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  • The Road From Whistler to Jasper with Limited Mobility

    Mount Robson, Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

    Driving from Whistler to Jasper

    The next part of our Grand Western Canadian roadtrip was the drive from Whistler to Jasper.  Unfortunately, here is where we left our GuideAlong tour guide behind for a while.  If you are following the GuideAlong version of this trip, you will drive to Banff from Whistler instead of Jasper; however, we decided to head to Jasper next.

    Duffey Lake Viewpoint

    The first suggested stop on this road trip is the Duffey Lake viewpoint, which is about an hour and fifteen minutes outside of Whistler Village center.  There is accessible parking at Duffey Lake; however, we didn’t stop.  I missed the turnoff for this one.

    Canadian Wine – Fort Berens Estate Winery

    Photo by Megan, Peggy and Dave enjoying some Chardonnay at Fort Berens Estate Winery

    Our next stop was at Fort Berens  Estate Winery in Lillooet, BC, where they grow wine in Frazier Canyon and overlooking the Frazier River.  It is right on the driving route and won’t add any time to the drive.  You enter Lillooet as you come down out of the mountains into the plains, about a two-hour drive from Whistler Village Center.  Fort Berens was the perfect stop to break up the drive, and I highly recommend it.  

    Peggy is a chardonnay drinker, and there were no chardonnays available by the glass, So, we bought a bottle, got a charcuterie board, and sat outside and enjoyed the views.  The weather was quite a bit warmer in Lillooet, so we all shed some layers while we sat outside under their tent.  The views from Fort Berens’ outdoor space are incredible.  

    There were a few stairs to get down to the tent area, and I’m not sure if there was a ramp.

    Marble Canyon Provincial Park

    Another scenic spot to stop between Whistler and Kamloops is Marble Canyon Provincial Park.  We made only a brief stop at this part to grab a couple pictures.  Accessibility information on Marble Canyon is available, however, this park isn’t really accessible.  There are accessible parking stalls, but no paved pathways down to the lake.  Both Peggy and Dave chose to stay at the car, while I hopped out to take a few pictures.  If you don’t stop at Fort Berens, this might be a good place for a picnic lunch.

    Marble Canyon is in the Pavilion Mountain Range in a limestone canyon.  According to the website, the canyon walls “have the appearance of a crumbling castle wall,” and the canyon was once part of a Pacific island chain.

    Stop for the Night – Kamloops

    Kamloops is a university town, home to Thompson Rivers University, located at the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers.  There are lot of hotel options here, all reasonably priced, so I’m sure you can find someplace to sleep.   

    Kamloops has an accessibility and inclusion plan and aims to be one of the most progressive cities in Canada for people with disabilities, “a place where disabilities are not barriers to living full lives and contributing to the community.” 

    Photo by Peter Robbins on Unsplash

    Kamloops Riverside Park

    Riverside Park in Kamloops offers free live music every evening in July and August.  We were tired from our day of driving so skipped out on the music, but it really seems like a cool option if you have the energy.  Certain parts of Riverside Park are accessible, including an accessible water park and inclusive playground open to the public as well as a beach-access mobility mat, two accessible water fountains, and multiple accessible pathways. 

    Kamloops BC Wildlife Park

    Kamloops is also home to BC Wildlife Park, a wildlife part and rehabilitation center for orphaned and injured wildlife, including a number of grizzly bears, black bears, and even a kermode bear.  There are also a couple cougars, wolves, foxes, as well as goats, sheep, a llama, donkeys, and lots of birds of prey.  

    Kremode Bear, Photo by Margaret Strickland on Unsplash

    BC Wildlife Park is also accessible.  Despite the wildlife, it allows the admittance of certified guide and service dogs.  There is free accessible parking.  The park can be explored by miniature train, which also has a wheelchair accessible space and paved ramp.  All of the pathways within the park are paved, but there may be a slight incline in some areas, and the animal habitats are wheelchair accessible.  They also offer sensory kits at guest services for guest with autism.  These kits include a storyboard, noise cancelling headphones, as well as other tools.  You may also borrow a wheelchair or power mobility scooter at the guest services desk on a first come, first serve basis.  The restrooms contain accessible stalls, and the outdoor restrooms have push-button automatic doors and roll under sinks.  

    While we originally planned to spend a morning at the Wildlife Park, we decided to skip this and hit the road to Jasper earlier.  I think we really missed out.

    North Thompson River

    Another option we considered was a scenic raft tour down the North Thompson River starting from Clearwater (about 1 hour 15 minutes from Kamloops on the way to Jasper). The tour runs from May through October and offers a 2-3 hour scenic float down the North Thompson River.   

    However, because Peggy and Dave weren’t certain that they had the mobility to handle getting on and off the raft, ultimately decided to pass on this stop.  

    For those who can’t walk long distances, but feel comfortable stepping onto a raft, this might be a great option.  It involves a short walk of about 200 meters to the riverbank and then a float on an 18-ft. inflatable raft with rear mounted oars.  The most commonly spotted wildlife are ospreys and bald eagles.  The scenery along the North Thompson River is spectacular.

    For the more adventurous, they also offer a 3 hour Whitewater rafting tour in Wells Gray Provincial Park.  If you take this tour, prepare to get cold and wet!  You will be outfitted with wetsuits, and the route involves a number of different rapids.  You will also have the opportunity to go cliff jumping if that’s your thing.  This was definitely, not our speed.

    Photo by Louis Paulin on Unsplash

    Wells Gray Provincial Park

    On that note, I’d like to take a few minutes to talk about Wells Gray Provincial Park.  Wells Gray Provincial Park is a 42 mile detour on the drive at Clearwater Valley Road.  If you take this detour, you will have the opportunity to see dozens of waterfalls, including Spahats Creek Falls,  Helmcken Falls (the fourth highest waterfall in Canada), and many more.  Wells Gray Provincial Park offers a range of hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and even motor boating opportunities.  If you have more time than we did, you could easily spend several days exploring the park.  

    Photo by Megan, Spahat’s Creek Falls

    We stopped briefly at Spahat’s Creek Falls which was relatively accessible for Dave, but too far a walk for Peggy; however, we didn’t continue on within Wells Gray Provincial Park as Helmcken Falls’ viewing platform was closed when we visited, and we had limited time on our drive and were trying to beat the rain to Jasper.  There was plenty of parking, and the restrooms were accessible.  The path from the parking area was slightly steep only when entering the path from the parking lot, but otherwise, Dave didn’t have problems in his wheelchair. 

    Photo by Megan, Spahat’s Creek Falls

    Rearguard Falls Provincial Park

    Another stop on this drive is Rearguard Falls Provincial Park.  We skipped this stop as it was really raining at this point in our drive.  Rearguard Falls is basically the end of the journey for Chinook Salmon, the largest of the Pacific Salmon.  The accessibility information for Rearguard Falls indicates that there is accessible parking and while the path is generally wide and relatively flat, getting to the viewing platform my require many flights of stairs.  The viewing platform is not connected to an accessible pathway so viewers would need to be able to climb stairs with the assistance of a handrail.

    Mount Robson Provincial Park

    The final, and most impressive, stop prior to arriving in Jasper is Mount Robson Provincial Park, which is guarded on the west by Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.  Mount Robson is visible from Highway 20 as you drive in from Clearwater; however, it is usually obscured by clouds, with clear views occurring on average only 12 days per year.

    Unfortunately for us, due to the rain, the day we drove through was not one of those clear days.  In fact, we didn’t realize we were driving past Mount Robson until we were literally driving past the parking lot.  If you get a clear day, this is a can’t miss stop.  Probably my biggest regret from this trip is that we didn’t drive back out to Mount Robson on one of the clear, beautiful days that we had in Jasper after our drive in.

    Mount Robson – Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

  • Whistler with Limited Mobility: Cerebral Palsy and a Torn Rotator Cuff

    Whistler on a Budget

    Like Vancouver, due in part to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Whistler is very
    accessible and is great for travelers with limited mobility. However, keep in mind that Whistler Village is pedestrian only. While this can be good for wheelchair users, it created problems for both Peggy and Dave. Unlike many other towns, where you can drive up and drop off at the front door of bars, restaurants, and activities, this is not possible in Whistler Village.

    Parking in Whistler Village is around the perimeter. We found the best option for dropping off and picking up close to the center of Whistler Village was to drop off at one of the hotels and then for me to go find parking in one of the large lots positioned in the exterior of the town.

    We made this mistake of leaving Dave’s wheelchair in the car when visiting Whistler Village. While I dropped Dave off close to the restaurant where we ate at dinner, we decided to walk to an ice cream shop for dessert. This was a mistake as the ice cream shop was downhill from the restaurant, and then there was no good way to get Dave and Peggy back to a location where I could pick them up in the car. In the end, we continued downhill and found a hotel with a bench where Peggy and Dave could wait while I retrieved the car and picked them up.

    Photo by Micah McKerlich on Unsplash

    As an alternative, many hotels may offer shuttles into Whistler Village. This is a great
    way to avoid paying for parking or the stress of needing to find a parking spot; however,
    keep in mind that this may mean a lot of walking, and most hotel shuttles are not
    wheelchair friendly.

    Superfly Zipline

    Located a short drive outside Whistler, Superfly Zipline offers accessible options for ziplining on Cougar Mountain with breathtaking views of Wedge Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain. Superfly is experienced in working with guests with limited mobility; however, you must have sufficient hand strength and grip to hold the handlebar and must weigh between 60 lbs. and 250 lbs.

    Photo by Megan, Dave getting ready to zipline
    Photo by Megan, Ken ready to zipline

    Both Dave and Ken had moments of doubt about their ability to do this tour, but they overcame their fears and decided to give it a try. They were both able to enjoy the thrill of ziplining down the mountain with Superfly. Ken has a rotator cuff injury that limits his overhead strength; however, he had no problem holding on to the handlebar. Dave had more challenges with getting into his harness and on and off the individual zipline platforms. On one platform, the staff were able to lower him directly onto a wheelchair; however, the second platform did not have a wheelchair, and it took quite a bit of effort to help Dave get his legs down and to stand up.

    To slow down as you near the end of each zipline, they ask you to spread your legs apart. This was a challenge for Dave, given his CP; however, he was able to do as instructed. I’m not sure how they handle this for individuals with less mobility than Dave. Our guides indicated that they do sometime offer fully wheelchair accessible tours, so they likely have some additional accessibility options that they did not use for Dave.

    Dave’s advice for ziplining: close your mouth. Dave found himself breathless and his theory is that too much air was rushing in his mouth when he left it wide open as he gaped at the sites.

    While the tour is normally 4 ziplines for those who can ambulate without assistance; we were limited to only 2 ziplines. In addition to the ziplines, you will also take an ATV ride from basecamp up the mountain to the first zipline and back to basecamp after the second zipline.

    I can’t say enough great things about the staff. They really figured things out on how to make this a great experience for all three of us. I was very impressed with how friendly, competent, and helpful they were.

    It is chilly on the mountain, even in July, so dress warmly, but leave your baseball hat at home as you will be putting on a helmet. Ken enjoyed a seat by the bonfire in Basecamp while we waited for our tour to begin.

    Superfly is advertised as accommodating those with mobility disabilities on the Accessibility in Whistler website; however, they no longer have accessibility information posted on their own website. I encourage you to contact them directly to discuss the mobility limitations in your group and see whether they might be able to accommodate your needs. I booked our trip well in advance and conversed with them via email to ensure that they would have the ability to accommodate Dave’s limited mobility.

    Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center

    One of the places on our itinerary that we simply ran out of time for was the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center.  The center is designed to evoke the form of a Squamish Longhouse and Lil’wat Istken and embodies the partnership between the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations.  There are hourly guided tours that include a hand drum welcome song, 15-minute film, and guided exhibit tour by Cultural Ambassadors from the Squamish or Lil’wat Nations.  

    There is a large ramp at the front of the building for accessible access. The Center is fully accessible with an elevator and clear views of the main activities for wheelchair users.  The pathways are a hard packed surface with a maximum slope of 5%.

    Peak 2 Peak Gondola

    Photo by Aditya Chinchure on Unsplash

    Year-round, but particularly in the summer time, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola is an incredible experience. Leaving from Whistler Village, you will take the Whistler Village Gondola (25 minutes) then transfer to the Peak 2 Peak Gondola (11 minutes) before coming down via the Blackcomb Gondola (25 minutes).  The entire trip is fully accessible, and they will stop the Gondolas to allow those with limited mobility to board.  The Peak 2 Peak Gondola spans the distance from Whistler and Blackcomb mountains in a 2.7 mile, 11-minute journey. Plan for the round-trip journey to take roughly 2 hours.

    The Peak 2 Peak Gondola has a glass bottom and provides a bird’s eye view of the forest.  The Gondola is fully enclosed and operates year-round.  

    While we didn’t take this trip on this vacation, Peggy and Megan previously took the Peak 2 Peak Gondola on a previous trip to Whistler.  It provides breathtaking views of the mountains, and we were even able to spot some wildlife while on our Gondola ride.

    Ticket prices vary by season and age group with discounted or free tickets for seniors, teens, and children.  Tickets do not sell out; however, during some seasons only some of the Gondolas may be available.  Operating times also vary by season.

    Hotel with a Walk In Shower

    We stayed in a two-bedroom condo at the Blackcomb Spring Suites by CLIQUE.  The suite was a two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite with a full kitchen and living room.  One room had a king-sized bed and the other was two twins.  At least one of the bathrooms had a walk-in shower.  The hotel had a pool and hot tub as well as a grilling area if you wanted to cook your own food.  It was located a little outside of the main Whistler Village area; however, it did provide a shuttle to get to the Village if you didn’t want to drive your car and find parking in town. To Ken’s disappointment, there was no air conditioning; however, fans were provided.  We did not book an accessible room at this hotel, and the toilets were a little bit lower than Dave and Peggy would have preferred.

    Photo by Mia de Jesus on Unsplash

  • Welcome to Gait to Gate Travel with the Grosenbergs! A Guide for Those Traveling with Limited Mobility

    Hi!  We are Dave and Megan, together we are the Grosenbergs, & welcome to “Gait-to-Gate Travels”!  As you may have guessed, we love to travel the world and are fortunate to take many exciting adventures throughout the US, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, & Europe.   Our blog’s name is a play on the mobility challenges Dave experiences as a result of both a lifelong cerebral palsy (CP) diagnosis, as well as a more recent spinal stenosis diagnosis that necessitated 4-level spinal fusion surgery in 2022. While it’s been an adjustment going from walking unassisted full-time, to now bringing some combination of a cane, walker, rollator, or even a wheelchair when leaving the house or traveling, we haven’t let that keep us from experiencing all of the amazing stuff the world has to offer.  And that’s the goal of our blog – to share our tips, tricks, & experiences with you to show everyone that mobility challenges should not mean getting less out of the world. All it should mean is, “Hey, maybe we’ll have to do some of this differently, but, LET’S GO!!”