I got to walk across the Lions Gate Bridge yesterday – it was quite an adventure.  Honestly, I don’t think it was something that I had ever considered doing before but my parents had asked me to drop of their vehicle for servicing in North Vancouver and when I looked at a map to determine how best to get home I figured I’d give it a go.  I’ve taken SeaBus many times so that that route wasn’t a very exciting idea.  The Lions Gate Bridge is beautiful and though I have driven across the bridge many times I’ve never had an opportunity to stop and take photos or enjoy the view, it seemed like the most exciting option by far!

Help phone on the bridge. I was startled to see it at first, then sad that there is a need, but I'm glad that someone is listening to those in need.

There is a lot of construction on the northern end of the bridge, so as I approached I wasn’t even sure if I’d be able to get on.  Luckily, that part wasn’t difficult, though it did require making a decision as to what I wanted to be able to see.  Did I want to look out at the ocean, towards Vancouver Island, Stanley Park and UBC or in towards the city and the harbour.  I chose the city and harbour side though I hope I have an opportunity soon to walk the other side as well, as I’m sure the views that way are spectacular as well.

Onto the bridge.

As soon as the bridge leaves the ground you know.  With one footstep I passed from solid ground to the constant vibration of the bridge deck.  It was neat, though a little startling how much it moves.  Next thing you pass is the help phone, for those who come to the bridge for much less happy reasons than I.  I’m glad those phones are there, I hope that they are successful in their mission.  But I’m very glad it was a calm and peaceful day on the bridge.

The Lions Gate Bridge is about 1.5 kilometers long and passes ‘First Narrows’ – the first narrowing of Burrard Inlet between the North Shore and Vancouver.  The towers reach to a height of 111m and the bridge deck has 61m of clearance for ships (I am guessing that the measurement is from high tide…?).  It was completed in 1938 and is still just an impressive bridge.

Looking up the north tower.

Hmm… I was going to tell a story here about some interesting history of the bridge, but oddly, I’m not finding any information to verify what I have been told.  Anyhow - I’ve been told that the bridge was forged here in Vancouver, in big workshops in Burnaby.  Once they were done constructing the pieces for our bridge the foundry then made similar pieces for the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, which were then floated by barge for assembly down south.  The Golden Gate Bridge was built in Canada!  Since then, those workshops have been turned into movie studios and house Bridge Studios (thanks Michael for the correction).  Now, I’ve always believed this story, and I still do.  I admit I didn’t do an extensive search for information but I didn’t find one whisper of it at all.  Does anyone have more concrete information?  I’d love to learn more – please send it on or comment if you do.  Thanks!

Downtown Vancouver from the Lions Gate Bridge.

Right, back to my walk.  It really was enjoyable.  I do highly recommend the it to anyone that is looking for a nice activity in Vancouver – it doesn’t even have to be a sunny day.  I got rained on a bit, but somehow that just made it more fun for me.  I was thinking that if you walked from Vancouver north on one side of the bridge you could head to Park Royal in West Vancouver for lunch before walking back on the other side of the bridge.  It would make such a nice day!

Vancouver Harbour from the Lions Gate Bridge.

One of the lions at the south end of the Lions Gate Bridge with a poppy wreath for Remembrance Day.

Another nice thing about walking across the Lions Gate Bridge is that you get to walk through Stanley Park.  I do get to visit the park fairly often, however I’ve never walked along the paths I went this day.  I got to see Beaver Lake and the Rose and Perennial Gardens as well as a lot of beautiful forest.  I did have one odd encounter.  One of the Park employees in his little Gator work truck stopped to warn me about people being attacked in the park.  I thanked him for his warning, paid more attention to my surroundings and wondered how often something actually happened, particularly in broad daylight.  I am not trying at all to belittle the victims of crime within the park, but I do hope that the warning was not a true reflection of a person’s safety.  Like I said, I paid more attention to my surroundings but did not ever feel the least bit threatened (instead I seemed to annoy a squirrel that was trying to enjoy a snack).

Stanley Park is part of the temperate rainforest found along BC's coast. Here the morning sun is vapourizing the water on the forest floor.

In Stanely Park.

Ducks on Beaver Lake.

The Perennial Garden near the Georgia Street entrance to Stanley Park.

Though not a very long story it was a long and lovely walk.  I took many more photos and if you’re interested in seeing them please visit my Flickr page by clicking here.  Until the next adventure… thank you merci for reading.