DVD capture

Contributed photo

Travel Directions:
From Hwy 1 (Trans-Canada Hwy), take Hwy 9 north to Drumheller and then Hwy 10 / Hwy 56 southeast from Drumheller towards Dorothy. Continue southeast on Hwy 10 to Hwy 570 East, and proceed to the yellow bridge in Dorothy. Continue past the yellow bridge 8.4 km to the turnout on the right side of Hwy 570. Look northeast, across the road, to view the Texas Highway.

[Alternately, take Hwy 1 (Trans-Canada Hwy) to Hwy 21. Go north to Hwy 564 and turn right (east). (Or, go south from Rockyford to Hwy 564 and turn left.) The pavement ends at approximately 57.3 km (Township Road 260, Range Road 182) but Hwy 564 turns left and becomes a gravel road. At the stop sign (6.3 km) turn right onto Hwy 848 North (or follow the sign to Dorothy).

Park and climb the hill on the curve at 8.3 km for an overview of Dorothy and the valley of the Red Deer River. (Beware of cactus growing on the hill!) Continue driving 0.7 km to Earl’s ditch (at 9 km), on the left side of the broken wood fence rails. Continue approximately 0.5 km and cross the yellow bridge.

At the intersection of Hwy 848 and Hwy 570, turn right (east) on Hwy 570 and go 8.4 km to the turnout on the right side of Hwy 570. Look northeast, across the road, to view the Texas Highway.

Note: Although this is a very direct way to Dorothy, some of these roads are little traveled and farm houses may be several kilometers apart. If your vehicle can't stand it, the highways through Drumheller may be a better choice.]

Remarks:
The “Entering Wyoming” and “Texas Highway” scenes were filmed from opposite directions on the same road. And opposites they truly are.

The “Entering Wyoming” landscape is one of activity and anticipation. The road sign helps; it marks an entrance, and the lively Wyoming Cowboy motif underscores the theme of action. Consider, too, this extremely wavy section of highway, one in which motion occurs not only from near to far, but up and down, as well. The truck is, quite naturally, “red-lining” it. And, in case you have not yet grown anxious enough, Jake Gyllenhaal’s gleefully pregnant “King of the Road” completes the effect. Energy and expectation are everywhere: the words, the bucking horse, the rippling road, the speeding truck, and in Jack’s song and smile.

Aptly, the “Texas Highway” scene is quite different. It consists of a terribly bland, straight road. The road goes uphill. A hillside to the rear of the shot is covered with mature grasses. The road sign conveys neither immediacy nor action, but distance. Laden as it is with contrasting imagery, it is an appropriate venue for one of Jake Gyllenhaal’s most convincing performances, one of pure grueling emotion—not a word was needed.

See also DVD Chapter 14, 01 19 35, “Entering Wyoming” Highway.

Note: To view or photograph this scene in the same light as when it was filmed for Brokeback, visit this location in mid- to late afternoon. While Hwy 570 has little traffic, if you are patient you may see a few pickup trucks pass through this location, as we did.