(Experience South Central Alberta

Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta / Jeremy Fokkens

Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta/ Katie Goldie Photo Courtesy of Neil Zeller @neil_zee

If you visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, 18 km northwest of Fort Macleod, your journey through the picturesque and historic southern Alberta is really just beginning.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump has an excellent interpretative centre west of Hwy 2 and is one of the world’s oldest buffalo jumps. Known for its remarkable preservation of prehistoric life, the site bears witness to the technique of harvesting buffalo practiced by indigenous people of the North American plains for nearly 6,000 years. With its elaborate drive lane complex and deep archaeological deposits still intact it was designated a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1981.

A visit to nearby Fort Macleod - located on the east/west Hwy 3 at the junction of the north/south Hwy 2 is a good next choice.

The town of Fort Macleod and historic fort site are at the roots of settlement in Western Canada. Founded in 1874 with the arrival of the North West Mounted Police, led by Colonel James F. Macleod, Fort Macleod became the headquarters of the first law and order in what then was known as the North West Territories of Canada. The area was being threatened by the disruptive and unlawful practices of the American whiskey traders who were trading deadly “firewater” for buffalo robes, wolf skins, and other items of value. The arrival of the NWMP put an end to the illicit trade within the Blackfoot, Blood, and Piegan Indian territory. While on a broader scale, the presence of the federal mounted police in the region, discouraged any thoughts by the United States of possibly annexing the Canadian territory.

To learn more, be sure to visit The Fort Museum of the NWMP and First Nations Interpretive Centre. Throughout the summer they showcase the world-renowned NWMP Musical Ride four times each day! The Fort Museum has also received numerous awards including the prestigious Canadian Signature Experience.

Travelling east from Fort Macleod, visitors brush the northern edge of the Kainai Nation which is commonly known as the Blood Reserve. It’s the largest first nations reserve in Canada which covers about 1,414 km² (approx 350,000 acres). With a population of about 12,000, the Kainai speak a language of the Algonquian linguistic group; their dialect is closely related to

those of the Siksika and Piegan. They are one of three nations comprising the Blackfoot Confederacy.

While Lethbridge is ahead on the horizon, travellers can also swing north for a stop in Picture Butte about 27 km north of Lethbridge. Known as the “Livestock Feeding Capital of Canada”, this small town is also home to the Coyote Flats Pioneer Village. The collection of history here does not simply include pictures and the items used during those times. It’s an assembly of the stories, buildings, and artifacts actually used by the region’s early settlers who shaped our history. Walk the streets and experience the history written about in books.

Agriculture is a mainstay industry of Alberta and travelling north and around the city of Lethbridge brings the visitor through the heart of what’s known as Feedlot Alley - a nickname given to a 500 km² area known for its intensive livestock operations. It’s home to over 2.3 million beef cattle as well as hog, dairy and poultry operations. Feedlot Alley produces 60 per cent of all Canadian beef.

You’ll notice in your travels around Lethbridge that you are in irrigation country. The very first irrigation systems were established with the skill of Mormon farmers who immigrated to Canada from Utah in the late 1800s. The Alberta irrigation zone covers 625,000 hectares. Although irrigation represents only six per cent of the cultivated acres, they account for 19 per cent of the agricultural production.

Continuing east from Picture Butte takes travellers through the diversified and more intensively farmed communities of Coaldale and Taber. And swinging south and west from Taber, will bring you to the town of Cardston, settled by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in the late 1800s. The Cardston LDS Temple, completed in 1923 and located on about five acres just off Main Street, is the oldest temple outside of the United States. From Cardston it is about a 50-minute drive north to Lethbridge on Hwy 5.

The city of Lethbridge offers visitors a wide range of historic, cultural and entertainment attractions. It is described as a gateway to both the Canadian Badlands to the east and the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains to the west, Lethbridge is considered a cultural centre, celebrating arts and history through festivals, exhibits and centres.

By: Lee Hart

Be sure to check their websites for current information.

Photo Courtesy of Robin Laurenson

If you’re one of the adventurous early-adapters who happens to owns a hybrid or electric vehicle, or one of the 63% who are contemplating going electric, we’ve got some good news. It is now completely possible to take that romantic weekend escape from the city to Waterton park, or pretty much anywhere in southern Alberta, without worrying about where your next plugin is going to be.

That’s thanks to the efforts of the “Peaks to Prairies” initiative, which now has a solid network of charging stations all the way from Calgary to Waterton, and throughout southern Alberta. Their expanded network now makes over 1,400 kms of highway accessible. So your next road trip can offer lasting memories because the group has made sure to site its “FLO” charging stations within walking distance of fun things to see and do.

Heading south from Calgary, you’ll find chargers on all the major highways. But for sheer scenic beauty and wonderfully sweeping driving, hit Hwy 22, the ‘Cowboy Trail.’ You can charge up in Longview, and enjoy a burger at the hotel – keep an eye out for cowboys with spurs on. Or, if you’re really lucky, maybe you can book dinner at the Longview steak house, which is considered one of Alberta’s best.

Other chargers are located at Chain Lakes Reservoir, Pincher Creek, and of course Waterton townsite. Easy peasey.

After a night or two in Waterton, where you will be thrilled to discover the quality of food on offer has risen markedly in the past few years, you can take yet another gorgeous highway to get home. Head east to Cardston – a charge plus a stop at the Remington Carriage Museum will have you really appreciating your modern transportation! Then head north to Fort Macleod for lunch on main street. From Chinese to the bakery to the new brew pub, this picturesque little town will also please the taste buds! While there, check out the Empress Theatre, one of Southern Alberta’s most-haunted sites!

If a little antiquing is your perfect end to a weekend getaway, then keep heading north to Nanton. Maybe a stop to see the Bomber Command museum and it’s amazing WWII Lancaster bomber – one of the few left in the world that still flies!

If you’d rather check out some First Nation’s history, then drive on over to Hwy 23, and head for the tipi rings alongside the highway in the river valley just past Carmangay. This sleepy hamlet also has a charger. And a side trip down Township Road 140 to the east will bring you to herds of buffalo, wind farms, and fantastic views of the mountains and fields.

Another Option: Writing On Stone

If you have an extra day to travel, Writing on Stone Unesco World Heritage Site is now in range. You can get there the back way from Waterton via Cardston and hwy 501 for a charge in Milk River, before heading further east to the park. Be sure to take one of the guided tours in to the archeological preserve as to really appreciate the rock art history, and how the NWMP fort was sited specifically to disrupt the religious significance of this area to the Blackfoot.

Hwy 4 will take you back to Lethbridge miles of lovely prairie. Overnight in Lethbridge, and enjoy a walk around Henderson Lake and maybe a sake tasting at the lovely Japanese garden.

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Destination Level 2 Station

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Photo Courtesy of Holly Heuver

Tucked away in the southwest corner of Alberta, is one of the gems of Canada’s national park system - Waterton Lakes National Park.

Established in 1895, Waterton Lakes National Park is an ideal destination for hikers, campers or anyone who just wants to relax and enjoy the scenery.

It is a unique park capturing the edge of the Alberta prairie grasslands and then within a kilometre rises to icy mountain peaks nearly 3000 m high. The three Waterton Lakes, nestling between two mountain ranges, are more than 150 m deep, the deepest in the Rockies. The northern, lower end of the main lake is in Canada, while southern, upper end of the lake is in Montana's Glacier National Park.

Oil exploration and mining were part of its early history with the first drilling rig in western Canada operating on Cameron Creek. The Western Coal and Oil Company of Vancouver were responsible for the first settlement, now the Waterton townsite. Oil and mining activities were shut down within a few years, as the park began to develop its tourism industry. In 1932, this park was united with Montana's Glacier National Park to create the world's first international peace park. In 1995 the two areas were declared a World Heritage Site based on the exceptionally rich plant and mammal diversity, and on the outstanding glacial and alpine scenery.

A visit to Waterton Lakes National Parks today offers a variety of serviced & wilderness camping opportunities, and extensive hiking opportunities among breathtaking landscapes.

The hamlet of Waterton nestled against the lakeshore, offers year-round hotel, dining, and shopping opportunities. Across the bay from the hamlet on a hill overlooking the lake is the iconic, 86 room, Prince of Wales Hotel, built in 1927 by Great Northern Railway of United States. There are a number of websites providing details on all the parks attractions, facilities and events. Visit: mywaterton.ca.

See full Map and Legend on pg 6-7

To fully experience Waterton pick up a copy of Waterton Lakes National Park or download it at ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Waterton Lakes National Park Activity Guide Waterton Lakes National Park Activity Guide Waterton Lakes National Park Activity Guide

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Rocky Ridge Country Lodge

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Toll Free 1-888-717-7770

Take a Hike

You can’t come to the park without going on at least one hike! Favourite trails include the easy and rewarding Bertha Falls, the inspiring Crypt Lake Trail for thrill-seekers, the close to town Cameron Falls, and the favourite day hike Red Rock Canyon. These hikes are just the tip of the iceberg in the park, with so many more to keep even the most experienced hiker busy.

Rent a Kayak

If you’re not into fishing, boating, or lounging on the beach, try a different water activity! Kayaks, paddleboards and canoe rentals are available right in town at Blakiston & Co. Being right in the water allows you to be fully immersed in the rugged and breathtaking landscapes of Waterton.

Visit the Red Chairs

Parks Canada installed red Adirondack chairs across the whole country and they have quickly become a Canadian staple. Waterton has five of their very own chairs at Marina Point, Birder’s pull-out, Middle Lake boat launch, and 2 along the Lakeshore Trail. If you find a chair, snap a picture and use #sharethechair on your social media feeds. Watch Some Wildlife

From the trails to the sidewalks in town, wildlife is abundant in Waterton. Bighorn sheep, deer, and other small animals can be seen wandering close to town and among the trails, while elk and mule deer are more commonly seen in the grasslands. Rarer sights include black bears, cougars, bobcats, moose, or lynx! Please remember to maintain a respectful distance when viewing all wildlife.

Try a Parks Canada Activity

Parks Canada offers free seasonal activities for all ages! These Activities include guided bird walks, campfire programs, after dark trail walks, photography lessons, discovery activities for children, and much more. Check out their website to see what they are offering when you’re in town! Visit pc.gc.ca

Remember to keep in mind that some areas of Waterton Lakes National Park remain closed due to the 2017 Kenow Wildfire, though the town remains unaffected. Always check to see what is open and available. Visit mywaterton.ca

You won’t find too many more towns in southern Alberta with a deeper connection to the beginning of white man settlement of The West and early ranching days than Pincher Creek.

Located about a 2.5 hr south of Calgary, the community sits on the open prairie just at the edge of foothills leading to the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountain range.

It was an area well used by clans of the Blackfoot, Peigan and Kootenai tribes long before white men “discovered” it in the late 1860s. It was named after an early member of the North West Mounted Police found a pair of rusty pinchers, a tool used for trimming horse’s feet, in the creek around 1874. It was believed that, prospectors years earlier, probably lost the tool.

The North West Mounted Police established a post and horse farm near a creek crossing in 1876. And when several of those constables completed their five years of service they essentially retired and remained in the area to try their hand at ranching. Thus, a settlement was started. Pincher Creek has somewhat of a bitter/sweet connection to the ranching industry. It was only because the vast herds of buffalo had virtually disappeared from the prairie landscape, that some of the early ranching interests - pushing north from the United States - ventured to bring cattle into Canada.

Finding good prairie grass and strong Chinook winds that kept the range open and free from snow, the area was regarded as good ranching country. By 1878 there were about 1,000 head of cattle in the Pincher Creek to the Fort Macleod area. The industry would continue to grow.

Today Pincher Creek is a vibrant community of about 3,600 people, with modern shopping facilities, hotels and restaurants. It’s a popular launch point for visitors heading further west for year-round recreation activities - including skiing at Castle Mountain ski resort in winter, along with camping, hiking and excellent fishing opportunities during the other three seasons.

By: Lee Hart

Learn more about services and recreational opportunities by visiting pinchercreek.ca

Paved road all the way - 10 min north on Hwy. 785 near Pincher Creek. Open 9-5 from mid-May to Sept. 1st.

Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park Table Mountain

Discover the diverse landscape of Southern Alberta across mountain ranges, badlands, native grasslands, canyons, and coulees. Walk back in history at the site of the tragic Frank rockslide, hike amongst the hoodoos along the Milk River, or experience one of the world’s most exciting trails with a boat shuttle to the trailhead in Waterton. This, and more, awaits you on your hiking tour around Southern Alberta.

Crowsnest Pass Step back in time to explore the area around the Frank Slide, Canada’s deadliest rockslide. There are options for all abilities here as you hike through and above the giant slide path.

Turtle Mountain and the area around the Frank Slide Known by the First Nations as the “mountain that moves,” Turtle Mountain is responsible for the rockslide of 1903 that buried the small mining town of Frank with over 100 million tonnes of rock. Learn more and take some short pathways at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre.

Strong hikers can hike to the north peak of Turtle Mountain in a 7 km return hike with 900+ metres of height gain. It’s also possible to follow the ridge on Turtle Mountain to reach the higher south summit where the slide began.

If you want to climb Turtle Mountain be prepared for loose scree, steep hiking, and some exposure. Hiking poles and good sturdy boots will be your best friends on this adventure along with solid route finding skills.

Castle Provincial Park Explore Castle Provincial Park, Alberta’s newest designated provincial park located near Pincher Creek.

Table Mountain rises above Beaver Mines Lake where there’s a nice campground with 5 rustic cabins and 90+ sites for RVs and tents. And some darn good fishing!

Table Mountain is a 10 km return hike with 800 m of height gain. It is a great for fit hikers who can handle a steep climb. The hike takes you to a wide flat-topped plateau where you can either go left towards the Western Plateau or right towards the true summit. Either direction provides jaw-dropping views down to the lake as you peer over the edge of sheer cliffs.

Expect some route finding and watch for trail markers through sections of loose scree. I recommend hiking poles for the steep descent along with a good pair of boots. This mountain is also very exposed along the plateau so avoid it on windy days.

Waterton Lakes National Park Discover beautiful waterfalls and marvel in the abundance of wildflowers found in this park.

Crypt Lake is rated as one of the World’s 20 Most Thrilling Trails, the Crypt Lake trailhead is reached by a 15 min boat ride across Upper Waterton Lake. Tickets can be purchased at the marina from the Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co. and it’s recommended that you get your tickets at least an hour in advance (or even the day before.)

The Crypt Lake Trail is an 18 km return hike with 700 m of elevation gain. Highlights of this hike include 4 spectacular waterfalls, a ladder climb to a 18 m tunnel you’ll hike through, an exposed ledge with cable hand line, and finally the lake itself, hidden in a hanging valley. Going further, a rough track circles the lake where you cross the US border into Montana. Expect steep hiking past the third set of falls and be bear-aware at all times. Bring bear spray, hike in a group, and make lots of noise throughout your hike.

Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park Hike through a landscape of hoodoos, coulees, sandstone cliffs, and prairie grasslands as you explore the Alberta Badlands.

The Hoodoo Trail takes you on a search for petroglyphs and pictographs etched and painted on the rock along the trail. The hike has a few with stairs and steep sections, but it’s a great trail for those camping at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park.

The 4.5 km return hike is very family-friendly, and kids will have fun scrambling on the rocks beside the trail. Note that the trail can get exceptionally hot in summer, so I recommend waking up early for this one and then spending the afternoon at the campground beach. You can also cool off by floating down the river from the campground down to the beach.

For those wanting to camp, you’ll find a great campground here with 60+ sites, some with power, two group use areas, and three canvas wall tents for comfort camping. Photos and Story By: Tanya Koob

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Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta A Family is having ice-cream at Marv’s Classic Soda Shoppe in Black Diamond.

Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta / Colin Way Couple drinking beers on the patio at Westwood.

An important gateway to Kananaskis Country, the towns of Black Diamond and Turner Valley are located right on The Cowboy Trail and are steeped in western culture. This area is surrounded by recreational opportunities and people here are wonderful hosts to weary travellers of all ages.

At the turn of the 20th century, settlers moved here because high grade coal was discovered in the area. Even though coal is no longer mined here, “the world’s largest black diamond” is displayed on Centre Avenue. Rub it for luck!

Located just 35 min southwest of Calgary, at the junction of Hwys 7 & 22, Black Diamond is just 15 min north of Longview and 5 min east of Turner Valley. The Chamber of Commerce here represents both communities, so by combining the names of the two towns, it goes by the name of Diamond Valley.

That’s how we like to refer to them, because “Diamond” may refer to the many wonderful gems you’ll find here: artwork, jewellery, gifts, hand-crafted home decor, specialty clothing and a variety of great cafes & restaurants. And the pace here is much calmer than in the big city.

Rusty Davidson has been travelling the world for over 40 years. He and his brother started importing the indigenous art styles of the Middle East, Asia, and South America before adding Teak Root furniture, colourful kites from Indonesia, Java, and Bali. Their collection is displayed at the Black Diamond Gallery. Time stands still at Marv’s Classic Soda Shop. It’s a 50s diner and authentic soda fountain. The ambience will stir the heart of any senior and all those who enjoy a handmade hamburger and home-cut fries. You may not find a better milkshake!

Don’t be surprised if you see a dozen motorcycles parked just outside of the historic Black Diamond Hotel. The owners have just finished a soul-filling ride through the amazing landscapes in the area. Now, they’ve stopped for a pint and a hearty meal.

You may notice a few changes since you were last here. The owners of The Westwood moved into the building south of the hotel. Check out their Sunday Brunch.

Karen sold the Bluerock Gallery to an employee, so we’re not seeing big changes. They specialize in high quality handmade crafts created by Alberta artists. (See page 44 for more)

Many local events in Diamond Valley are held at Millennium Park which is located in downtown Turner Valley. Come soak up the sun. For more info visit: visitblackdiamond.ca

Turner Valley is also home to several restaurants, including the Chuckwagon Cafe which has received Calgary’s Best Burger award, twice. The Chuckwagon’s Flat Iron Eggs Benedict was featured on “You Gotta Eat Here”. This cafe is a very popular spot for breakfast and lunch. American tourists love it because they’ll receive a fair exchange rate on their US dollars, too.