The Squamish Estuary is located right next to the town of Squamish where the Squamish river meets Howe Sound. This area is a protected area teeming with wildlife. Within the estuary area, there is a trail system for people to walk and explore. Since the area is on flat land, the trails have minimal elevation gain. We visited the estuary back in April of 2021 and started our walk near downtown Squamish. We took the trail named the Ocean Front Loop, which follows the Squamish River, and headed towards the beach of Howe Sound before heading back on an alternate trail back to the trailhead. We did not see many animals during our walk. When we were walking next to the river, the views were also limited to nearby trees and mountains in the background. But once we reached the beach, the view opens up, and we could see a lot further. Lower Shannon Falls #820758 was clearly visible across the water from the beach. As well, the iconic great granite slabs of Squamish were standing tall across the water, behind the fog and clouds. We made our way back an alternate trail to complete the loop after hanging around the beach for a bit.

We started down a wide, flat, and well maintained gravel trail.

The trail follows the Squamish River.

Granite slabs of Squamish still visible on a cloudy day.

Continuing to follow the river. I think this might be a sub arm and not the main arm of the river.

Continuing on trail towards the beach.

Someone made a bench out of logs for people to rest and take in the view.

A small dock on the river. This section is very close to the beach and the waterflow is quite slow.

Reaching the beach. A large dead tree casually sitting in the sand.

The view opens up a lot once we reached the beach.

Someone lay these stones into this pattern / formation. I had no idea what it means or what it was used for. Maybe it's just for fun, or maybe it's for some sort of ritual.

Lower Shannon Falls visible across the water.

Gigantic granite slabs of Squamish. One of the reasons why Squamish is a very popular place for outdoor rock climbing.

We were just chilling at the beach. Walking on logs and enjoying the views.

Leaving the beach and heading back to the trail.

The trail passes by this person's house. Interesting sign.

Armchair carved out of a tree stump. Also plenty of seats surrounding a fire pit. Pretty cool.

Stats of the walk.

Check out my previous hikes:

1. The Panoramic Views of Panorama Ridge
2. The Golden Larches of Frosty Mountain
3. The Winter Snow of Pump Peak at Mount Seymour
4. Sapphire Waters and Azure Skies of Battle Bluff
5. It Isn't Always Sunshine and Blue Skies
6. The Frozen River and Waterfalls of Maligne Canyon
7. The Amazing Arches of Arches National Park
8. The Bizarre Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park
9. The Magnificent Stones of Zion National Park
10. The Flowing Walls of Lower Antelope Canyon
11. A Glimpse of Hope at the Hope Lookout Trail
12. Turquoise Waters viewed from Sea to Summit Trail
13. The Three Peaks of Mount Seymour
14. The Serene Winter Scene at Dog Mountain
15. Murrin Loop and Jurassic Ridge
16. Yosemite National Park
17. The Bear's Hump at Waterton National Park
18. Views of Okanagan from Pincushion Mountain Trail
19. The Half Frozen Waterfalls at Franklin Falls
20. Hole in the Wall of Vancouver Island
21. Sometimes You Just Get Lucky
22. Winter Wonderland at Alexander Falls
23. Eagle Bluffs
24. Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park
25. Admiralty Point
26. Myra Canyon Trail
27. Garabaldi Lake
28. Botanical Beach Loop
29. Wild Pacific Trail Lighthouse Loop
30. Whistler Train Wreck Trail
31. Grouse Grind
32. Crown Mountain
33. Chance Cove Coastal Trail
34. Big Four Ice Caves
35. Stawamus Chief First Peak
36. Four Lakes Trail at Alice Lake Provincial Park
37. Four Lakes Trail Winter Revisit
38. Lindeman Lake Trail
39. Malcolm Knapp Research Forest
40. Steelhead Falls
41. Cascade Falls
42. Dawson Falls
43. Bridal Veil Falls
44. Kay Falls and Bear Creek Falls
45. Lions Bay Loop and Crystal Falls
46. Overlander Falls
47. Flood Falls
48. Marymere Falls
49. Johnston Canyon Lower Falls
50. Elfin Lakes
51. Gold Creek Lower Falls
52. Nairn Falls
53. Lower and Upper Shannon Falls
54. Brandywine Falls
55. Mamquam Falls
56. Cliff Gilker Park Waterfalls
57. Snoqualmie Falls
58. Norvan Falls
59. Niagara Falls and Trestles at Goldstream Park
60. Niagara Falls
61. Ptarmigan Ridge
62. Chain Lakes Trail
63. Cambie Creek Loop
64. Mushrooms of Norvan Falls Trail
65. Cheakamus Lake Trail
66. Panorama Ridge via Helm Creek Trail
67. Saint Mark's Summit
68. West Lion
69. Elk Mountain
70. Quarry Rock
71. Bowen Lookout winter trail
72. Black Tusk and Garabaldi Lake
73. Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
74. Smoke Bluffs Loop
75. Dog Mountain Autumn Revisit
76. Lake Louise Fairview Lookout Trail
77. Pitt-Addington Marsh
78. Mount Revelstoke National Park
79. Joffre Lakes
80. Crippen Regional Park and Killarney Lake