Summer Information For Pincher Creek In Alberta






Mar 20, 10

Pincher Creek
Alberta

Rich Western Heritage

For centuries before Pincher Creek was established in 1878, the Blackfoot, Peigan and Kootenai Nations lived in or frequented the region. The town's name supposedly came from a pair of pincers some prospectors left behind in 1868 and later found in 1878 by the North West Mounted Police. The settlement was then officially started for the purpose of breeding horses on the region's rich farmland for Fort Macleod.

Pincher Creek is currently a pioneer in sustainable wind energy, harnessing the warm Chinook winds into non-polluting, renewable energy.

Waterton Lakes

Waterton Lakes National Park covers 204 square miles of terrain. Visitors can reach the park from Pincher Creek via Highway 6. Waterton is the perfect place for backcountry recreation. With world-class hiking, the park is wonderful to explore solo or with an interpretative outdoor guide; and with over 255 km of trails ranging in difficulty and length, every hiker should find a trail to suit their abilities. Many of the scenic trails are also available for horseback riders and cyclists.

An abundance of wildlife and wildflowers can be found here and in Glacier National Park just across the boarder in Montana. The two parks joined together make up Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Waterton Lakes National Park is one of the last places in North America where grizzly bears still range on the edges of their former grassland habitat.

Anglers can't be disappointed with the 24 species of freshwater fish that swim in Waterton Lakes. Rainbow, Cutthroat, Bull, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Lake and Mountain Whitefish, as well as rare species of Deepwater Sculpin and Pygmy Whitefish flourish in the park.

The Park is the ideal place for water sports. Besides the fantastic fishing, Upper and Lower Waterton Lakes are perfect for swimming and windsurfing, or if you'd like something a bit more low-key, Cameron Lakes offers canoe and paddleboat rentals for a relaxing day on the water. This subalpine lake is also a wonderful spot to view wildlife; grizzlies are often seen roaming on the far slopes, as well as elk and 2 species of deer.

Arts and Culture

One of the main attractions is the Kootenai Brown Historical Park and Museum. The property includes the restored log cabin of George "Kootenai" Brown as well as other historical buildings. Brown was an Irish adventurer and one of the first settlers here. The historic buildings house more than 14,000 local relics, including military uniforms, jewelry and agricultural equipment.

Every July, the Children of the Wind Kite Festival fills the sky with kites and windsocks of every size, shape, and colour imaginable. The Kite Festival is only one of the many unique and enjoyable events hosted by Pincher Creek during the summer.