![South Viewpoint
of badland basin
(10 photos for 168 kb
[including 5 NEW AND IMPRESSIVE
click to enlarge thumbnail photos])](hsmap-3a.jpg)
This is a map of Horseshoe Canyon.
Click on the area of the map or the photo you are interested in
and it will take you to a series of similar photos.
The links in the map above include:
6 great new photos: 168 kb)
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This photo was taken in the Kneehills Creek valley, located at the far north end of Horseshoe Canyon (at the top of the map). It was early spring and the creek was fairly clear. This dry land reminds me of the Australian outback. In this kind of environment, hikers really appreciate a running creek. |
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Below is a photo which shows how the Kneehills Creek Valley connects the two legs of Horseshoe Canyon. This link will give you an impressive large version of this panoramic photo (210 kb).
- north end of east leg of Horseshoe Canyon
- north end of west leg of the canyon
- west viewpoint
- abandoned railway roadbed (proposed route of Trans Canada Trail)
- east viewpoint
But if you prefer lots of badlands, try this 370 degree
panoramic view of the badland basin (196 kb)
taken from the center.
I found the view overwhelming. It was hard to comprehend until I saw this series of photos posted here together.Environmental damage:
Photos of a damaged cone shaped badland formation which can be used as a key viewepoint. Use this link to see the environmental damage (115 kb) that was probably caused by the people who climb it.
Below is another map of Horseshoe Canyon. As you see, the network of coulees, valley, and the badland basin join each other to form a natural circle.
Some day, if access was gained and hiking paths were built, on a cool and windy day a hiker could make the entire 6 hour circuit in pleasant weather, below the prairie surface.
Hikers are welcome in the part of the badland basin that is next to the South Viewpoint. Also, a mostly gravel road will take you north to the West Viewpoint, but make sure it is a dry day because near the end there is part which can get extremely muddy. While much of the land is privatly owned, the owners know it is a tourist area so they are not surprised to see tourists here and there.
The file on the east leg of the canyon describes a hike which could be about 10 kilometers, one way. It stretches from the badland basin at the bottom of the map, down the east leg of Horseshoe Canyon (on the right), through the trees, up the hill, then across the pasture to the East Viewpoint.
The rough yellow marker which runs down the Kneehills Creek valley, (across the above map at the top) is where a railway line used to run. It was rumored in 1997 that the Trans Canada trail would be built through here on the roadbed.
In 1999 there was a fence across the roadbed that runs along the bottom of the Kneehills Creek valley, and at the east end of the roadbed there was a sign on a fenced gate which said no trespassing. There are usually cows in this isolated valley that can be easily disturbed. The echo of a hunter's gun is the last thing the owners would want to hear.
Comments from Readers:
A guy named Rod and his friend hiked from the South Viewpoint
to the East Viewpoint in late May 2000. They stayed
down in the valley all the way there.
This is what he reported:We hiked the eastern leg of the canyon up till the eastern veiwpoint. A little too tricky for mountain bikes, especially without any trails. Pretty cool hike, its interesting how the valley changes from badland to meadow to forest in the span of a couple of km. Makes me wonder why some parts of the same valley are so different.
The few fences we came across were in pretty poor shape. Didnt see anyone except a lonely farmer driving his tractor in the fields. Saw a deer, and the tracks of something with big paws - maybe a big cat? Hiked above the valley on the way back, we didnt feel like bushwacking any more. Took us roughly 4 hours -
Also, I got an e-mail from a woman named Norah which shows lots of real positive enthusiasm. In January of 2002 she stated:
"Horseshoe Canyon ranks up there with one of the seven wonders. And the Passion Play is an event that should be seen by all."
As well, in late 2002 I got this message from Scott:
There are now NO BIKING signs down in the canyon.
He adds: I was aiming for the east leg, as it looked in your map like it had more forest, but I really think we ended up in the west leg. Which seemed to have quite a big forest as well !? In any case, it was very nice, saw waxwings, lots of deer prints, and some abandoned porcupine quills!"
We saw the complete rear wheel/axle assembly of an old horse-cart, it looked very old, and certainly conjured up images of an old settlers cabin nestled in the canyon.
If you have any kind of feedback,
please e-mail me. Let others learn
from your experience and observations.
SOUTH VIEWPOINT AND BADLAND BASIN | EAST LEG | EAST VIEWPOINT |
WEST LEG | WEST VIEWPOINT | KNEEHILLS CREEK VALLEY
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