Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
Check out the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park for an adventure closer to home. Just off the 1A Highway, between Calgary and Cochrane, are 40 kilometres of paved and shale pathways to explore with the whole family. Panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains, rolling hills and grasslands await you. Head for the shores of the Bow River, climb a path over the foothills or take photos of a train passing through the park. There is much to explore here.
Take Glenbow Road off the south side of the 1A Highway to the park. As you drive down this winding road, keep your eye out for deer.
On a sunny Saturday in January, we ventured out with the temperature just above zero, dressed in layers and prepared for a cool wind. We didn’t bring our microspikes on this trip as the main pathways are plowed during the winter.
A Bit of History First
In 2007, the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Foundation (GRPF) was created by the Harvie family to protect, preserve, and promote the conservation of 3200 acres of native fescue grasslands. The Harvie family worked with Alberta Parks to create Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park for the enjoyment and education of the public. Additionally, this large park also protects approximately 10 kilometres of the Bow River shoreline. Glenbow Ranch is an active ranch, and some areas may be closed when cattle are grazing.
Education
Education about the grasslands and this area is important to the GRPF. The Glenbow Ranch has an interpretive centre as well as many informative signs throughout the park. There are both public and school programs available for groups. Please visit their website for further information.
Our Newest Team Member
We’d like to introduce you to the newest member of Krausnick Adventures. Meet Holly. Holly is four months old and happy to be alive! Everything is exciting to her, and she found the fescue grass SO much fun. It was her first time seeing the long grass; she was like a kitten with wool. She went bonkers with excitement.
Holly is a Labrador cross. A rescue pup whom we are excited to include in our outdoor adventures.
Pathways
If this is your first visit, have a look at the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park map right near the parking lot. You can decide which path you might like to try first. We have been to this park a few times and today we decided to go to the Bow River Loop.
Fun fact: Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is an important link on the TransCanada Trail.
Tiger Lily Loop
As you start down the Glenbow Road main path, the first sign you’ll see is for the Tiger Lily Loop on your right. There is a viewpoint not far into this trek and then the path drops down into a treed area that winds down into and through the gully. This is a shale pathway, not plowed, so we recommend micro spikes in snowy weather. There are a couple of steep sections that could be slippery.
Fun Fact: You can walk from Calgary to Cochrane on the pathway system.
Glenbow Trail
For this trip, we walked past the Tiger Lily turnoff and continued down to the Interpretive Centre. If you’re here to take pictures, there are outstanding views of the valley below from this point.
As mentioned, Glenbow Trail is a long path down from the Interpretive Center and one that will have to be climbed up to leave. Keep in mind to save some gas in your tank for the trek out.
Our goal was to walk down to the intersection of Bowbend Trail and Glenbow Trail, turn left and continue to the Corrals. We hadn’t been this way before. A little further from that was the train crossing, and beyond that, the Bow River Loop.
Canadian Pacific Railways (CPR)
In 1889, CPR identified the Glenbow Valley as a place to construct a water tower. As engines were steam-powered back then, water towers had to be built at regular intervals. By 1905, the CPR had a scheduled stop for passengers and freight. Today, though there is no longer a stop, trains run regularly through Glenbow Ranch Park.
Three trains whistled through the valley during our three-hour visit.
Bow River Loop
We were only going to view this trail, hopefully from a higher vantage point, however that wasn’t possible. Then, we met a couple of joggers and their Labrador, Hudson. (Holly was thrilled.) We chatted about dogs and then they saw Char’s camera and said, “Oh the river opens up over there and it’s quite majestic.” That was it, we had to go. We’ve walked far and wide to take a picture. Onto the Bow River Loop, we went.
Our walk was beautiful and silent, save for the crunch of snow. We spotted a bald eagle flying over the river, however, we were too close to the trees for a picture. We carried on in pursuit of the open water.
From this viewpoint, we could see the river, buildings in Cochrane and the Rocky Mountains.
The Bow River Loop is divided in half. We completed the west end. The views were spectacular.
The upper part of the loop brings you close to what was the old Glenbow Store. This picture is from the front side of the store.
Fun Fact: There was a steady stream of small aircraft headed to the Springbank Airport, south of the park.
Although we saw joggers, dog walkers, families, cyclists, and those out for a stroll in the quiet beauty of the grasslands, it wasn’t crowded on the pathways. Furthermore, most times we were alone on the trail.
A Long Way Up
By the end of our day, we’d walked eight kilometres. Holly was a trooper. This had been her longest walk yet. Honestly, our hearts and souls were filled up with how gorgeous the day turned out to be.
That’s a Wrap
In conclusion, a quote from Arnold Schwarzenegger, “I’ll be back.” This park is easily accessible to us. In addition, we can spend a little or a long time exploring the pathways. There’s still so much to see. I think we hear the Yodel Loop calling. Apparently, there’s a good view from the top. 🙂
Until next time!