Category: North Vancouver
Panoramic View : Cleveland Reservoir
Panoramic View (Post#14) : Cleveland Reservoir
Cleveland Reservoir or Cleveland Dam is also known as Capilano Reservoir or Capilano Lake which located in North Vancouver at British Columbia Province in Canada. The name used after late Ernest Cleveland, the first Chief Commissioner of Greater Vancouver Water District. The reservoir used to store drinking water of Lower Mainland as per Wikipedia. Photo captured last June 2008.
This post has been updated to add the link of and to participate in the following:
Skywatch Friday – April 29, 2016
Scenic Weekends – April 29, 2016
In Heaven – April 30, 2016
Through My Lens – May 02, 2016
Our World Tuesday – May 03, 2016
Travel Tuesday – May 03, 2016
Outdoor Wednesday – May 04, 2016
Water World Wednesday – May 04, 2016
Watery Wednesday – May 04, 2016
Wednesday Around The World – May 04, 2016
View At My Window : Lions Gate Bridge
View At My Window (Post#4) : Lions Gate Bridge
The photo above is Lions Gate Bridge located in Greater Vancouver. The bridge connects Vancouver (South) to West Vancouver and North Vancouver. Under the bridge is Burrard Inlet and Vancouver Harbour. I captured this photo during my Whistler Tour last June 2008 in British Columbia, Canada while inside Whistler Mountaineer train.
You can also look at my post for my Whistler Tour stories:
Whistler – Warm Haven in Cold Paradise
Squamish – With The Chief, Canyon and Tantalus
Brackendale Forest and Shannon Falls
Metropolitan Vancouver From Cypress Mountain
British Columbia It Is Your Turn
The chance that I got to be able to visit some parts of British Columbia was not an ordinary chance. When I got a single entry visa to Canada, I knew that it was a one-time chance to see this huge country at North America. After grabbing all my opportunity to see Alberta, the province of Edmonton where I was assigned for few weeks of work and training, I tried my best to get the opportunity to see British Columbia as well.
I remembered that it was less than two weeks before I left Canada to go back to my country, I requested my boss if I can fly earlier to Vancouver since it was the same route when I fly back on the actual date of my return in Philippines. I told my boss, that my route will be Edmonton to Vancouver and then Vancouver to Manila. At first he never agreed because he thought at first that my route was Edmonton to Toronto and Toronto to Manila. After correcting his thoughts about my flight, he told me that he will think about it.
After few hours passed, my boss called me back and told me that he was going to make my travel a business official, because the team that I worked with has collaboration with the team in Vancouver, my visit becomes semi-business trip, because there were few days left and the only thing that I can do in Vancouver was to meet the team.
My last day in Edmonton was Thursday (June 12, 2008) and that was the same day my colleague celebrated the 10th year anniversary in the company and somewhat my farewell to the team as well.
When I came to Vancouver, I tried to plan ahead the five days that I spent in British Columbia.
The following places that I had been with were:
1. White Rock and Richmond
2. Whistler, Whistler Village and Blackcomb Mountain
3. Squamish – Stawamus Chief, Squamish Town, Cheakamus Canyon, Tantalus Mountain Ranges
4. Brackendale and Shannon Falls
5. Greater Vancouver – Cypress Mountain
6. Greater Vancouver – Stanley Park
7. Greater Vancouver – Grouse Mountain
8. Greater Vancouver – Cleveland Dam
9. Greater Vancouver – Capilano Fish Hatchery
10. Greater Vancouver – Capilano Suspension Bridge
11. Greater Vancouver – Burrard Inlet / Vancouver Harbour
12. Greater Vancouver – Vancouver Downtown
13. Greater Vancouver – Vancouver Airport
14. Vancouver Island – Victoria – Butchart Garden
15. Vancouver Island – Victoria – Strait of Juan De Fuca
16. Vancouver Island – Victoria – Race Rocks Light House
17. Vancouver Island – Victoria – Royal BC Museum
18. Vancouver Island – Victoria
19. Greater Vancouver, British Columbia’s Islands, and Vancouver Island
Greater Vancouver, British Columbia’s Islands, Vancouver Island and Float Plane
Even I was tired from full and jam pack places that I had seen during my Whistler tour, I was still excited for another day tour just to see more of British Columbia. As I checked and compared tours available for Vancouver Island in the end I booked myself for Victoria and The Butchart Gardens which includes Whale Watching and Float Plane. The tour might be quite pricey compared with other Victoria tour but I wanted to experienced a lot and see a lot in one day as I am not sure if I will be given another chance to come back in Canada in the future.
From my hotel in Kingsway in Burnaby, I traveled to downtown of Vancouver by taking bus #19 from the nearest station in the hotel which is WB Kingsway FS Melbourne St and went off at EB W Pender St At Burrard St. From the bus station I walked towards Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre until I reached the station of the float plane that will bring me to Victoria in Vancouver Island and I flew to the island via Westcoast Air. I decided that time to choose the float plane instead of regular ferry that goes back and forth from Vancouver to Victoria so I can see the islands from the top on the way and to save time so I can spend the morning time in whale watching.
At Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre
It was the first time that I took a float plane. From the station I met the other tourist, one were senior couple and one are middle age couple, then we introduced ourselves to each other but honestly I can’t remember their names. Traveling in a seaplane or floatplane was a challenge because I thought before we travel it will be the same with regular commercial plane that was silent but to my surprise it was not. The propeller sound from the front of the floatplane was quite loud and the plane was just small where all sounds around the plane can be heard inside. At first I was not comfortable but when we were at the top and I was able to see the Greater Vancouver, lots of islands, Vancouver Island and surrounding body of water which is Georgia Strait I felt excited and relieved . I just thought that even the sound was not so nice, I did enjoy the sceneries that I was able to view from the float plane.
Greater Vancouver Sceneries
British Columbia’s Islands and Vancouver Island
Cleveland Dam
During my last tour, the third itinerary I had in North Vancouver was Cleveland Dam. As I walk out the bus and walking approaching the dam, the surrounding areas were really lovely. The natures that encompassing the Capilano Lake or Capilano Reservoir were magnificent that made me really adore it. I felt how natural the place was and felt to believed the water flowing in the dam were indeed fresh.
Surrounding area of Cleveland Dam
After visiting the place, I learned that the river I saw in Capilano Suspension Bridge and Capilano Fish Hatchery were coming from Capilano Lake which being hold by the dam. The water in the lake was not still or stagnant water, I learned that a lot of rivers and streams are flowing down into the lake coming from surrounding mountains. The lake serves as freshwater to the lower area of Great Vancouver.
Capilano Lake or Capilano Reservoir and surround mountains
I just realized as well that the Capilano Lake was the lake that I saw while I was in Grouse Mountain Skyrides. The Cleveland Dam serve as to hold the water in the reservoir and used to control the water spill down to the Capilano River.
Capilano Fish Hatchery
It was my last day in Vancouver or let say my last day in Canada, though it was not a full day tour as I still went to office in the morning to say goodbyes to the Vancouver team, I was still able to arrange my tour in the afternoon. I booked a North Shore Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain Tour. The half day tour includes 4 places such as Capilano Fish Hatchery, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Cleveland Dam and Grouse Mountain.
The first stop was Capilano Fish Hatchery. The location of the hatchery is just beside the Capilano River in Capilano River Regional Park. The river was the same river that I saw when we went to Capilano Suspension Bridge. When we arrived at the center, there was a personnel approached us and explained the process of growing the fish in the hatchery and that includes telling us that if the right time, they release the fishes into the river. But at the time we visited the place, there was no schedule of fish release in the river.
After spending time inside the center, I walked around the area of the hatchery and I was fascinated in the surrounding areas as I felt the nature is within the hatchery. And the Capilano River was really adorable. I fell in love with the river.
Grouse Mountain – One of the Peaks in Greater Vancouver
I knew that Canada has a lot of wonderful mountains to offer that you can’t even count. I learned that since I went to Banff in Alberta province. While traveling in Greater Vancouver area, there were lots of places to visit that involves mountains as well and Grouse Mountain was just one of them.
Grouse Mountain is located at North Shore in North Vancouver, strategically located at the heart of Greater Vancouver. I learned that this mountain is popular for skiing during winter season and popular for tourist in any season. The great thing about this mountain is the overlooking of Greater Vancouver while at the top of it. It has skyrides where people enjoyed the surrounding scenic views without doing the difficult option of trekking the mountain.
The mountain was the last of the four places that we visited in North Vancouver as part of my more than half day tour, before my late night flight that day back to Manila. After the bus tour dropped us at Skyrides station, I hopped on in the Red Skyrides. During my rides to the top, I had a chance to see North Vancouver area. Like what I felt when I was in Whistler when riding gondola I got excited as I saw Capilano Lake, some part of Cypress Mountain and North Vancouver.
After reaching the top of the mountain, I felt cold as I saw the surrounding with snow and iced which was a sign of winter season just over recently. Then I went where the grizzly bear can be seen, all people and myself had difficulty to see them clearly because they just keep hiding and hibernating in some branch of trees and logs in their cage, but I still I had a chance to see them though it’s just a quick one.
I spent sometime walking around the area and then I went back as per the timing we had in the mountain. I enjoyed my short trip in Grouse Mountain as another great places added to my discoveries. I rode the skyrides again to go back to my bus tour.
Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park
I just like to create a simple blog about Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park which located in North Vancouver, at the province of British Columbia in Canada. Why I admired this park? I admired this park because I like the look and feel of a forest with a sense of tourist friendly. Why? Basic reasons: abundant tall trees, different kind of plants and of course the cold green color of the forest. And why I said it is tourist friendly? Because it has a friendly trails to trek which I knew built for the tourist.
Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park Collage
Entrance
Friendly TrailWhile inside the park I found Totems and the area is called as “Spirit Stage”. Based on Canada history, Totems are important to the First Nation people in Canada.
Totems at Spirit Stage
Next to Spirit Stage is the popular suspension bridge (although this is not the original suspension bridge built before). It was renovated for the safety of the travelers like me. My favorite part , jumping while crossing the suspension bridge, the feelings were mixed like jittery, breathless yet exciting. Before I forget to mention, the river under the bridge is the Capilano River.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Capilano River
During my visit I discovered that there are plenty of small and narrow suspension bridges inside the forest, these bridges are connected to one another using trees, they called it “Treetops Adventure”. I enjoyed walking in the Cliffhanger Boardwalk and I liked looking at the flowing river – the view was extraordinary. I also found some small swamps inside the park, these swamps made me remember that I am inside the forest. Not to mention also, I did not miss the Canyon Lookout to glanced the Capilano River in a different angle. Visiting this place was really worth for me since I love forest.
Treetops Adventure
Cliffhanger Boardwalk
Capilano River from Cliffhanger Boardwalk
swamp inside the forestI like buying souvenir stuff that was why I enjoyed the shopping stores located inside the park and I bought post cards. There are also coffee shops and restaurants inside the park, they kept myself glutted.
I highly recommend to visit the park to anyone who loves nature.
Notes:
1. Plan to visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park ? Check more details here.
Address :
3735 Capilano Road
North Vancouver, BC
Canada V7R 4J1Tours : There are lots of tours available that offers the visit in the park and it can be combination with other tourist spot too.
Not on tours? : The park offers free shuttle bus coming from Vancouver Downtown. For more details, please check here.
2. Directions
Using Bus
From Downtown, take bus #246 and get off at Stop#54391 – NORTHBOUND (NB) CAPILANO RD AT WOODS DR. Then take, bus#236 and get off at Stop#54304 – NORTHBOUND (NB) CAPILANO RD AT 3600 BLOCK.
Using Seabus
Take the Seabus from Waterfront Station, to Lonsdale Quay Station. Then take, bus#236 and get off at Stop#54304 – NORTHBOUND (NB) CAPILANO RD AT 3600 BLOCK.
For more details visit, Translink.
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