Among the scenic features at Kootenay Plains are the gnarled and windblown limber pines growing on exposed rocky ridges. The name "limber" comes from the nature of the small branchlets which are usually quite flexible and can be gently bent without breaking.

Walking among these trees at Kootenay Plains helps the mind make connection to nature, body, and soul, and feel more connected to all of humanity— imperfections, traumas, and all. Trees in a forest are connected and communicate with each other through a network fungi that connect root to root—they cooperate for the benefit of their community. Humans are the same way. We grow and feel that our best connection is the community.

A long time ago, we forgot our own root system, but the process of bringing back the painful and happy memories when walking on the Kootenay Plains , should be beautiful and important.

One of the Limber Pine growing at Kootenay Plains is estimated to be about 2500-3000 years, making it the oldest living Limber Pine in the world and the oldest tree in Canada.

1. Historically, the First Nation Peoples and first Europeans have consistently used this trail. Open surroundings provide magnificent views of Front Range peaks to the east and west.

2. Guide and Outfitter working out of Banff and Lake Louise, Tom Wilson, established Powderhorn Ranch at Kootenay Plains in 1900 near the confluence of Whiterabbit Creek and

3. Northern Saskatchewan River. The site is now flooded by the hydroelectric reservoir.

4. Two O'clock Creek in summer normally is dry in the morning but in the early afternoon is full of floods. Historically, the creek’s surrounding area continues to play one of the most important roles in the history of Kootenay Plains. On June 1, 1807, David Thompson, his wife Charlotte Small and children travelled through this area and stayed for one night at this location.

5. Chief Robert Smallboy and some other 140 people left the Ermineskin Reserve at Hobbema for Kootenay Plains on July 8, 1968, to live the traditional life once again. The group lived in tents for the first few years, hunted and subsisted off the Kootenay Plains land. Chief Smallboy sought to leave behind the problems that come with alcohol and living an idle life, replacing this with the demanding physical activity that comes with living off the land. A few years after the group settled in the Kootenay Plains, road development and construction of the Bighorn Dam forced them to re- locate North to another area at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. They called the new home “The Smallboy Camp” and became an inspiration to native people everywhere in the world, to learn Native Spiritual life.

6. In 1948, seven Stoney's families were living at Kootenay Plains and the residents were known as the Wesley Band after their leader, Peter Wesley Sr., whom they called ‘The Great Ta-Otha’. The Wesley Band repeatedly petitioned the authorities for reserve land on the Kootenay Plains. The 5,000-acre, 144A Big Stoney Horn Reserve, was created in 1948.

7. This Limber Pine growing at Kootenay Plains is estimated to be about 2500-3000 years, making it the oldest living Limber Pine in the world. A core sample was taken in 1986 and the 10cm core counted 400 rings.

Lodge/Cabin

Part 1

Tour starts one hour before local sunrise during the period known as Nautical Twilight, which occurs when the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon. During this time, the sky is significantly lit by scattered sunlight, the horizon is still visible, and some of the brightest stars can be seen, making it an excellent time for stargazing and photography.

Part 2

12PM - 6 PM Private time at the lodge/cabin

Part 3

Tour start at 6pm and Ends at Dusk