Squamish River at the northern end of the Brackendale dike- a great place to watch the eagles!  The Cheakamus River joins the Squamish River from the right (a popular rafting trip) and the mountains of the Elaho Valley are in the distance.  The dyke here is a great place for a walk!
Details of Tantalus Walking Group
Travel to Brackendale
Brackendale is a community of some 2000 people, located about 8 km north of Squamish, and some 75 km from  Vancouver International Airport.  The Squamish River and surrounding mountains to about 4000 m provide a beautiful natural setting.  There are many opportunities for viewing wild-life (Bald Eagles from November through January, salmon, bears, coyotes, cougars, seals and a wide variety of birds in the Estuary.  The area is also recognized by outdoor enthusiasts for its rock-climbing, mountain biking, kayaking and rafting possibilities.  The weather in August and September is beautiful, but at other times of the year anticipate relatively mild weather with showers and occasional heavy rain- the region is classed as a temperate rain forest!
Squamish is a thriving community of some 17,000 people, with the usual range of stores and churches, many restaurants, some art galleries, hotels, parks, a modern library and municipal leisure centre.  It can be reached by car, bus, or boat (the last in the summer months only).  The West Coast Railway museum is popular with railway enthusiasts, and at weekends there is folk music in a pleasant setting at the Brackendale Art Gallery.
BY CAR
 


ROUTE DIRECTIONS
Brackendale is 90-120 minutes drive from Vancouver Airport, depending on traffic and weather conditions.  On leaving the airport, take the Granville St. exit, and follow Highway1/99 signs through City Centre to Georgia St.  Travel west on Georgia St. to the Stanley Park Causeway and Lion's Gate Bridge, taking the left exit from bridge (signed Squamish and Whistler).

Turn right up Taylor Way at Park Royal shopping mall, after crossing a second bridge, to Highway 1 (Transcanada Expressway) at the top of the hill.  Follow the Transcanada Highway westwards towards Horsehoe Bay Ferry, take exit 1 or 2 (depending on signs) for Highway 99 North just before reaching the ferry.

Beyond this point, the road is narrow and winding, with quite steep hills, and it can be treacherous during winter months.  Currently, there are also major delays from roadworks for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Continue on the main highway 99 beyond Squamish (the Town Centre is to the left, pastMap MacDonald's restaurant).  Take a left turn at the fourth traffic light to the north of Squamish, a distance of some 5 km , 2.5 km past Walmart and 0.5 km beyond the Canadian Tire store and cinema.  There are a Husky gas station and a Burger King restaurant
on the corner where you turn left and then right.  Follow the map some 2 km, turning right on Eagle Run Drive at the Petro-Canada station, left on Kingswood, and then left on Dryden to  41390 Dryden Rd. (our place is a bungalow on the right of the road, with a pale green garage door, the second house over a small bridge  marked by a Dyden Creek/fish habitat sign).

It is also possible to enter Dryden Road from the north End, by a new road just opposite to the post-office; it is not yet labelled, but there is a large sign advertising "New Homes at Bracken Arms Estates."

If coming from the North, turn right at the Brackendale dign (a new traffic light).
BY BUS
 
There are normally six-seven Greyhound buses per day in each direction between Vancouver and Squamish.  Leaving Vancouver, these
may be boarded at Pacific central bus station, near Main Street, or on Georgia St. opposite to the Vancouver Hotel (at the second bus shelter outside the Royal Bank).  The latter is a request stop, and you must signal clearly to the bus; it will be labelled Whistler or Pemberton.  When coming from the airport, it is possible to travel by Airporter to the Vancouver Hotel, but a taxi (fare about $26) to the Pacific Central bus depot may be more convenient.   Book to Garibaldi depot, some 5 km beyond Squamish (one way fare is about $10, with a senior's discount for BC citizens).  A further alternative is to travel by Pacific Coach Lines bus to Squamish Adventure Centre (book at the airport). The journey time from Vancouver is about 90 minutes, and we will be glad to pick you up at the Garibaldi depot of the Adventure Centre (phone 604-898-5527).

The schedules for the buses are currently somewhat variable, due to extensive roadworks.  Check times at www.greyhound.ca.   and Pacific Coach Lines Whistler service.  

BY TRAIN or BOAT.  BC Rail has unfortunately discontinued the passenger train service to Squamish .  However, there is a return
train trip from North Vancouver (BC Rail) station to Whistler in the summer months; you could travel one way by train to Whistler, and take the Grethound from there to Squamish.
 

There may also be a cruise from Coal Harbour in Downtown Vancouver to Squamish in the summer months; the boat cruise takes about three hours in each
direction, and in good weather is very scenic.

Pictures of Squamish (1)
Pictures of Squamish (2)
Pictures of Squamish (3)
Pictures of Squamish (4)
Howe Sound Arts Association
West Coast Railway Museum
Brackendale Art Gallery
Newport Art Gallery
Forestry Ships in Squamish Harbour
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