Elbow Falls |
Trail History
In 1881 the Marquis of Lorne, The Governor General of Canada at the time, visited the Elbow valley and sketched the Mount Glasgow-Banded Peak group. Alberta is named after his wife, Princess Louise Alberta.
Now heavily forested with spruce, pine, and aspen, Bragg Creek was open meadow and flats when the first settlers arrived in 1885. Fire and buffalo grazing had stripped the trees from the land, making it attractive for settlers but many moved on when they discovered that early frosts and snowy winters left little food for their livestock. One man lamented that he could not feed his family on scenery.
Bragg Creek is a climatic anomaly along the southern half of the Cowboy Trail, that is more akin to Sundre and Rocky Mountain House with its cooler climate and heavy snows. The dense evergreen forest attests to the effect that the nearby mountains have on this area.
In 1894 two boys, Warren Bragg aged 17 and John Bragg aged 12 ran away from home in Nova Scotia over a disagreement with their new, very young step-mother. The boys settled along the Elbow River and made a homestead application but left a few years later when they got homesick. However, both boys returned to Alberta and ranched in the Rosebud district. When A.O. Wheeler surveyed the area, the community had been named after the Canadian Tom and Huck adventurers.
Dr. George Ings prospected this area in the 1890s. He mined a thousand tons of coal at the base of Moose Mountain near the ice cave. Natural gas spewing from springs fueled expectation that oil was closeby. In 1913 the “Mowbray-Berkeley” oil well was drilled and operated for three years before being shut in. A number of wells were drilled over the next 70 years looking for oil but could only find natural gas which was not commercially viable until Shell and Esso developed the Moose Mountain and Quirk Creek fields in 1985.
Around Town
Bragg Creek has a long tradition of day trips for Calgarians and today it includes unique shops, pleasant walks and hikes, great restaurants and outdoor adventures. Enjoy strolling around the interconnected covered shopping district that boasts great western art and fashion. Continue west along the paved sidewalk past homes and restaurants to the historic Bragg Creek Trading Post. Barb continues to run an old fashioned store that provides native handicrafts, treats and mercantile goods.
The pathway west continues along the Elbow River to Bragg Creek Provincial Park for another 1.5 km where you can enjoy a pleasant picnic listening to the river. When you head back to town stop in at Madrina’s for a fine Italian meal on the patio or enjoy alpine cuisine at the forest edge at the Bavarian Inn.
The Upper Elbow General Store was built by Guy Coates in 1925 and operated by his wife, Tina, until 1940, when it was sold to Jack Elsdon who renamed it the Trading Post. Mr Elsdon delivered mail from Calgary to all the homes along Hwy 8. The store is now run by his daughter Barbara Teghtmeyer.
Side Trails
Bragg Creek is the jumping off point for exploring the upper Elbow River valley in Kananaskis Country. Head southwest from the townsite on Hwy 66 to see Elbow Falls and enjoy the foothills and mountain scenery. There are a number of great hikes that can be adopted into mountain scrambles and ridge walks. Check on hiking, biking and equestrian trails at the information centre.
Northwest of town is the x-country ski area that has numerous trackset loops and south of town is the Mclean Creek offroad vehicle area. Hwy 762 is another option heading south from Bragg Creek that heads down to Millarville on the way to Turner Valley. It’s a great route that winds through the foothills before coming out on the Three Point Creek road.
Bragg Creek
Phone: (403) 949-0004
Web Site: www.braggcreekchamber.com
Look for our Partner Logo at all participating venues in the Cardston Area.
- Bavarian Inn Restaurant
We invite you to join us for an unforgettable dining experience. Located in Bragg Creek
- Bragg Creek Trading Post Ltd.
Historic General Store/Trading Post. Located in Bragg Creek.
- Inside Out Experience
Whitewater Rafting, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding, Combination Tours, Wilderness Survival, Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing and Team Building. Tours can be customized.
- Moose Mountain Adventures
Outfitting and horseback adventures in Kananaskis Country and southern Alberta.
Located on Hwy 762, 13 km S of Bragg Creek.
- Rodeo Drive - Western Lifestyle
Men’s and Ladies Apparel, Home Décor and great gift giving ideas just 20 minutes west of Calgary in the beautiful Hamlet of Bragg Creek
- Spirits West in the Bragg Creek Shopping Centre
Enjoy a true Adventure in spirits shopping! Located in Bragg Creek.
