FARM LIVING THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JUNE 12, 2014 21

TRAVEL | Red Rock is geological gem

and tossed a large handful of marbles TALES FROM THE ROAD over the edge, some remaining intact and rolling to the bottom while others shattered on their way down. Walking into the valley is like enter- ing another world or stepping onto the surface of the moon or Mars. While rock-strewn are not ARLENE & ROBIN KARPAN uncommon, this one is eerily differ- ent because of the consistent shape of many boulders, their sizes and tanding on the valley rim, we brilliant colour. peer into a rugged coulee of Several are almost perfectly round, Sbadland formations. Between but flattened on the top and bottom, the eroded slopes, native prairie cov- like curling rocks or hamburger buns. ers the undulating treeless landscape have formed in many where wildflower blossoms vie for parts of the world, but the ones here space among the needle-and-thread are considered some of the biggest grass, sagebrush and junipers. anywhere and among the most flashy. What really grabs our attention is Many rocks have cracked open, the sea of scattered curling rock- some of the breaks so straight that shaped boulders, most a dazzling they seem to have been cut by a preci- reddish-orange. Many are massive, sion instrument. Inside, we can some- up to 2.5 metres across, and are times see concentric circles, some- thought to be some of the largest of what like the growth rings on a tree their kind anywhere in the world. trunk. The colour goes right through Remarkably, these strange rocks got the rock, caused by iron oxide that was so big by growing. part of the rock formation. The surface Red Rock Coulee lies hidden in of many boulders is further enhanced ABOVE: Concretions lie scattered southeastern Alberta, about 50 by wildly colourful lichens. amidst undisturbed prairie kilometres from . Cov- While the unique rocks are the throughout the valley floor in ering 800 acres, the crown land is main feature of the coulee, this is also southeastern Alberta’s Red Rock designated as a natural area by an oasis of relatively undisturbed Coulee. Alberta Parks. natural prairie. It’s a great spot for LEFT: Gumbo evening primrose This is a low key park, with a parking wildflowers such as crocus in the grows at the base of one of the area, some basic signage and little spring and a variety of blooms concretions. else for facilities. Though a geological through the summer like prickly pear wonder and a scenic gem, Red Rock and pincushion cactus. BELOW: Red Rock Coulee Coulee isn’t widely known and A specialty is gumbo evening prim- covers 800 acres of crown land doesn’t get a lot of visitors. Don’t be rose, which likes to grow on almost in southeastern Alberta. The surprised if you have the whole place bare patches of clay. boulders are millions of years old. to yourself. Grassland birds such as meadow- | ARLENE AND ROBIN KARPAN PHOTOS The round boulders are concre- lark, horned lark and prairie falcon tions, formed millions of years ago are often around. This is also rattle- when sand, calcite and iron oxide snake country so be careful stepping formed and hardened around small over rocks or walking through tall nuclei such as leaves or bones. Over grass. time, swirling water added more deposits, which stuck to the forma- Getting there tions and made them larger, like layers on an onion. The resulting boulders Head southwest of Medicine Hat on became harder than the surrounding Highway 3 to Seven Persons, then material, so when carved the travel south on Highway 887 for coulee, the softer material washed about 26 kilometres to where the away, leaving the red rocks exposed. highway turns east. A sign near the Torrents of water from retreating curve directs you to a short access glaciers pushed some of the mon- road to the site. sters down to the valley floor, while Arlene and Robin Karpan are well-travelled leaving others along the slope. writers based in Saskatoon. It’s as if a giant stood on the valley rim Contact: [email protected].

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