Yes, it’s time for another BIGDoer.com movie then and now. Man, it’s sure been a while. In this one we visit a location seen in the film Brokeback Mountain, specifically Brokeback Meadows, in the real world a grassy swath on the flanks of Moose Mountain just west of Calgary. This filming site, with a bit of work, can be accessed by hiking a popular trail whose destination is a nearby fire lookout.
In the scenes used here we’re about thirty minutes into the picture. We see the two main players, Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar (Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger respectively) tending to sheep. It’s a bloody mundane and thankless job if there ever was one, even if the setting is gorgeous, bursts of hard work interspersed with looooong periods of utter boredom. It’s here that a relationship hatches between the two men.
Brokeback Mountain then and now – Brokeback Meadows: we visit a location seen in the movie. By Chris Doering and Connie Biggart (BIGDoer.com)
For this then and now, we simply picked some random samples from that chapter to use as fodder. Notice how little has changed since they shot here. Then again, here in the mountains, time tends to move differently. Of course, the producers had to make sure they left nothing behind so it was like they were never even here.
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The movie premiered in 2005, the filming taking place the year earlier. Moose Mountain was just one location in Southern Alberta used in the production. They filmed all over the region – Calgary, various parts of Kananaskis, Cowley, Fort MacLoed, Beiseker and many others.
The setting in the story is Wyoming, which Alberta does a good job of doubling for. The general topography and even that “cowboy feel”, is pretty similar between the two.
While Moose Mountain is said to be the namesake Brokeback Mountain, in some scenes a different peak, Mount Lougheed, further west, doubles for it. The odd things they do in movies. One looks nothing like the other.
If you wish to visit Brokeback Meadows, hike the Moose Mountain Fire Lookout Trail, accessible off Highway #66 in Kananaskis west of Bragg Creek. It’s a popular route and is easy to find. Refer to any number of hiking guides or better still click this link: Moose Mountain. We’ve been up a couple times. Come for Brokeback, stay for the views. The latter are stupendous and get even better as you climb above Brokeback Meadows.
We’re often asked how we line up out now shots so well (in the old days we weren’t so good). It surprises people to hear that it’s all done in-camera. We’ve developed a grid system, hard to describe really, but one that allows us line things up in a scene with a great deal of accuracy. We review the original on paper, move around until things seem to match up, and we’re done. Click! Usually we need only take three or four now photos to get it right. It’s not done in post production, which would be way easier, but zero fun.
Images from the movie are copyright Focus Features.
Thanks, such a nice setting. All of those spots are on our to-do list. Just got to get down to them at some point. No, didn’t know about that mountain. I wonder if it was in any way inspiration for the movie title?
Last up there a decade ago. Been meaning to do it again for some time but for one reason or another it took till now for that to happen. Nice hike, but best done on a quiet weekday.
This central Alberta racetrack was never a commercial operation but instead just a fun place for car enthusiasts in the area to get together. Early '70s or thereabouts and it only lasted a few years. Even thought it's been abandoned for that long, there is no doubt what was here.
You know we like the the obscure stuff and this one fits the bill perfectly. Found by accident while backroad cruising and the history comes thanks to local car guy Mike.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2022. Posted by Connie.
On top of little Myrtle Mountain in the Kimberley (BC) Nature Park.
There's some good wilderness fun to be had here and nice views as you can see, but the real reason we came is mining history. The whole area near the ski hill was extensively worked over a century ago and we were looking for evidence of this. We didn't find much in the area searched, but it's a big chunk of property and we hope to return to cover more ground again soon. Of all the subjects we cover, mining related is a favourite.
Still, it was a good hike and that can't be bad. Look to the comments for more info 👇.
Exploring nature and history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2022. Posted by Connie.
It's a strange curiosity in south Kananaskis, there on a hillside and we have no idea who created it. We asked around and no one's completely sure about its history. In the past it showed the Canada 100 logo from 1967 but in 2017 someone changed it to reflect the country's 150th.
That's our friend Emily from DanOCan.com having a look.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2017. Posted by Connie.
April 13th 2024, the Beer Parlour Project visited the Viking Hotel, Viking Alberta and it too was an awesome time. There's Rob Pohl with his curious view camera and in the other photo Chris is seen interviewing local character Doug.
The Viking dates back to the 1930s and replaced a hotel on this same lot, which had earlier burned down.
Incidentally April 13th is also Chris and my 28th anniversary. Chris said he forgot this when scheduling this but that's fine and it doesn't matter where we celebrate but that we celebrate.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2024. Posted by Connie.
April 12th 2024, the Beer Parlour Project visited the Warspite Hotel, Warspite Alberta and it was a great success. They put up our sticker and look for it if you ever drop by. This will be another chapter in what will be a multi-year adventure documenting small town hotels all over the west. We chat with owners, patrons, old timers, local characters and we learn about the building too.
It's believed this one is 100 years old in 2024 and we'll confirm details during the research phase done later.
When we're done we'll have a huge collection of digital and film photos, plus voice recorded interviews for an art exhibit and a book is likely.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2024. Posted by Connie.
This little stone house was built in the 1910s and while it's not exactly clear when last occupied, research suggests it was empty only a couple decades later. This is a dry area of the Alberta and most settlers moved out by the '30s. Trees in back were planted by the folks that lived here and there's no others around as far as the eye can see. In fact, there's nothing but natural prairie in every direction. When the word "remote" comes up, this is the place they're speaking of.
Look to the comments for more info and to see a stone smokehouse also on the property 👇
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2017. Posted by Connie.
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Any idea where all the water scenes were filmed? Lakes, rivers, streams?
Yes, we know where most of those locations are. PM us and we’ll share them with you if you like.
This film meant so much to me – and still does – and I’m very grateful to you two for your wonderful photos of various locations.
You are most welcome. We so love visiting all the locations from this movie. It’s a sense of connecting that’s hard to top.
What an awesome day this was.
With you, always!
Beautiful!
We’re blessed to have such an awesome playgound at our doorstep.
That was such an awesome movie!
No argument here. Thanks for commenting.
Chris and Connie being awesome again. They have a fantastic site.
Thank you for that fine praise, we’re humbled.
Just near the bow river west of Calgary is that right?
West of Calgary yes, but closer to the Elbow.
Nice Job.
Thank you muchly.
Thanks for this. I climbed Moose Mountain back in -09 in order to pay my tribute to Jack and Ennis. It was so beautiful and quiet up there.
Monika from Sweden
It’s a nice place to spend an afternoon. Love it up there. I can see why the movie makers picked it. Thanks Monika, have a great day!
Lovely photos and commentary! I’d love to see more of Mount Lougheed and the scene at the bridge with the Basque, also the tent site.
Did you know there’s a mountain in Wyoming named Brokenback? It’s on the west side of the Big Horns.
Thanks, such a nice setting. All of those spots are on our to-do list. Just got to get down to them at some point. No, didn’t know about that mountain. I wonder if it was in any way inspiration for the movie title?
That’s amazing! Never seen the film but have climbed Moose Mountain many times.
I guess you should watch it now. Not a bad movie and the various Alberta settings make it extra nice.
Well done. I must do this hike some day. We hike all around here but have not done Moose Mountain yet.
Last up there a decade ago. Been meaning to do it again for some time but for one reason or another it took till now for that to happen. Nice hike, but best done on a quiet weekday.