This tour normally is done in two days but with good timing it can be done in a single day. The first stop was on the Othello Tunnels. Here you can see the remains of the Kettle Valley Railway grade that passes through the canyon and 5 tunnels which were built in 1914.
One hour later a quick visit to Hope was done. Besides its famous wood sculptures you can appreciate its Japanese Garden.
Then I drove north on Highway 1 and 40 kms later, I stopped on Alexandra Bridge, the pre-Highway 1
Along the road you can admire the Fraser Canyon. At noon I arrived to Lillooet. A quick visit to the museum shows some displays of old tools, a small jail, and other interesting artefacts.
On Highway 99 I saw a hungry little bear looking for food. I couldn't take better pictures because I didn't want to miss the action :) Let me remind you something, on this area around July there is an increase of Black Bear activity (is the time for the annual bear migration). Be cautious if you are planning to hike around Whistler and Pemberton areas. This is their house, not ours.
A quick stop on Duffey Lake and some views of Mount Matier.
30 minutes later I arrived to one of my favourites places, Joffre Lakes.
After leaving Pemberton I did a quick stop on Nairn Falls. At Nairn Falls nature uses the erosional force of small rocks and water, day after day after to carve on the rock.
Over time, shifting currents have scoured pools and arches out of solid rock
At 5:00 p.m. I arrived to Whistler and a quick visit to the village was done.
Around 7:00 p.m. we arrived to Brandywine Falls. Thousands of years ago, there was no canyon along Brandywine Creek. Then, as glaciers receded, they released massive volumes of melt water which cut through a hard resistant lava flow. As water undercut the hard layer, a lip formed and then collapsed. Over time, erosion has moved the falls upstream, leaving a spectacular canyon on its wake.
The final stop was in Shannon Falls. As Glacier ice scoured Howe Sound, creating the deep U-shaped valley we see today. Small tributary valleys like Shannon Creek were left hanging, high above the glaciated valley floor. The steep granite walls continue to resist the erosional force of the small creek.
Ever wondered why the name of Garibaldi Provincial Park? Please let me introduce Giuseppe Garibaldi.
As a bonus, a quick stop to Prospect Point on Stanley Park was made. Lions Gates Bridge, North Vancouver and West Vancouver can be seen from here.
Click here to see my video of this trip (450 Kb wmv format)
Trip Time: 14:00 hours (including breaks)
The tour started at 8:00 a.m
The tour finished at 10:00 p.m
Round trip: Around 575 kms