Sunwolf Cabins Review
Bottom Line There are fewer things better than staying in a cozy cabin tucked away in the forest, somewhere you can disconnect and unplug from the outside world. We found this when we stayed at Sunwolf Cabins. Only a few minutes down the Squamish Valley Road, the Sunwolf cabins are nestled in the trees right along the banks of the Cheakamus River. Even with it’s close proximity to Squamish and Brackendale, as soon as you drive in you feel like this is the perfect place to unwind and connect with nature. Our Experience We had the opportunity to stay in the Logger’s Shack early this December. A beautiful, newly renovated 550 square foot cabin. It had all the modern conveniences you need but it was still kept rustic enough to feel set apart from everyday life. There were no screens to be found in the cabin, but plenty of windows to look out at the trees and a wood burning stove that kept the cabin toasty warm. I don’t know about you but the coziness of a location is tripled when there is loft, which is where the main bed was in this cabin. Tucked in the A-Frame roof, it isn’t quite standing room, but it’s enough room to sit and curl up in one of the softest most comfortable beds we have slept in. There is another pull out bed downstairs so the cabin can comfortably sleep 4 people. There was a fully equipped kitchen so we were able to cook our own dinner and brew up a cup of coffee to sit by the fire and listen to the rain falling outside. When the rain decided to break we took advantage of the open grounds to go rambling in the mossy forest and go sit by the river. It was quiet and secluded, it felt more like we were staying at a retreat; somewhere we could really rest and relax. What They Offer Being at Sunwolf for us was about slowing down, adjusting our pace so that we could just be in the surroundings. It helps that they have an on site cafe, called Fergie’s, that serves the most delicious brunch around, so there is no need to get up too early to grab breakfast. They even have guided river rafting and eagle float trips, depending on the season. We took one of their winter Eagle Float Trips and have to say it was one of the most spectacular ways to see eagles. Within one hour we spotted over 200 and that doesn’t even include the other 13 varieties of birds we saw. For a fully detailed review...
The Wonderland Valley Resort and Campground
Bottom Line: The Wonderland Valley Resort and Campground is a hidden gem for staying overnight in Squamish. Situated in an amazing location in the trees, with moss covered cliffs beside it, a babbling brook running through it and a secret viewpoint to watch sunsets on the impressive Stawamus Chief and beyond. The amenities are generous with fast Wifi (tested at 50Mb/s download during our stay), laundry facilities onsite for washing and drying and clean washrooms. We found the showers always had hot water and the pressure was always high. Loved it! First Impressions: Hidden in the forest just north of Squamish near Brackendale is the Wonderland Valley Resort and Campground. As you leave Squamish heading towards Whistler it is on the right at the intersection of Highway 99 with Depot Road East. This intersection is known locally as “The Yellow House Intersection” due to the large yellow house on the right as you drive north. Turn right here and head along the road into the forest, following the wonderfully designed purple and gold signs for Wonderland. As we entered the grounds for the first time we realized that this was not an RV park like any other we’d seen before. It was colourful, vibrant and charming. We checked in and went about getting our trailer, an old Boler camper, hooked up to power and water. We picked a spot beside a flowing creek for those soothing babbling sounds that would lull us to sleep every night. The trees above rustled with the wind casting speckled sunshine across the forest floor. This place was indeed Wonderland. The Wonderland name originates from this Resorts location next to Alice Lake, referring to the story of “Alice in Wonderland”. Alice Lake can be reached from the grounds on foot or mountain bike by using the “Wonderland” trail. A lot of the trails nearby have been given “Alice in Wonderland” themed names also. Even though we were only a few minutes drive from Squamish we felt like we were out in the wild. Wonderland Valley Resort and Campground has done an excellent job of preserving the natural experience to their grounds. In the evenings be sure to check out the Water Tower Viewpoint that offers amazing views of the sun setting over the Stawamus Chief mountain and the town of Squamish. It will take your breathe away. More than just a Campground: Not only can you camp out in a tent here, they also have service for both 15 amp and 30 amp Campers and RV’s with water, electrical and sewer hook ups as well as a Hotel with views out above the trees into...
10 Reasons To Run Squamish 50 Every Year
This year made my 3rd year in a row running a distance in the Squamish 50 series. My love affair with the Squamish 50 began when I signed up for my first trail race, the 50km option, in 2013. The following year would see me attempting and finishing my first 50 miler and this year I chose the 50km option once again. What exactly is it about this race that keeps me coming back for more? Here are 10 of my favourite things about this race and reasons why you should put this race on your yearly schedule. 1.Finish line hugs. The race director, Gary Robbins, actually waits at the finish line both days to congratulate every single runner that comes across the finish line with a hug (he might even let you tousle that glorious beard, if that’s your kind of thing). Don’t be surprised either if random runners are coming up to you to hug you, high five and give you a job well done. There is just a lot of love going around at the finish line of this race! 2. Singletrack trail for miles upon miles. The course has been designed to contain at least 85% beautiful forest singletrack.This is trail running at it’s best! 3. Running in a rainforest. That’s right, this isn’t just any forest we are running through. This is Pacific Northwest Rain Forest which means there are giant cedar and hemlock trees, ferns filling the forest floor and moss a colour of green you wouldn’t believe. It’s vibrant, it’s humid and the air is filled with the scent of wet earth and vegetation. 4. Bouncing across wooden mountain bike bridges. Did you know that almost all of the trails in Squamish have generously been created by the SORCA (Squamish Off Road Cycling Association) mountain biking community and do you know what mountain bikers love? Wooden bridges! Funny because trail runners love them too. The short ones curve steeply requiring you to pay extra attention to your footing and the longer ones bounce with each step which means the bridge rises up to meet your foot at each placement. 5. Salty potatoes. This might not sound like a big deal or even that tasty. But run 23 km (14 miles), 50 km (31 miles) or 80 km (50 miles) on a warm August day and tell me that the starchy, salty, melt in your mouth potato doesn’t hit the right spot. 6. High fives everywhere. I like to think that trail runners are a different breed of runner. They are friendlier, more excitable and more willing to have a chat on the trail....
Exploring the Whistler Via Ferrata
If you haven’t already, check out our previous post about Via Ferratas and our experience on the Squamish Via Ferrata at the Sea to Sky Gondola. You can read that here: An Adventure on the Squamish Via Ferrata Well, after our morning out with the Mountain Skills Academy on the Squamish Via Ferrata we were psyched to check out the Whistler Via Ferrata next. The Whistler Via Ferrata was one of the first of it’s kind in Canada and we were told that it was a few grades harder than the newer one recently opened in Squamish. Fresh off our experience in Squamish we were excited to see for ourselves what it was like! It’s longer than the Squamish Via Ferrata being a 4 hour return trip from the Roundhouse on Whistler Mountain. Myself and Spring met up with our Guide and group at the base of the gondola in Whistler. From there we took the gondola up and got to know each other on the scenic ride up the mountain. At the top we went to a little cabin near the Roundhouse to get our harnesses, helmets and lanyards. Coming straight off our Squamish trip we felt like seasoned pros with the equipment. Weather couldn’t slow us down. We headed out promptly and got the day underway. Clouds were building overhead and weather looked to be rolling in but it didn’t slow us down. Right away we got that big mountain feel. From the Roundhouse you will be starting above the trees in the Alpine. We were surrounded by rock, ice and snow. After hiking for a bit towards Whistler Mountain we gained the base of our route and the fun of climbing the “Iron Road” began. We clipped into the security of the metal cable running along the length of the route and started moving upwards steadily. We could definitely feel that this Via Ferrata was different to the Squamish one. The rungs were further apart and in places you needed to hold onto rock to move upwards. It was varied and interesting but never too hard. A girl in our group had never done anything remotely like this before and she found it a lot of fun. We always had the reassurance that we were protected as we were clipped into the metal cable. Bringing back the High 5 on Whistler Mountain! The route had an awesome mountaineering feel. We traversed ledges, moved around blocky features, ascended steep cliffs, all while working our way towards the summit. If you want that feeling like you are aiming for an objective in the mountains and working to achieve it...
An Adventure on the Squamish Via Ferrata
“What is a Via Ferrata?”, it’s understandable if you’re asking that question right now. Being honest, up until a few years ago I didn’t exactly know what it was myself. I’m going to explain what it is below but let me first say this, if you’re a hiker and living in or thinking about visiting the Southwest of British Columbia you should get stoked right about now because having access to a Via Ferrata in Squamish is going to be a game changer for many of you. “Via Ferrata” is an Italian word that translates to “Iron Road”. They’ve been used for centuries but were popularized during WWI as a means of safely moving troops and equipment through the Alps. They are now found extensively throughout Italy and Austria as attractions for people to be able to move in the mountains and on cliffs with the security of protection bolted into the rock. It’s common for individuals in that region to have experience on Via Ferratas. Growing up hikers there progress from being on steep trails, to using Via Ferratas in the Mountains, to learning to climb rock and use ropes. It’s a part of the process of learning to move in the mountains. Squamish needed a Via Ferrata. It’s awesome now that Squamish, a world renowned Mountain and Climbing town has got its own Via Ferrata for people to experience. If you’ve hiked on trails and want to experience something a little bit more adventurous, then this Via Ferrata is definitely for you. When I first moved to Squamish I hadn’t really ever been in the mountains before. I learned to hike and backpack but I found it hard to make the next step to learning to climb. It felt like a leap to go from hiking on trails to suddenly climbing rock faces. I hadn’t developed a trust in the ropes that I would hang my life on. Eventually I pushed through and started climbing but I couldn’t help but feel like there was a step between hiking and climbing that I was missing. That step is Via Ferratas. Myself and Spring had the opportunity to get guided by the Mountain Skills Academy on the Squamish Via Ferrata at the Sea to Sky Gondola. This would be both of our first times on one of these “Iron Roads” along cliff faces. We met up with our guide near the Summit Lodge of the Sea to Sky Gondola and received a tutorial about the gear we would be using. The Mountain Skills Academy provided the harness and helmet for us as well as the Y-shaped lanyard that we’d...
