Chapter 5 - Forty Winks - 00 23 22

00 23 22
DVD capture
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Contributed photo
DVD Time Code = 00 23 22
Location: Hwy 66, Moose Mountain
GPS:   50d 56m 23.64s    -114d 48m 37.26s
Map / Satellite Image: Google Link
Site Name: Sheep Procession #2
 

Travel Directions:
From Hwy 1 (Trans-Canada Hwy), take Exit 161A “Bragg Creek Rd / Hwy 22.” Go south on Hwy 22 approximately 17.4 km to the 4-way stop in Bragg Creek. (Do not follow the “Bragg Creek West” sign.) Turn left at the 4-way stop (continue on Hwy 22) and go 3.4 km to the “T” intersection of Hwy 22 and Hwy 66. Turn right (west) onto Hwy 66 and go approximately 13.9 km to Moose Mountain Road. Turn right (north) onto Moose Mountain Road and follow it 7.0 km to the well-marked trailhead. The trail begins in the trees at the green vehicle barrier, located on the south side of the parking area. The site is about 0.5 km beyond the tree line to the north (right). (Note: Moose Mountain Road is unmarked; it is just west of the “Paddy’s Flat” sign on Hwy 66.)

The Moose Mountain summit is 7.1 km from the parking area and trailhead, gaining 477 m (1,565') in elevation. Allowing time to explore filming locations, budget a total of 4 to 5 hours for a rewarding hike to and from the vast Moose Mountain meadows, where several sheep herding scenes were filmed. Mornings generally provide the most reliable weather conditions. See:

http://www.braggcreek.ca/kananaskis/trails/moosemtn.htm

http://www.braggcreek.ca/kananaskis/trails/moose_prairie.htm

http://www.braggcreek.ca/kananaskis/outdoor.htm

The hike to the meadows is a moderately strenuous ascent. Though no filming took place above the meadows, the adventurous may wish to keep climbing to the summit using a series of switchbacks leading to a fire lookout station. Budget approximately 50 minutes for the final ascent, along slippery shale surfaces.

Remarks:
The fact that Brokeback was a “gay cowboy movie” was not the only thing that got in the filmmakers’ way. After the cast and funding were in place and plans had been made to use hundreds of sheep, the producers learned that domestic sheep carry bacteria, Pasteurella, that can readily devastate populations of wild cloven hoofed animals. See:

http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/range456/hot-topics/wildlife-livestock.htm

Having suffered problems with other film productions where a single domestic animal escaped and caused a widespread epidemic, Provincial wildlife authorities refused to permit the use of a herd of domestic sheep in such vulnerable natural areas.

Although it was possible to use clever editing to work around their sheep problem, Lee insisted upon authenticity. Lawyers and biologists spent months in negotiations to secure permission to use domestic sheep in the Moose Mountain and Stoney Reserve locations. In the end, the filmmakers agreed to overlay the natural grass with panels of grass-covered plastic, so that the sites would remain uncontaminated.

Important:
Vehicle access to the trailhead and parking area is subject to seasonal closure, usually opening in mid-May and closing after Canadian Thanksgiving (the second Monday in October). Note: For intermediate and experienced hikers. Wear hiking boots. Take ample water and protective gear. Never leave valuables in a car at trailheads. Use caution; bear activity is common in this area, and in all mountain locations. See:

http://srd.alberta.ca/RecreationPublicUse/AlbertaBearSmart/BearsOutdoorRecreation.aspx

Always consult park wardens and take appropriate precautions.

Pictures of surrounding area:

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www.FindingBrokeback.com

  Revised 29 December 2014