Squamish River at the northern end of the Brackendale dyke- a great place to watch the eagles!  Here, 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!

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, surfing, 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 18,000 people, with the usual range of stores and churches, many restaurants, some small art galleries, hotels, parks, a modern library and municipal leisure centre.  It can be reached by car, and a limited bus service.  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 the bridge (it is signed Squamish and Whistler).

Turn right up Taylor Way at Park Royal shopping mall after crossing a second smaller bridge, to Highway 1 (The Trans-Canada Highway) at the top of the hill.  Follow the Trans-Canada Highway westwards towards Horsehoe Bay Ferry, take exit  for Highway 99 North just before reaching the ferry.

Beyond this point, the road ismostly expressway, but has quite steep hills, and it can be treacherous during winter months. 
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.  There are a Husky gas station, and Burger King and Tim Horton's restaurant
son the corner where you turn left and then immediately to the right by the Bank of Commerce.  Follow the map some 2 km, turning right on Eagle Run Drive at the Petro-Canada station, left on Kingswood Rd., and then left on Dryden Rd. to  41390 Dryden Rd. (our home is a bungalow on the right side of the road, with a dark 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 road just opposite to the Brackendale post-office.

If coming from the North, turn right at the Brackendale sign the first traffic light south of Alice Lake Park).

 
BY BUS
 
There are normally four Greyhound buses per day in each direction between Vancouver and Squamish.  Leaving Vancouver, they seare boarded at Pacific central bus station, near Main Street.When coming from the airport, it is possible to travel by Skytain to the bus terminal, but a taxi (fare about $30) to the Pacific Central bus depot may be more convenient.   Book the Greyhound bus to Garibaldi depot (Squamish North), some 5 km beyond Squamish.  A further alternative is to travel by Pacific Coach Lines bus to Squamish Adventure Centre (book your seat at the airport desk). The journey time from Vancouver to Squamish is about 90 minutes, and we will be glad to pick you up at the Garibaldi depot (for the Greyhound) or the Adventure Centre (for PCL)(phone 604-898-5527).
 
Check bus times at www.greyhound.ca.   and Pacific Coach Lines Whistler service.   Return to Home Page