June 26 – Sea to Sky Gondola and Shannon Falls

It was a mostly sunny day in an otherwise lousy weather week so we decided to pay the exorbitant price and go up the Sea to Sky Gondola for its views of Howe Sound and the Squamish Valley.

Up we go.

Once at the top we checked out the main viewing deck. I walked across the suspension bridge. Then it was off to the Panorama Trail and its viewing platform over the Stawamus Chief and Squamish Valley. Finally we took the Highline Trail, which seems to be so new that it was on the printed brochure that we got but was not on the online version.

Lots of family photos and selfies.

Howe Sound.

The wide view.

And the photosphere.

I headed across the suspension bridge. It was very bouncy so it was a no go for Jennie.

The photosphere.

From the viewpoint on the other side.

Then off to the 1.6 km long Panorama Trail. It was all about the viewing platform at the end.

The photosphere.

The valley with the city of Squamish.

Looking down on the three peaks of the Stawamus Chief monolith. It is much more impressive from the other side.

You can hike to each peak but most people only go to the first, lowest one.

We had our lunch here and people watched more selfies.

Jennie liked all the shades of green as the river entered the sound.

On the way to the next trail we saw these carved roots.

Next up was the 1.4 km Highline Trail loop. You could tell it was new because it was much rougher. The sign said that there were “Some steep scrambles”. I think it was almost all steep.

You first climb up along side this huge rocky outcrop. We eventually came down its other side.

Then we came to a huge open cliff for some more great views.

Jennie is silhouetted between the two trees, top right below.

The photosphere.

Onward passed a small cave.

And one more photosphere.

There were lots of interesting rocky features.

Then back down to the other side of that starting rock.

I thought that this was a great little trail. I think Jennie enjoyed the scenery but not the steepness.

I went back out the Panorama Trail to get a shot up to the rocky outcrop (center below) that had been the HIghline Trail destination.

We headed back to the main deck for a rest and to people watch.

Since Shannon Falls is right next door we decided to stop in for a quick look.

On the way down we got a side view of the Stawamus Chief.

Shannon Falls is huge and with all the rain was really roaring. The pictures don’t do it justice because you couldn’t get very close.

The first easy viewpoint.

Then another viewpoint that required you to climb up 99 steps. It got you a bit closer.

Then back down to the car and home for, I think, our well deserved ice cream.