Sweltering Summer day Wandering along Sheep River Alberta

What could be better on a hot and hazy day than to head out of the city (Calgary) and wander into the foothills along the winding Sheep River.  It would seem that I was not the only soul that tired of the bustle associated with the Calgary Stampede, looking for an opportunity for reflection and a little exercise.   

Some excitement involved.

The Sheep River originates in the Rockies South west of Calgary, and is accessed via the bedroom community of Turner Valley Alberta.  Following highway 22 south and taking highway 546 into the foothills and along the river.

Turner Valley is on the prairie side of the foothills, meaning that the traveller experiences the transition into the mountains.  The valley is packed with evergreen trees covered in patchwork aspens which provide golden hues amidst the green in the fall.

Mountain sheep frequent the area.

In addition to the grizzlies and moose.  I had not seen moose in Alberta until today.  The bear was munching on grasses when she wandered into my area.

Of coarse any open pasture here is occupied by the ubiquitous cows.

And the occasional cowboys.

Following the highway to its end, one finds picnicking areas along the river.  The sedimentary layers,  exposed all along the river, have been bent by the tectonic forces and exposed by the wandering river acting over the ages.  A few miles to the north and further out into the prairie are similar environments containing some of the best dinosaur bone beds in the world.

It is not always obvious why the erosion takes its "chosen" the path.  A fantastic mixture of colours, with the local camping area named after the blue.

I regretted leaving my fly rod at home.  I am sure the cool shaded pools had brook trout hiding from the sun.

All along the river one could see life, trees, flowers, grasses etc growing on any available catch point for soil.

A beautiful remote area.

With a series of water falls.

Moving to the east a few kilometres brings you to the Sheep River Falls, which could be viewed from the shore, or more directly from above.   Note the grin.

Number 2 was note quite so excited.

Going, going gone

Ok, not for long.  Here he is rolling over the second stage of the falls.

 And the third of the group.

And off they meander.

By the way, the river is glacier fed, meaning very cold.  After they left my attention turned to the various wildflowers and lichens along the shore.

I will be back to meander the shore line later in the summer.  Next time with a mountain bike.