and encircle the park. Even on a platform at 100ft above the forest floor, the trees still tower above you another 100+ ft. Standing on the platforms, looking up into the canopy, everything was calm and quiet. Even the drops of water falling from the trees high above seemed to be in no rush, dripping down in slow motion as if time had been slowed to a near crawl.

Once out of the treetops, the Raptor Ridge walk awaits. Following the outside of the park and the top edge of the ravine, you experience views of the river below with the trees growing out of the ravine still reaching over your head. The wildlife of the forest  can be heard through the chattering of squirrels and the birdsong high above though you rarely see them, so high are their perches. I was lucky enough to sneak up on this creature in the middle of the forest.

 

Adding to the music of the woods are the tumbling streams, running over rocks and fallen trees as they make their way to the ravine's edge only to cascade over into the river below. 

 Wandering through the trees, I felt like a child, filled with wonder at the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest. Eager to turn each new corner and take it all in.

I hope that one day you can experience this adventure for yourself. But until then, enjoy the rest of the photos.