Escape to the Benchlands and the Waiprus Valley west of Sundre where herds of wild horses roam free in the Rocky Mountain foothills. Strong and stout, these beautiful creatures are right at home in the high country of the eastern slopes. The Boreal forrest habitat here is much like thier ancestral homeland in the Western Eurasian steppes. In the winter, they can be spotted in open areas grazing through deep snow with furry coats that make them look shaggy and unkempt in the most majestic way. Witnessing horses in the wild can have an awe inspiring effect on some observers. Horses have been more than man's best friend for thousands of years and seeing them roam free has moved some to tears.
The Southern Alberta foothills are a unique environment found nowhere else in the country. As grasslands transition to sub alpine and alpine ecozones through the beautiful aspen parkland belt from east to west, all of these unique biomes can be seen at the same time and explored individually by car, horseback or on foot. Highway 22 south of Calgary, leads to open grasslands, forested river valleys, majestic waterfalls and towering peaks of foliated metamorphic shale. The massive tectonic forces that built the rockies are laid bare for all to see in road cuts and river valleys. Wild animals make frequent appearances, especially at dusk. Hiking, sightseeing and horseback tours here are second to none and the atmosphere is positively electric. Have you ever seen as far as the eye can see?
Whether approaching via the Trans Canada highway or the secondary highway 1A, the Bow Valley is your gateway to world famous attractions and prestine Rocky Mountain splendor. Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and a hundred other beautiful resorts, restaurants and lodges await you. Your first time entering this place will be a cherished memory for a lifetime. The beauty of the Bow Valley is unparalleled.
Named for the rocky mountian sheep that inhabit this area year round, the Sheep River Valley is your best chance to spot wildlife of all kinds. Elk, Sheep, Goats, Moose, Deer, Bears, Wolves and Cougars all call this place home. Sightings are common at dusk and often during the day as well. The animal population here is very healthy and hunting is forbidden in most areas.
The majestic highwood river flows out of Kananaskis country, carving a deep valley through the shale of the eastern foothills. Waterfalls, gorges and perfect fly fishing spots dot the river from the Rockies to the plains. Stopping in Longview for some world famous beef jerky is a must for any meat lover on this tour. They really do make an exceptional Jerky that is highly prized in Alberta and is often given as gifts between locals. Beautiful Ranches and the Eden Valley reserve are set amongst stark shale foothills and grasslands. Sunset tours here can be particularly beautiful and jaw dropping pictures can be taken even from the road.
In Southern Alberta, the foothills flatten out before the Crowfoot River Valley. The plains come straight up against the Rockies here, creating an amazingly beautiful landscape and spectacular views of clouds, mountains and grassland. On clear days, you can see all the way down to Montana and wild animal sightings are common. The winds here during a chinook event create cloud formations seen only on the lee side of mountains. Ranchers here keep horses and cattle and can be seen driving herds on occasion. Some also keep Buffalo. Wild ruminants are also a common sight, including Moose, Elk, Deer and even Pronghorn Antelope. You'll want to have your camera ready as this is a surprisingly picturesque landscape, rivaling the national parks for beauty.
A natural depression on a mountainside in the Kootenay River valley creates a heart when the snow falls that is unmistakable to passers by. The drive there is uniquely beautiful in only the way Kootenay National Park can be. On the Pacific side of the continental divide, Kootenay feels different in a way that can't be easily explained by the entrance into another province. The sense of presence and beauty here is quiet and stunning in a wholly different way from Banff. Stopping for a picture with your partner is a right of passage for those passing through.
Photographers, pack your gear and get ready to be astounded. In Southern Alberta, Chinook winds create cloud patterns that can only be described as art. As Katabatic winds cascade down the eastern slopes, they create an arc of clear sky in the foothills and layered clouds to the east. These clouds are lit up with pink, orange and red hues as the sun sets, creating massive expanses of sky that appear as God's watercolour. The effect may only last an hour or so, but the sense of awe lasts a lifetime.
We have a short but spectacular fall season here in Southern Alberta. From the red and purple shrubbery in the foothills, to the yellowing Quaking Aspen and Poplar, the fall leaves are seen shining and heard rustling in the warm late summer breeze. At the hight of the Rockies, throughout Kananaskis and the National Parks, forests replete with Tamarack stand stoically welcoming another winter season, displaying a flourishing of yellow before the snow falls and their soft needles are shed for the winter.
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