The Lions Gate Bridge is a gorgeous structure connecting downtown Vancouver to West and North Vancouver.
Located over the Burrard Inlet, Lions Gate is the most beautiful bridge north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. With a span just shy of 2 kilometres across, you cannot help but marvel at a vision of the cable construction process 85 years ago. Opened to traffic in 1938, the Lions Gate was an innovative masterpiece of its time.
Local prominent engineering contractor Alfred JT Taylor was the mastermind behind the project. The contract was backed financially by the Guinness Brewing Company intent on connecting the city with British Properties.
Originally known as the 'First Narrows Bridge', the name Lions Gate was adopted as a tribute to a pair of twin peaks along the North Shore mountain range called 'The Lions'. Famous Vancouver sculptor Charles Marega created the two concrete Lions that stand at the gate as you enter the platform northbound. These were Marega's last significant public pieces created.
Lions Gate Tour
In the decades that I have cherished this city, there has never been a single time that I have driven over the Lions Gate without a sense of awe. Without a doubt in my mind, the 360-degree view that is absorbed on this structure could rival any view that you could find, anywhere. That is not to say that a better view does not exist, it is to say that the view from Lions Gate could never be left out of that conversation.
Please, do not take my word for it. Let's walk around this beast from end to end. You can decide for yourself.
If you are in Vancouver and would like to walk the bridge, the best place to park and access it would be in a parking lot just northwest of the bridge at the edge of West Vancouver. Park Place parkade at the edge of the shopping square provides free parking and is a short jaunt east towards the bridge.
As you approach the side of the bridge, you will notice these lane signs pointing traffic in different directions. You are in the right place. Walk up the stairs to the left.
If you are planning on doing the entire perimeter, you should start on the east side of the bridge (skyline side). I say this for two reasons:
You share the walkway with cyclists and some of them are flying by. 99.9% of the cyclists travel in the same direction as the traffic on the right side. Walking in their direction is wise as you can see when they are coming.
If you realize that the walk is going to be longer than you care to partake in, at least you visited the most photo friendly side of the bridge.
East Side of Bridge
Here we go, head up the stairs, take a photo of the underside and prepare to enjoy yourself.
Upon reaching the surface, you need to walk a bit down the platform to start reaping the views of the city. This shot here is not the best angle. However, it sets the tone knowing that you are just starting and already know that it will be worth it!
Soon after, you reach the start of the suspended cables. Again, you cannot help but appreciate the craftsmanship in the assembling of this structure. All hardware and components are massive. How in the world was this built nearly 100 years ago?
This shot is looking back towards the direction that you walked from nearing the halfway point. There are a couple of walkout platforms such as this on each side to stop and take some photos or just soak in the boats going by.
Vancouver's skyline is a thing of beauty from all angles. The special aspect of this vantage point is having Vancouver's jewel in the foreground--Stanley Park.
Boat Watching
For this adventure, I was hoping to catch a cruise ship heading by. Lions Gate bridge has a clearance height of 370 feet. Cruise ships are being constructed larger and larger as we humans become more and more driven to build bigger. Given that on average there is only a 100-foot clearance for ships to pass through, the large ones are quite a spectacle to watch pass under; some newer cruise ships cannot dock in Vancouver as they are too large to fit underneath the bridge.
On this day I did not get a huge ocean liner. However, this ferry came through the channel and provided me with sufficient photos to put a smile on my face. The bonus with this day is that the weather was impeccable and the vessel was approaching with a clear view of Mount Baker in Washington State, USA in the background.
Here we have a panned-out shot of the boat approaching. To the right, you can see the cranes at the Port Of Vancouver. In the distance, you can identify Metrotown high rises as well as Brentwood in Burnaby.
Waiting patiently..
There it is!
Had I walked back a kilometre to the beginning of the bridge, I would have had a better angle that would have included more sky and Stanley Park, but for today, I am happy with these photos for a day of random wandering.
Additional views..
We have now reached the halfway point at Stanley Park. Take a quick photo of the Lion statues & start your way to the other side of the bridge.
I should not have to clarify this, but do not attempt to cross the road here. You are more likely to get hit by a car than not. There are paths that run underneath the bridge on both ends.
West Side Of Bridge
These next two photos are sitting on the southwest part of the bridge facing west with the Stanley Park Seawall path along the perimeter and Prospect Point lookout point as well.
After all of these years of taking photos of this area from the Prospect Point lookout, I realize that those do not compare to the view you can get from standing on the bridge.
This caught me by surprise as you would assume that taking a photo of the bridge itself would be better. That wasn't the case. These views are phenomenal.
Here we go. Now we are heading northbound on the west side of the bridge with an entirely new view to enjoy.
From this perspective, you can see both the Grouse and Cypress Mountains as well as Mt Seymour. This look also provides wonderful views of West Vancouver shorelines and clear views of the famous affluent neighbourhood of British Properties.
Just to give you an idea of how massive this structure is..
Utilizing the lookout platforms is a must on this side as well..
West Vancouver and British Properties..
At this point, I hope that my comments earlier regarding some of the best 360 views you will find anywhere are hitting home. Each side of the bridge gifts you with breathtaking views of land, water, sky, structures, vessels, and mountain range.
These photos were taken on a Monday when the waterways were relatively quiet yet there was still so much to see.
This is your final stretch before hitting the stairway. What better way to cap off this spectacular experience than a gaze over at the stunning mountain range to the north.
Take another photo of the underside...because you can!
It is like I didn't want to leave..
An Ugly Reality
I decided to leave this part out until the end. Now more than ever this is a subject that needs attention in our world.
Not only has the Lions Gate Bridge been a popular spot for sightseeing and physical activity, the bridge has also been a known location for people to end their lives. This is something not exclusive to Vancouver. Mental Health in our world continues to deteriorate with a lack of societal adjustments or political care in alleviating the worsening of the problem.
There are 4 of these phones on Lions Gate. During the walk, you cannot help but put yourself in the shoes of somebody about to make this decision. Life has thrown me many curveballs; trauma is something I know well. Getting to a point where one of these phones are your last hope at believing somebody cares - is heartbreaking to picture.
I have no idea how many people have jumped off of this bridge, nor do I know how many times these phones have been used, but I do know that it is far more than anybody is comfortable knowing.
In the past, media would report "police incidents" when Lions Gate would abruptly close. Most often it would be the case of trying to talk somebody out of taking the jump.
If anybody reading this post is going through tough times and have encountered situations in your life that make you feel like you cannot move forward, you need to chat about it. One thing I have learned in my insane life is that time can heal anything. What may seem impossible now, can be easy down the road.
Resources are available to get immediate help. You do not have to go at it alone.
I will leave with this kind little message somebody wrote on the bridge not far from the suicide phones the day before I was there...
Thank you all for reading..