This Road Trip Rocks!

Red Rock Coulee is a spectacular geological site. In my opinion, it's a must see site for anyone who loves a good rock.

It's easy to find, just turn South at Seven Persons and drive until you get to it. The last bit is a gravel road. It's not recommending in wet conditions, but is fairly easy hiking when dry. (Let's be honest, Southern Alberta rarely has wet conditions!) There are no facilities, and it can be hot and windy. So be prepared, have a hat and water. Wear proper footwear, it is rattlesnake country and the ground is silty. It moves under your feet like fine sand and could have gopher holes anywhere. 

For those adventurers who are a little less mobile, there are still fantastic views from the top. You don't have to climb down among the rocks to appreciate them. It's absolutely worth bringing the whole family. There is a picnic table at the site, but the gap in the fence for hikers is too narrow for wheelchairs or large strollers. A baby backpack would be better. The parking loop is gravel and there are no groomed trails. 

 I learned a trick years ago, while on road trips. At every stop, take a picture of the sign. Even if it's just the highway sign. That way, you know that all the pictures that follow are from that spot. At the end of a trip, the details can really blur together and this makes it easy to organize your photos.

I always found lichen growth fascinating and beautiful! Nature's graffiti artists!

Look, I'm wearing proper hiking boots this time!

At Red Rock Coulee, you feel like you could be on another planet or in a prehistoric era. There are spots, when you are down amongst the rocks, that you can see no signs of human life. Until I come around a rock, and see my Mom, she's human life!

These crazy boulders are sandstone concretions that formed in the bearpaw shale and then exposed by erosion. When you walk around them they bring to mind a geometric puzzle that can be put back together. 

Red Rock Coulee is not a huge area, and it doesn't take long to explore it. If a person was travelling a long distance, it would easy to include several destinations in one road trip. In fact, since it was rather windy and too early for our picnic lunch, we decided to check out another nearby destination. It's a place that you want to be windy! Stay tuned!