RANCH & HOSTS

Nestled at the base of the majestic Canadian Rockies in southwestern Alberta is a working cattle ranch called Lonesome Pine Ranch. It's where the prairies rise up to meet the rolling foothills and continue on to the pristine mountains. Here you may find cowboys on cattle drives and round-ups, branding, rodeoing or going for a leisurely horseback ride.

Lonesome Pine Ranch is a cow/calf operation with yearlings that are trailed to the near-by Bow Crow Forest reserve for the summer months. Sierra West Cabins & Ranch Vacations is a division of Lonesome Pine Ranch and has three log cabins set on the banks of Todd Creek and have now built a small town. "Cowtown" complete with the Longhorn Saloon (meeting house), Cantina and 3 Bunkhouses have been added to accommodate more guests and larger groups.

While at Sierra West, guests can experience various activities of the Alberta Cowboy's way of life from a cattle drive to trail rides, gymkhana events, cattle sorting and more all within the breath taking scenery of the Canadian Rockies. Enjoy the fresh mountain streams, big blue skies and the unending scenery. Roping & riding enthusiasts can enjoy the large outdoor arena whether you choose to bring your own horse & tack or use theirs. Your hosts of Sierra West Cabins & Ranch Vacations are Randy & Ginny Donahue. Both have been born in southwestern Alberta and raised with the ranching way of life. Randy moved into the area in 1973 and has been actively ranching on this spot since 1979. The horse industry has always been a way of life for him from being stock rider in the Bow Crow Forest reserve in 1973 & 1974 to President of the Northfork Livestock Cattle Association. He has rode bareback and bulls in the rodeos and became a 4H Rodeo Horse Club leader in recent years. He has always raised and broke a string of quarter horses, which is very evident on the ranch today.

Ginny being born a ranchers daughter was raised riding horses and handling stock. She was a professional photographer for twenty years and has since retired other than covering the events held on the ranch, scenery shots and western stock pictures.

"We welcome you to our ranch, our adventures and to enjoy & explore our part of the beautiful Southwest Alberta in the Canadian Rockies"