Horseshoe Canyon, Drumheller area and Horsethief CanyonDrumheller is located northeast of Calgary, in the Red Deer River valley. It is renowned for the badlands area in the river valley, and the Tyrell Museum. Along the way you will see interesting prairie scenes, and just before Drumheller you will encounter the fascinating Horseshoe Canyon. After exploring it and the museum, continue driving along the road past the museum to the Horsethief Canyon and a spectacular view of the Red Deer River, upstream from Drumheller. |
Grain Bins Horseshoe Canyon Horseshoe Canyon 2 Horseshoe Canyon 3 Horseshoe Canyon 4 Small Hoodoo
Winter - south rim Winter - west rim Prairie Grasses Wagon near west rim Horsethief Canyon 1 Horsethief Canyon 2
Hoodoos and the Aurora BorealisDrive southeast of Drumheller down highway 10 past Rosedale to go to Wayne, or continue on to where there are hoodoos beside the road. Past the hoodoos is the Atlas Coal Mine and further along is the village of Dorothy, both of which can be viewed by going to the Dorothy gallery. We were very lucky to photograph the hoodoos one night, using flashlights to "paint" light on them. As we were doing that, a spectacular Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) display occurred overhead. What incredible timing! |
Tabletop hoodoo Dave setting up Small hoodoo Two hoodoos Main formation Single hoodoo
Hoodoos at night Hoodoos at night 2 Hoodoos at night 3 Hoodoos at night 4 Northern Lights Northern Lights 2
Wayne and the Rosedeer HotelAt Rosedale you can turn west to go to the small village of Wayne. Wayne was once a thriving community due to the coal mines in the area, but now it is nearly unihabited. The main reason for going there now is to stop at the Rosedeer Hotel for a meal. This restored hotel is a reminder of the days when Wayne was in its heyday. The other interesting reason for going is that driving the 8 kilometer (5 mile) road to Wayne follows along the Rosebud River valley. In this short stretch of road there are eleven bridges that cross the river! In the summer you will also find many birds along this valley, especially bluebirds. |
The Rosedeer Hotel Bridges Birdhouses and bridge Train bridge Second bridge First bridge
The Hoodoo Trail March 2012More shots of the main feature along the Hoodoo Trail - the hoodoos themselves. Note there are now stair cases on either side of the hoodoos to try to protect them from foot erosion and also to protect people from slipping of the ground is wet. Before the hoodoos, off the main highway is the hamlet of Wayne where you will find the Last Chance Saloon. Beside the saloon were some old cars sitting in a field. Back at Rosedale there is an interesting view of the riverbank from the suspension bridge. An abandoned coal mine awaits you on the other side. Past the hoodoos is the Atlas Coal Mine where a large tiple is the main feature. Between the hoodoos and the coal mine is a relatively large side canyon that clearly displays the layers of sediment built up from ancient oceans that once flooded the land. Further along the Red Deer River from the coal mine is Dorothy. Pictures of this hamlet can be viewed by going to the Dorothy gallery. |
Overlooking the hoodoos Hoodoos main group Hoodoo at sunrise Leaning hoodoo Hoodoo in afternoon Hoodoos in winter
Last Chance Saloon Old car 1 Old car 2 Red Deer River view Side canyon Tiple and tools
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