What better way to spend Canada Day than to explore a park that distinctly looks nothing like what one might imagine when thinking “Canada”? Horseshoe Canyon is a desert-like delight in the middle of the Canadian prairie. It is considered part of the “Bad Lands” here in Alberta, a canyon that has been carved out over eons by water and wind. The various layers of soil that make up the region can be easily seen, including the distinctive black coal seams that give the canyon walls a distinctive striped pattern.
Possibly due to a higher amount of rainfall this year than normal, the flower bloom appeared to be in a full and mighty swing, particularly the Prickly Pear cacti with their distinctive yellow flowers that resemble big, golden crowns. Prickly Pears are seldom seen anywhere else in Canada. The unique flora and landscape of the region add accolade to Alberta’s reputation for beautiful and varied nature escapes.
The day was good and hot, and the trail was not nearly as crowded as I thought it might be, especially when we decided to hike deeper into the canyon on one of the many routes you can take on its spiderweb of trails. Access to the canyon is available from a steep staircase situated a short walk from the parking lot.
A cold beer from the nearby brewery in Drumheller and then lunch at the legendary Last Chance Saloon in Wayne was much appreciated at the end of the day.
