PHL > YVR Hiking Trip: What are YOU doing? (Warning: Canadian Content)

[Derry Murbles]

Long story short, my girlfriend of what would have been 7 years on 7/31 and I have parted ways and I'm going on sort of a mental cleansing trip to Vancover, BC in August. Has anyone here spent time out there and if so, do you have any cool recommendations for lesser known gems or spots?

Plane ticket is booked, rental car reserved, and lodging is booked for all but one night (the last night there before flying out late the following day). I've been out there for vacation about 8 years ago and stayed in the city for most of the trip, staying in Whistler for a couple nights. This time I plan on sort of reversing the arrangement- 5 nights spent up in the Squamish area with a night or two camping, and only a night or two.

I plan to only stay within the city one night but I'm open to being convinced otherwise. Anyway, the rough itinerary is stay/hike out of Squamish (I can drive anywhere within BC) for my first three days, then head to Garibaldi Park to do the panorama ridge hike, camping overnight between ascent/descent.

Outside of doing a decent amount of hiking, my itinerary is mostly TBA. So what say you TB? Anything I should check out over there?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bluesblaster]

bear repellent

 

[ZenG]

If you're coming this far...get on a ferry over to the island.

Nanaimo to Campbell River on the old highway is a nice little trip. (That would be Horseshoe bay to Departure bay ferry). The old highway is more scenic. But you can come back on the inland highway which is much faster. Lots of beaches to stop off at and places to eat on the water on the way up.

Or you could take the Tswassen ferry(from south Van) to Sidney (Victoria)....Victoria waterfront and surrounding area (such as East Sooke Park) is pretty nice to look at. The Victoria waterfront drive is pretty scenic. Go down to the float wharf near the inner harbor for some good food.
August is pretty busy in Victoria touristwise. If you were to stay there you'd need to get right on motel or hotel reservations.

Ferry to Nanaimo is about 1 1/2 hours one way. Tswassen ferry to Victoria is a tad longer. Best to reserve your spot. It can get busy.

The ferry ride itself is a nice ocean experience.

I see you are on limited time. I could suggest a lot of places on the island but not within your window.

No Grizzly bears on the island...just Black bears.