ELK FALLS SUSPENSION BRIDGE

 ELK FALLS SUSPENSION BRIDGE. A gift from the Rotary Club of Campbell River. In honour of the 75th birthday celebrations.  Open to everyone, starting on May 9 , 2015. And it is FREE!
                         
 Known as Salmon Capitol of the world, Campbell River now boasts  a suspension bridge( jot as big as the ones at Capilano, but still, a suspension bridge), that offers an incredible view of the 25 foot metre falls.The park is 1,055 hectares ( give or take), and the protected area is 16 hectares. Elk Falls was designated a park around Dec  1940, I believe.

 Great walking trail. I was really impressed with how easy it was to get down to the falls. You do have to walk over the bridge that spans over  water pipes  supplying water to Campbell River.

  The trail  has been well laid out with views of the valley and the streams. There is a campground  located at Elk Falls with everything you will wish for. So much wildlife in the area, bears, deer, Roosevelt Elk, otters, muskrat and Beavers. In fact there is a Beaver Dam! Fishermen come from all over to fish in the Quinsom River, and surrounding lakes, for trout and salmon. From Nov to March  is the steelhead run.

 Only drawback: a huge new staircase that you have to hoof down to the suspension bridge. It 's not wheelchair accessible, or for those who have  any sort of mobility issues.  But you can get to the top of the staircase, and see the edge of the falls. If you're okay with walking up and down stairs, then  it's just fine.There are 6 kilometres of trails in the park.

 This area has the only old growth Douglas fir forest.  The bridge is secure. But it still wobbles a tad....so if you are not too crazy on heights you can go at least a little ways out.

     I managed to get part of the way out, before I felt the need to scoot back to one of the  viewing platforms.

 Being salmon capitol of the world, many fishermen come to this area to fish for chinook and coho salmon,Also part of the park is the Quinsom Salmon Hatchery.  Worth  a look and and a wander on the trails there. In the fall, you can watch the salmon swim upstream to spawn. The falls are a good day trip to GOld River, Kelsey Bay, ROck Bay, Sayward, Quadra and Cortes Islands.  Really worth a look at the Elk Falls Suspension Bridge. And did I mention it is FREE?