Last week we stopped our ride at Pemberton Avenue. Today we’re going to cross the border into West Vancouver.
The first part of the Spirit Trail winds through Norgate, a quiet neighbourhood filled with mid-century ranchers built during the post-war boom period. But did you know that the whole area was originally intended to be the Capilano Air Park?
It was first proposed in 1945 and the idea was that it would cater to tourists flying their own planes from other parts of North America. There would be two runways and construction would start in 1947 and include luxury accommodation. In the end, we couldn’t afford it and the land was sold to Hullah Construction for a subdivision.
After we pass through Norgate, it’s a quick ride to the road that leads to the Lions Gate Bridge, built in 1939 by the Guinness brewing family. The provincial government later bought the bridge and the toll came off in 1963.
In 1982, a group of UBC engineering students suspended a Volkswagen Beetle from the bridge. On the first night, a group of students attached a cable under the bridge. On the second night, students drove a jeep towing the reinforced Beetle. The students detached the car, slipped a cable under its roof, attached the other end to the side of the bridge, and pushed the car over the railings.
As we approach the Capilano River and West Vancouver, it’s pretty clear that the district (named by Macleans Magazine as the richest postal code in Canada last year) is not spending its net worth on the Spirit Trail. In fact, it’s lack of enthusiasm is downright dangerous as you cross the bridge that takes you over to Ambleside.
But in 1913, it wasn’t cars that you had to worry about. The sand and gravel that washed down the Capilano River had built up on the north side of First Narrows to such an extent that ships were grounding, especially in bad weather. In July of that year, George Alfred Harris became the first lightkeeper at the newly constructed First Narrows Lighthouse.
The lighthouse, and the keeper’s house sat on pilings at the mouth of the Capilano River, and except for very low tide, the Harris family was surrounded by water. The lighthouse operated until 1968.
Top photo: Walking over the Lions Gate Bridge in 1939. Courtesy CVA 260-995
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Next time, we’ll be riding through Ambleside and along to Dundarave where the Spirit Trail ends for now.
If you’ve missed any of the rides, please see:
The North Shore’s Spirit Trail – Moodyville (part 1)
Moodyville to Lonsdale Quay (part 2)
7 comments on “Riding the Spirit Trail from Pemberton Avenue to the Capilano River (Part 6)”
I love the Spirit Trail between Park Royal and Norgate – it’s my favourite part despite that terrible Larco bridge. There’s a deal in the works to fix it, partly with West Van taxpayer money and partly with Larco money. We’ll see if it works.
Happy to hear that!
Very interesting bit of history. I rode through there many times, and across the Lion’s Gate, of course.
Ive been following your series on this trail and its very interesting. I havent been on the trail as outlined in the blogs but Ive visited many of the locations. I delivered rebar to the grain elevator construction site in the 70s. Many load of pulp to Lynn Term and Northgate Terminals. Dined at 7 Seas.
In much younger days my friend and I would ride our Mustang bikes from our homes on Barclay St in West End through Stanley Park over the Lions Gate bridge thru N Van and back over the Second Narrows. These rides were always an adventure . Your next leg from Ambleside to Dundarave my wife and myself and the dog have walked many times. The scenery is spectacular. Our dog is to small to use the segregated dog trail but we dont get to many complaints for her being on the wrong side of the fence.
I am enjoying your spirit trail articles
very much as I lived on Fell Ave. near the waterfront in the 1950s.
Thanks Fred! Can’t even imagine what it would have looked like then. No auto mall…
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