Pembina River Provincial Park, near Entwistle Photo: Travel Alberta |
Trail History
From Mayerthorpe to the hamlet of Alder Flats just south of Drayton Valley, the North Country is home to boreal forests, rolling cropland and some of the best forage and pasture producing land in the province. Expect to see herds of cattle, elk and bison grazing next to bobbing oil pumpjacks. And although oil and gas production is a big driver in the local economy – the giant West Pembina oilfield near Drayton Valley is Canada’s largest and most prolific – the art of cowboying is alive and well along this part of the Cowboy Trail.
In fact, the town of Mayerthorpe can lay claim to the famous Hay brothers, Denny and Rod who ranch nearby. With a total of 11 Canadian saddle bronc championships between them, the two stand little chance of being bested anytime soon. Whether you subscribe to the notion that the Cowboy Trail begins or ends in Mayerthorpe, it is probably no surprise that the town has renamed a portion of the Trail as it runs through town.
It is now officially Denny Hay Drive in honour of 2002 Olympic gold medalist, Denny Hay.
From Mayerthorpe, you can follow the Trail south to the villages of Entwistle and Evansburg, then on to Drayton Valley and Alder Flats. Along the way don’t miss the chance to hunt wild boar in a natural setting. Consider an overnight stay in a spacious log cabin complete with all the comforts of home. Then tuck into a hearty country breakfast before you move on.
In Mayerthorpe check out the Elevator Museum, the Ol’ Pembina River Ferry Crossing and the Rochfort Bridge – the longest wooden trestle bridge in the west.
Stop for a picnic at the Pembina River Provincial Park or try to find the official residence of the Town Grouch at #10 Frowning Street in Evansburg. Maybe you can spot Dippy the Chip Lake Monster, although you’re more likely to see the bald eagles, blue herons, pelicans or snow geese that frequent Chip Lake on their annual migrations.
Just off the Trail, you can check out the Breton Museum, depicting the story of the first black settlers in the area or head off to the Brazeau Reservoir and Dam, where anglers can enjoy great fishing and hikers are likely to discover wild berries in abundance.
Don’t miss the chance to visit an authentic “Old West” town complete with saloon, jailhouse, livery stable, morgue and two-storey outhouse (to name a few) or hit the trail for a steak supper ride followed by an overnight tipi adventure. There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in the North Country.
Did You Know?
According to Alberta Agriculture and Food there were 6,470,000 head of cattle in Alberta on July 1, 2007 representing 40.7 percent of the total cattle population in Canada.
Can openers, rib wrenches, hooks, diggers, hell rousers and petmakers are all slang for a pair of spurs.
Fallen Four Memorial Park - Mayerthorpe |
Settlers began arriving in this region in the early 1900s. They followed the lumbermen who had cleared much of the area’s fine timber, making way for the mixed farms that parallel the Trail. The town of Mayerthorpe, with its lone surviving country grain elevator, took its name from “Mayer,” an engineer who homesteaded close by in 1908.
Entwistle started as a railway town to transport coal from mines located at nearby Evansburg. It’s hard to imagine that the tiny hamlet was once called the “toughest town on the northwestern frontier” complete with its fair share of brothels and gambling joints. Life became considerably quieter once the coal industry petered out and large numbers of immigrants moved in from the dried-out prairies to try their hand at homesteading.
Drayton Valley was originally called Power House, but when a proposed hydro project that inspired the name was eventually abandoned, the postmaster changed it to that of her English hometown. In 1953, the discovery of the nearby giant Pembina oilfield heralded the beginning of an industry that continues to thrive along with agriculture and forestry.
Today the area extending from Mayerthorpe south to Alder Flats is home to prosperous mixed farms where you’re just as likely to see elk and bison herds as cattle grazing in pastures close to the Trail.
Drayton Valley & Area
Phone: 1-800-633-0899
Web Site: www.brazeautourism.ca
Mayerthorpe
Phone: (780) 786-2416
Web Site: www.mayerthorpe.ca
Fallen Four Memorial Park - www.fallenfour.ca
Lac Ste. Anne County - www.gov.lacsteanne.ab.ca
Bed & Bale - www.wherepathscross.com
Bed & Breakfast - www.bard6countryretreat.com
Look for our Partner Logo at all participating venues in the North Country.
- Canalta Family of Hotels
Let the Canalta Family of Hotels Be Your Guide Along the Cowboy Trail. Ramada Pincher Creek, Drayton Valley Ramada, Cochrane Super 8, Rocky Mountain House Super 8.
