On Top of the World at the Suspended Glass Platform in Perce, Quebec
Volume5-This Was the Highlight of Our Last Day in Quebec
Welcome back. Our last day here in Perce, Quebec was a good one. The weather has held during our visit. Generally it was sunny with temperatures in the low to mid 60s. Today was a great day to explore the suspended glass platform.
Yup. You read correctly. A platform suspended from a mountain with a glass floor at the very end! At an elevation of about 2000 ft overlooking Perce and the ocean!
A Nice Surprise Awaited Us
I hope you have enjoyed my articles regarding our 40th wedding anniversary celebration trip. Yesterday I wrote about discovering a distillery in an old church and also a microbrewery:
We also went on a wonderful boat tour a few days ago:
When we arrived here in Perce, we had no idea that this platform existed. On Monday morning, while walking downtown looking for the ticket office for the boat tour, we could see two towers up on the mountain. Actually, a platform and a tower.
After asking around, we learned that these were part of the National Park. We also gad to ask how to get up there and other details.
Turns out the platform is part of a Geoparc here in Perce. We eventually located the main building, the location of which doesn’t seem to be well marked. We saw no signs from the Main street in town; it is located about an eighth of a mile up a side road.
Up the Mountain We Went
This morning we bought tickets for the shuttle van that goes up to the platform and also tickets to actually walk onto the platform. Turns out you can’t drive your own vehicle up the mountain, unless you feel like paying a $300 fine!
Turns out that is a good thing! The road is gravel, steep, and very rough! We had the shuttle to ourselves as we were the first ones up the mountain. The driver was pleasant and gave us a lot of information.
Once at the top, we were greeted by another National Park employee who gave us the run down on the platform. She explained that once we walked out to the end which has a glass floor, that we had to take off our shoes.
This seemed a little strange but her explanation made perfect sense. The reason is to prevent scratching of the glass. During the summer, there are many visitors and dirt and stones caught in sneakers can do a number on the glass.
She further explained not to be concerned about the cracks and missing pieces of the glass floor. Do I have your attention lol?
The floor is covered with a plastic protective covering which by the end of the season becomes scratched and beat up. Each season they replace the covering. A great idea.
The platform is amazing and the view is stunning. The platform is quite long, it extends out probably close to 10o feet. The beginning of the structure has built in benches and tables for those who bring a snack, lunch, or just want to sit and enjoy the view.
We spent quite a bit of time taking in the scenery. So relaxing and peaceful. The platform actually moves up and down slightly by design. By the looks of the construction, it isn’t going anywhere.
Following is a cool video of the construction of this wonderful attraction:
Oh, There’s Also a Zip Line
Nope, we didn’t go on this! Previously I mentioned that was a tower near the platform. This is the landing point of the zip line that starts from the platform.
The zip line is about 700 feet long and the riders reach a speed of about 30 mph. I don’t think we can muster the courage to try this ; maybe if we were younger.
The platform was opened in 2017. It took almost a year to finish. Of course up here the winter is long.
Tomorrow Starts The Trip Home
Unfortunately, it’s time to head for home. We will split the journey home into 3 days as opposed to 2 days on the way up. Stay tuned for more updates. Perhaps we can squeeze a surprise or 2 into the trip home.
