Crazy narrow roads lined with million dollar homes, I almost thought my GPS was taking me to some unaffiliated remote location in West Vancouver until BOOM – the discreet sign for the parking lot. I made it to Lighthouse Park [4902 Beacon Ln, West Vancouver, BC V7W 1K5, Canada] a place where magic awaits.
This park is so much more than a lighthouse. When you hit the trails you enter the last standing first-growth forest of Douglas Firs, the surrounding area has been logged. The trees are 500 years old, even their knees and elbows are supersized.
Through the valley of the giants you can descend amongst the emerald moss down to the rocky bluffs and rugged coastline. The whole environment changes drastically here.
Other than a handful of rock climbers with equipment hanging off the side, I had the top of the rock to myself for some peaceful viewing.
It was peaceful, but I kept hearing a gentle disruption behind me. I turned around to investigate, but the noise seemed so far away. My echolocate-r drew my eyes to the tiniest white dot on top of a tall tree where the sound and sight combined to an answer. Although the dot was too far to identify with the naked eye, I zoomed right in with my camera and affirmed that a bald eagle was perched, king of the land.
From the spectacular viewpoint I hugged the coast and made it out to the namesake lighthouse.
This was where everyone from the parking lot was, a popular place to enjoy a sunshiny day.