           
 |
Trail Riding along the Sheep River Valley
Photo: Anchor D Ranch |
Black Diamond and Area
Trail Talk
Black Diamond, at the junction of Highways 7 and 22, offers visitors one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world. With majestic Rockies, mountain-fed rivers, lush rolling hills and open prairies, the view
is panoramic and the possibilities are endless. Visitors can enjoy the arts and experience a piece of Alberta history not found anywhere else. Must do activities include getting Marv to sing you a song at his Classic Soda Shop counter, checking out the bikes outside the Black Diamond Hotel and selecting a Danish rye bread from the Black Diamond Bakery.
Park and take a self-guided walking tour of Black Diamond’s Historic Main Street to brush up on some interesting Alberta history. Each restored building has a plaque mounted on it's outside wall recapping it's history. Most of these buildings are operational as vibrant businesses with friendly merchants and an array of treasures to be found.
The Giant Black Diamond Monument & Restored Coal Cart is a monument paying homage to the town's coal mining history. It is open year round at no cost and is located at the Town of Black Diamond Municipal Office, which provides visitor information weekdays 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Whether you're just driving through or staying for an extended visit, Black Diamond offers a place to explore nature, enjoy the arts and experience a piece of Alberta history that you won't find anywhere else. The Sheep River valley west of Turner Valley and Black Diamond is a great drive and provides easy hiking along the rim of the shale stone canyon that provides a unique habitat for its namesake, the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep.
From trail rides west of Turner Valley with Anchor D Guiding and Outfitting to music festivals, hiking the Rockies to camping under the stars, Black Diamond welcomes you to explore and discover what makes the area such a distinctive place.
History
In the early 1880s cowboys began trailing big herds north from Montana and Idaho. Much of the area from Bragg Creek all the way south to the Porcupine Hills was the final destination of these huge herds – some of the finest ranching country in North America.
Here you can ride with the best of them, trailing cattle into the backcountry and eating your grub over a campfire. Then bed down in your snug and cozy tent camp after a hot shower. Some outfitters even use authentic covered wagons to transport supplies as you move deep into the mountain wilderness.
Or maybe you prefer your beef on a platter and your horses seen from a safe distance. Maybe you prefer the comfort of a bed and breakfast or a cozy log cabin with all the amenities. No matter. There’s plenty to choose from as you journey along the eastern slopes of the mighty Rockies.
The Black Diamond area has a little something to offer everyone. To the west of The Cowboy Trail is the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies. It is a perfect setting with glorious mountain panoramas, wildlife and flora. Explore this pristine wilderness any time of the year. Travel east and you’ll find yourself in Okotoks and Calgary, one of the fastest growing areas in Alberta.
Did You Know?
The Bar U can boast many famous and sometimes infamous visitors. Not only did the Prince of Wales and western artist Charlie Russell make the guest list, Harry Longabaugh (aka the Sundance Kid) actually worked on the ranch as a horse breaker. He was well liked and called a “thoroughly likeable fellow” before he headed south to continue his life of crime.
Around Town
The Sheep and Highwood valleys south of Calgary link together the towns of Okotoks, High River, Black Diamond, Turner Valley and Longview. Each town has a unique and colourful downtown Main Street, be sure to stop and enjoy some of the great food, art galleries and shops along the way.
Must do activities include getting Marv to sing you a song at his Classic Soda Shop counter, checking out the bikes outside the Black Diamond Hotel and selecting a Danish rye bread from the Black Diamond Bakery.
When in Longview stop in and check out Boot Hill Gallery’s artwork and western décor. Boot Hill also has a sister shop in Okotoks with more furniture and fashions. Okotoks has a cornucopia of fine dining options including Provence, Italian, Greek, Lousiana and Canadian.
Side Trails
The Sheep River valley west of Turner Valley is a great drive and provides easy hiking along the rim of the shale stone canyon that provides a unique habitat for its namesake, the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. In late fall you can hear and might even see the rams battering heads in the wildlife sanctuary.
From Longview, summer travelers can head west on Hwy 541 connecting to the Kananaskis Valley over the Highwood Pass on Hwy 40, Canada’s highest mountain highway. The spectacular mountain geology on this route showcases the bending and thrusting
of the earth’s crust.
Did You Know?
Christ Anglican Church was built in 1896 with vertical unpeeled logs, which were not expected to last very long. The church has so far beaten the odds. It is still active and can be reached by taking a slight detour off the Cowboy Trail on Secondary Highway 549.
Did You Know?
John Ware was a former black slave who arrived in Alberta with a cattle drive from Idaho. Ware’s integrity and unmatched work ethic eventually earned him the position of top cowhand for the Quorn Ranch before he bought his own spread on the north fork of Sheep Creek near Millarville.
Town of Black Diamond
Phone: 403-933-4348
E-mail: info@town.blackdiamond.ab.ca
Web Site: www.town.blackdiamond.ab.ca
Okotoks
Phone: 403-938-3204
Email: visitorinfo@okotoks.ca
Web Site: www.okotoks.ca
Look for our Partner Logo at all participating venues in the Sheep/Highwood Area.
- Anchor D Guiding & Outfitting Ltd.
Horseback getaways for just about everyone. Located near Turner Valley.
- The Bar U Ranch National Historic Site of Canada
Commemoration of the contribution the ranching industry has made to the development of Canada. Located south of Longview, on the corner of Highways 22 and 540.
- Bernie Brown’s Boot Hill Gallery & Gift Shop
Experience Canadian Western Art at its Finest. Located in Longview and Okotoks
- Black Diamond Bakery and Coffee Shop
Cowboy Trail Sourdough Bread; Danish Rye Bread; breakfast; lunch.
- Diamond Willow Artisan Retreat
A get-away destination just 1 short hour south of Calgary in Alberta's lovely foothills.
- Marv's Classic Soda Shop & Diner
Authentic Soda Fountain and 50s Diner. Retro gifts and souvenirs. Ice cream cones, sodas, shakes and delicious, frosty malts.
- Town of Okotoks
Look around. Mountains and prairies, forests and wildlife, courteous and spirited people, historic and cultural attractions. You've found Okotoks, in the heart of foothills country.
|
|
