Trail Riding along the Sheep River Valley Photo: Anchor D Ranch Sheep/Highwood Area Trail History In 1877, Canada signed a treaty with the Blackfoot nation, when the buffalo were almost extinct and the vast rangelands were practically empty. This opened the door for settlement of the west but they needed a source of food for the Blackfoot and the North West Mounted Police. So, to promote a ranching industry, the government offered leases up to 100,000 acres for 21 years for a penny an acre per year. The only condition was that there be one cow on every ten acres under lease. Many British and American investors were impressed with the country and the terms. In the early 1880’s cowboys began trailing big cattle herds north from Montana. They were drawn by the moderate climate and the vast rangelands along the Rocky Mountain foothills that were ideal for grazing cattle. The Sheep and Highwood valleys were the final destination for many of these herds – some of North America’s finest ranching country. The area was opened up by the “Patriarchs” – the four huge corporate ranches who at their peak controlled forty percent of the leased land in southern Alberta. They were the Oxley, the Walrond, the Cochrane and the North West Cattle Company (known for its brand, the Bar U). When George Lane took over the Bar U Ranch in 1902, the Calgary Herald wrote, “The Bar U Ranch is undoubtedly one of the most desirable in Alberta. The outfit came in among the very first, and they had their pick of the whole country, and that they made a wise selection is indicated by the fact that the ranch is recognized by cattlemen as one of the very best locations in Alberta, and that means on the entire continent, for there is no finer ranching country anywhere than right here.” The claims made by the Calgary Herald in 1902 still have merit today. This region remains some of the finest ranching country on the continent and the Cowboy Trail winds its way right through the middle of some of the best of it. All along the Trail, the hills sustain an extraordinary variety of wildflowers, birds and wildlife as you pass through a diverse landscape of montane, subalpine forest, aspen parkland and prairie grassland. It was the beginning of a cowboy culture that remains firmly rooted all along the Cowboy Trail. 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. Next door in Turner Valley get a great cowboy breakfast at the Chuckwagon Café. When in Longview stop in and load up with great tasting Longview Jerky before checking out Boot Hill Gallery’s artwork and western décor. Live entertainment at the Twin Cities Hotel includes cowboy jam sessions in the Saloon. 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. High River’s compact downtown district includes the historic train station and dining railcar at the Museum of the Highwood and its famous murals. 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. Black Diamond Bakery and Coffee Shop Cowboy Trail Sourdough Bread; Danish Rye Bread; breakfast; lunch. Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce In the foothills of Alberta where good spirits prevail and good business makes sense, the Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce is pleased to promote local businesses along the Cowboy Trail. 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.