Abraham Lake, Alberta
Fun Facts
It was artificially created because of the Bighorn Hydro Plant!
In the late 1960's, the former "Calgary Power Company" (now know as "TransAlta") saw potential for harnessing the flow of the North Saskatchewan River for hydroelectricity. Their idea became a reality in 1972 when the Bighorn Hydro Plant was completed and is still one of the largest producers of hydroelectricity in Alberta.
Although the planning of the Bighorn Dam had good intentions to produce power for many surrounding households; a proper environmental evaluation was never completed before the start of construction. This lack of planning resulted in the flooding of the surrounding plains causing a detrimental effect to the wildlife and people living in area. Many of the Nakoda-Stoney First Nations people suffered devastation because the water ended up flooding their cabins, grave & ceremonial sites as well as their pastures when construction started in the late 1960's. For us, that is troubling to think about and our hearts go out to all the people, animals, and vegetation who suffered from the lack of proper planning.
For anyone who may be wondering, the Bighorn Dam produces over 400 million kilowatts of clean hydroelectricity per year. Since the average Canadian home produces 11,000 kilowatts of power per year, this dam alone has the ability to power over 36,000 households annually.
Named after a Nakota-Stoney First Nations local!
During the final stages of the Bighorn Dam construction in February of 1972, the Government of Alberta held a contest to name this newly developed man-made lake.
Students from all over Alberta submitted their ideas and had to be based off the historical significance, geography, prominent people, and topography of the area.
The Government finally came to a decision and decided the lake was to be named after Silas Abraham who was a local Nakoda-Stony First Nations man. Originally from Morley, Alberta, he was a resident of the area who used these foothills of the Rocky Mountains for hunting, farming and guiding newly arriving pioneers around the area in the early 1900's.
Not only did the Government of Alberta name the lake after Silas, they also decided to name a stunning 2820-meter (9250-foot) mountain after him as well which is located on the west side of the lake.
Abraham Mountain is absolutely magnificent in our eyes and a sight to see anytime of the year!
Photo: Silas Abraham (c.1870-1964) - Glenbow Archives NA-7-177
The "Bighorn Dam Incident"
August 24th,1969 was a day that changed five Albertan men's lives forever after witnessing one of the most significant "Sasquatch" sightings recorded in Albertan history.
As the story goes; two men by the names of Harley Peterson & Guy L'Heureux were working on installing a foundation for a pump during the construction of the Bighorn Dam. As they were working, they looked up and noticed a large apparition on the ridge above them causing the men to stop dead in their tracks. This apparition was reported to be a very large, dark, upright creature standing there looking down watching Harley & Guy work.
It was reported that the creature stood there for 30 minutes watching Harley & Guy before it decided to sit down on the ridge. By that time, three other men came over (who were also working at the site) to get a closer look at what Harley & Guy were seeing. Dale Boddy, Stan Peterson & Floyd Engen confirmed the creature was indeed real and watched in awe for roughly 10 mins before the creature stood back up. The enormous creature just stood there for another 15 minutes watching the five startled men before it walked off and disappeared into the tree line on the ridge.
Two out of the five men decided to hike up to where this creature was to see if there were any footprints or if it had left any other evidence behind for documentation purposes. As the other three men watched their two fellow co-workers search along the ridge, a realization came over them that sent chills down their spine. After comparing the height of the two men up on the ridge to the trees behind them, they realized that the creature they all saw was without a doubt between 12 to 15 feet tall.
To this day, the "Bighorn Dam Incident" is one of the largest Sasquatch sightings ever reported in North America and many other sightings have taken place around the area over the past 40 years. These sightings included footprints ranging from 15-18 inches long, physical appearances of a tall upright creature watching locals on their homesteads and findings of fur samples around the area.
A frozen bubble phenomenon happens every winter!
Every winter, Abraham Lake produces a beautiful natural phenomenon worth seeing! It is recommended to visit the area from late January to early February for those who are looking to take in the best views of these frozen bubbles.
Wondering how this phenomenon occurs? As the water starts to freeze; decaying plants, animals and trees on the lake bed release methane gas bubbles that are attempting to make their way to the surface. The gas bubbles journey is cut short due to the top layer of ice that has formed from the freezing temperatures. The methane bubbles then end up becoming trapped and suspended under the ice eventually forming this magnificent sight as the water freezes lower and lower during the frigid Alberta winters.
Why is Abraham Lake such an optimal spot to view these frozen methane gas bubbles? This is thanks to the high winds blowing that sweep the majority of the snow off the frozen surface. Even though Abraham Lake is an artificially man-made lake, it still produces very clear blue water mimicking a natural mountain lake and makes it a perfect location to show off this phenomenon.
The number of methane gas bubbles has risen year after year and is considered an environmental concern. The rise in global temperatures and climate change is causing the permafrost to melt releasing more and more methane into our atmosphere from natural decomposition. This results in causing additional harm to the environment by creating unplanned greenhouse gasses on top of what we are already producing as a society.
Let us hope that we, as society as a whole, are able to come up with a solution to global warming/climate change for future generations and survival as a species.
**Please Note**
The ice thickness can vary at different locations around the lake and we always recommend checking the ice conditions before venturing out on the lake and/or hiring a local guide while visiting. Guides will have studied the ice and will know where it is safe to view the frozen gas bubbles. Always better to be safe than sorry in our eyes.
A picture of the frozen methane bubbles in Abraham Lake in early January
Substantial amounts of methane bubbles frozen in the ice at Abraham Lake
Hiking and/or Snowshoeing!
The hiking around Abraham Lake is amazing in the summer months that provides some of the best views in the Rockies.
We also wanted to provide snowshoe routes because many people visit the area in the winter months to view the beautiful bubble phenomenon and we usually plan winter day trips to the area for this exact reason!
Here are some options to help guide everyone towards an adventure they will never forget!
Hiking Trail Options:
(Recommended in the late spring, summer and early fall)
Allstones Lake Trail (out & back) - 10.1km in length with 857m of elevation gain and is considered to be "hard/black" in difficulty.
This trail is not for the faint of heart because there is significant elevation gain up to the view point and fairly steep on the way down. The hike could take anywhere from 4 - 5 hrs depending on whether people are looking to grind it out or "stop to smell the roses" and take in the views on the way up. At the top of the trail people will be able to take in the views of Abraham Lake, the surrounding forests and Allstone Lake.
Vision Quest Ridge Scramble (out & back) - 6.4km in length with 882m of elevation gain and is considered to be "hard/black" in difficulty.
The name alone says something remarkable about this trail because it is quite a steep and difficult initial hike. There will be some scrambling along the ridge and is recommended to wear actual hiking boots with ankle support and to bring hiking poles to help with the decent. After reaching the top, the view provides an almost mystical view overlooking the valley and Abraham Lake. For any hikers who are just getting into the sport, we highly recommend tackling this hike with someone who is experienced in order to learn the art of scrambling. We promise scrambling is something worth leaning and well worth the effort.
Hoodoo Creek (out & back) - 4km in length with 366m of elevation gain and is considered to be "moderate/blue" in difficulty.
This is a really neat and challenging route because people must follow the creek up to view the hoodoos. There are also caves along the way as well and are always fun to check out and cool off in during the hot summer months. It is recommended to hike this trail during the summer because of the flow of the creek so people can stay dry on the way up.
**Please note** The rocks can get slippery when wet so we strongly encourage people to have proper footwear, waterproof hiking boots and/or shoes.
Mount Stelfox Via Ferrata AKA... "The Fox" (loop)- 2.6km in length with 308m of elevation gain and is considered to be "hard/black" in difficulty.
We couldn't leave this trail off of our recommendations because it is the first "Via Ferrata" built in the Alberta Rockies! How neat is that? The hike is amazing and people are able to walk to the base of the "Via Ferrata" for those looking for a bit easier of a hike. We also recommend hiring a guide for those looking to complete the entire loop for safety purposes. This is a great option for those who are looking to get into rock climbing and not be too overwhelmed.
**Please note** As we mentioned above, we highly recommend a guide because of how dangerous the climb can be for those who aren't experienced climbers with the proper gear.
Click on the following link to learn about pricing and what entails climbing "The Fox" from Canrock Mountain Guides:
"Via Ferrata Canada - Mount Stelfox - Canrock Mountain Guide Information"
Snowshoeing or hiking Trail Options:
(Recommended anytime of the year)
Crescent Falls (out & back) - 1.8km in length with 63m of elevation gain is considered "easy/green" in difficulty.
This one is short and sweet that will provide a great view of the falls in the winter or summer. For those who are looking to hike in the winter, there might be ice climbers to watch climb the frozen falls.
Crescent Falls & Bighorn Canyon (out & back) -- 5.5km in length with 158m of elevation gain and is considered to be "easy/green" in difficulty.
For those who want to view Crescent Falls but also looking for something a little longer; this is a great option because it adds on Bighorn Canyon. Both are great to explore anytime of the year and we feel the waterfalls are absolutely stunning in the summer months. It is recommended to start early around 9:00am to beat the traffic and to get a parking spot.
Whitegoat Falls (out & back) - 3.1km in length with 151m of elevation gain and is considered to be "moderate/blue" in difficulty.
This is a beautiful hike anytime of the year! since this trail is fairly popular, people may not necessarily need snowshoes unless there is a fresh snowfall. We always recommend bringing them just incase or for those who may want to wander off the beaten path during the winter months. Just a heads up that the trail crosses the creek twice to get to the bottom of the falls. Not an issue in the winter and does have a pretty good run off flow when the snow is melting in the early spring.
Tershishner Falls (out & back) - 3.4km in length with 86m of elevation gain and is considered to be "moderate/blue" in difficulty.
Another beautiful hike to conquer anytime of the year! It is recommended to walk up the creek and, in the summer, there should be small flags to follow. This trail can get busy so we recommend to plan accordingly so people are able to get a great view of the falls for pictures!
Looking for more hiking options?
If the trails we have recommended sparked interest to explore the area even more, look no further!
There are many other trail options that include....
- Overnight hiking roots for backcountry camping on crown land.
- Trail options that are on the Mount Michener side that need to be accessed via canoe, kayak or crossing the lake in the frozen winter.
- Off-roading trails around Nordegg.
- Additional waterfall hikes
We chose to focus on our personal favorites which we felt were challenging and also offered incredible views!
Feel free to click on the link below for additional hiking trail options!
Photography
The landscape around Abraham Lake is absolutely stunning which brings in photographers from all over North America to capture the essence of its beauty.
Although the lake is mainly recognized during the winter months due to the frozen bubble phenomenon, we can assure everyone this lake is worth visiting anytime of the year.
Some of our favorite things to photograph include (but are not limited to)....
- Abraham Mountain (9646ft located on the north west side of the lake)
- Frozen methane gas bubbles trapped under the ice (winter months)
- Bighorn Sheep
- Elk
- Bears
- Mount Michener (8350ft located on the east side of the lake)
- Many different species of birds
- Wild horses around Nordegg
- Landscape of the area
- Bighorn Hydro Plant
The other great thing about the area is that people will not need to climb up a mountain to take in the beauty of the valley. We have seen many photographers pulled over on the side of the road to capture different landscapes and local wildlife around the area.
We were also lucky enough to witness photoshoots for wedding and engagement pictures during the winter months out on the lake. There was something about Mount Michener as a backdrop highlighting this magical moment as the wedding dress danced in the brisk winter wind. Although we did not take any pictures of the newly wed couple out of respect for their privacy, it was something we will never forget.
FUN FACT - The "Bighorn Hydro Plant" was named due to the abundance of bighorn sheep in the area.
**Please Note**
We always recommend to drive with caution around the lake because sheep tend to come down to lick the salt off the roads and the last thing we would want is for someone to have an accident because of this.
Guided tour options around Abraham Lake
Nordegg Adventures offer outstanding guided tour options and are amazing people to deal with!
They are open year-round for those looking to experience the frozen methane bubble phenomenon that happens every winter.
Here is a list of a few tours they offer in both the summer and winter months! Feel free to click on the links to read up on each tour option, pricing and are able to book a tour through the Nordegg Adventures website!
There are public and private tour options which vary in price depending on each tour option.
Hiking Tour Options: (April - October)
Public pricing ranges from $80.00 - $110.00 per person depending on tour
Private pricing ranges from $400.00 -$550.00 per group depending on tour
Scenic Floats & Kayak Tours: (May to October)
Public pricing ranges from $85.00 - $185.00 per person depending on tour
Private pricing ranges from $510.00 -$1110.00 per group depending on tour
November Abraham Lake Ice Walks: (November to Mid-March)
- Abraham Lake Ice Walk
- Moonlight Ice Walk
- Ice Walk Photo Tour
- Sunrise & Ice Bubbles Photo Tour
- Sunset & Ice Bubbles Photo Tour
Public pricing ranges from $85.00 - $165.00 per person depending on tour
**Please Note**
We do not receive any residuals from Nordegg Adventures for the information we shared. We wanted to genuinely promote & share an amazing business with incredible tour options to our circle.
Needing to rent outdoor gear while visiting?
For those looking to venture out & create their own adventure....Nordegg Adventures also offers gear rentals during the summer & winter months! How awesome is that?
Summer Rental Options Include:
- Single Inflatable Kayak
- Sit-on-top Inflatable Kayak
- Tandem Inflatable Kayak
- River Inflatable Kayak
- Zoleo Satellite Communicator
- Bear Spray
- PFD (Life Jackets in Adult & Youth)
- Hiking Poles
- Paddles
Winter Rental Options Include:
- Esla T6 Kicksled
- MSR Snowshoes
- Hok Skis
- Ice Cleats
- XC Ski Boots
- Brooms & Shovels
- Ice Safety Kit
- Nordic Skate Blades
Rentals are available for pickup anytime after 9:00am and must be returned before 5:00pm.
There is also the option to book multiple days for gear rentals if anyone plans on using the gear over a multiple day adventure!
Nordegg Adventures Contact Information
P: 403-986-6190
E: bookings@nordeggadventures.ca
Campground & Rustic Public Lands Camping
CAMPGROUND CAMPING:
There are campgrounds with the option to reserve a site around Abraham Lake which have stunning scenery to say the very least.
We have provided options in Abraham Lake region to accommodate people looking for more amenities to assist with additional comfort while exploring the great outdoors!
David Thompson Resort - (Click on the link for easy access)
- This resort is an amazing place to stay because it offers a hotel, full service camping sites, RV trailer rentals, cabins (glamping), wall tents, and unserviced tent sites.
- There are also many activities to do at the resort which include a rocket ship playground, mini golf course, convenient store & restaurant!
- There is also the ability to book events for any corporate party or wedding!
Fish Lake Provincial Recreation Area - (Click on the link for easy access to the booking page)
2025 - Open May to October
Reservations are required to stay here and are able to reserve campsites at least 1 day in advance.
Here is quick breakdown of what the campground offers:
- 81 Unserviced Sites (Max 6 people - $28.00 per night)
- 24 Power Sites (Max 6 People - $36.00 per night)
- 1 Group Power Site (Max 180 People - $194.00)
- Sites include picnic tables & fire pits
- Toilets & garbage bins available
- Small convenient store which offers firewood bundles to purchase
- Water tap access
RUSTIC PUBLIC LANDS CAMPING:
"Rustic" camping is exactly what it sounds like...Rustic! The Rustic Public Lands sites offer very minimal amenities which means this style of camping isn't for everyone. So, please make sure you are well prepared before making the decision to camp on "Rustic Public Lands."
What do Rustic Public Lands Campsites include?
- Usually have access to toilets & sometimes could be pit/vault style.
- Generally, have animal proof garbage cans - If not, clean up after yourselves & take any garbage when leaving. Leave the site cleaner than when you came.
- Ability to camp up to 14 consecutive days in one location.
What do Rustic Public Lands Campsites NOT include?
- They do not have picnic tables - Plan accordingly for meal preparation & eating.
- They do not have designated fire pits - Some sites could have previous manmade fire circles made out of rocks. If not, there is an option to build your own as long as there is not a fire ban in the area. BE FIRE SMART (Link to Alberta FireSmart Training)
- They do not have designated campsites - Each site works on a first come, first serve basis.
- They do not have designated shower/dish washing facilities. - There are public showers at the Shell in Nordegg.
- They do not have water hookups.
- They do not have power.
The great thing about Rustic Camping is that it provides a feeling of freedom for setting up camp in a location that speaks to each adventurer, the ability to meet some really interesting people along the way & an extremely cost-effective approach to camping.
We utilized the Nordegg Adventures Rustic campsites they shared on their website because it helped us so much and wanted to provide a list of what spoke to us the most.
Each of our picks will have links to the Nordegg Adventures camping location description for easy reference.
- Abraham Slabs Rustic Camping Area
- Allstones Rustic Camping Area
- Bighorn Dam Rustic Camping Area
- Wildhorse Creek Rustic Camping Area
**Please Note**
We do not receive any residuals from the information we shared. We wanted to genuinely promote & share amazing camping options with incredible scenery to our circle.
Thinking about Camping on Rustic Public Lands?
Making the leap to try Rustic Public Lands camping is something we want all of our fellow adventures to be prepared for!
We have provided a list below of what people will need in order to camp on Rustic Public Lands:
1) Alberta Public Lands Camping Pass
- This is a MUST and have provided a link to purchase a pass via the action button below.
- **Please Note** These must be purchased online before any trip because there is usually no reception in these remote sites. So, please come prepared.
2) Enclosed Shelter
- This could be a tent, roof top tent, truck bed camper, tent trailer, 5th wheel, or even an RV.
- We recommend an enclosed shelter due to extensive wildlife in the area & to protect against the elements.
- **Please Note** Most of the Rustic sites do not provide "pull through" camping areas for those with larger campers. Please be sure any shelter being pulled by a vehicle can get in and out of the campsite.
3) A water source
- We recommend a large portable re-fillable jug to help keep disposable water bottles at a minimum.
- Fill the water jug up BEFORE leaving to go camping. We recommend this just incase there is not a drinkable water source near by.
4) A plan to dispose garbage respectfully
- Some of the Rustic campsites will not have access to a garbage bin. Please make sure there is a plan in place for proper & respectful garbage disposal.
- There is access to a garbage disposal in Nordegg, Alberta.
5) Be well versed with the 2025 "Alberta Public Land Trail Guide"
- Click on the link for easy access to the Trail Guide.
- The Trail Guide will help with knowing where to go, caring for the trails & responsible recreation and safety.
Nordegg Discovery Centre & Museum
The Nordegg Discovery Centre provides a great stop as an information hub to learn about the history, local culture, & surrounding environment of this quaint little hamlet!
This is where people can also find the "Visitor Information Desk" and the "Nordegg Museum Exhibit." There has been a new expansion of the museum exhibit because of the relocation of the Miner's and is wheelchair accessible for everyone to enjoy!
Fun Fact - The Nordegg Heritage Centre was once the town school!
Nordegg has a population of roughly 100 people and we can assure everyone they are some of the friendliest people we have ever met! The true genuine people of the world who care about their community and the surrounding areas.
Nordegg Discovery Centre Address - 4002 Stuart St, Nordegg, Alberta, T0M 2H0
(Click on the address for easy access & directions from your starting point)
Looking to visit the Nordegg Discovery Centre & Museum?
The Nordegg Discovery Centre & Museum are open for the season starting Saturday May 17, 2025 until the September long weekend!
2025 SEASONAL HOURS
- Monday - Sunday
- 9:00am - 4:30pm
Discovery Centre Contact Information
P: 403-721-COAL (2625)
Brazeau Collieries Historic Mine Site Tours
The Brazeau Collieries Mine was the reason behind the hamlet of Nordegg coming to life!
There are amazing and affordable tour option for people to view this National Heritage Site and we highly recommend adding this destination to anyone's adventure list!
There are both public and private guided tour options which generally tend to fill up quickly. With that being said, we highly recommend calling well in advance to pre-register for a tour and can be reached at 403-721-COAL (2625).
Here are some items that will be needed for the tour:
- Dress for the weather
- Wear sturdy closed toe shoes for safety
- Bring a full water bottle because water is not available at the Mine site.
- Unfortunately, no pets are allowed
- Cameras are acceptable for photography
- NO DRONES
FUN FACT - The Brazeau Colleries Mine is considered a National & Provincial Historic Site because it's one of Canada's largest industrial heritage sites and has remained standing since the mid-1950's.
**Please Note**
The Mine Site is only accessible through guided tours. This is because the community is looking to preserve & ensure the longevity of the site for many years to come.
Looking to book a Mine Site Tour?
Tours are open for the season starting Saturday May 17, 2025 until the September long weekend!
2025 SEASONAL HOURS
- Wednesday - Monday
- 10:00am - Approx 2.5 Hours
- 2:00pm - Approx 2.5 Hours
- The Tour includes both the upper & lower mine sites
Mine Site Tours Contact Information
P: 403-721-COAL (2625)
History of Nordegg, Alberta
The hamlet of Nordegg came to life because of a man by the name of Martin Cohn, who was an upcoming German investor looking to make his fortune in Western Canada!
Wondering what made Martin decide to cross the Atlantic? As it turns out, Martin met a gentleman by the name of Colonel Onésiphore-Ernest Talbot while he was working at a printing firm in Germany. The Colonel was very impressed with Martin and proposed he come to Canada to invest in the settlements happening all over Canada. After listening to Colonel Talbot’s proposal, Martin approached his business partner, Georg W. Büxenstein, pitching the idea and was graciously provided $60,000 to seek out a profitable investment in Canada.
Martin arrived in Ottawa, Canada in the Spring of 1906 eager to utilize his investment and locate a profitable business venture in Canada. He eagerly met with Colonel Talbot who happened to have incredible connections to assist Martin with his new business investment. One of Colonel Talbot’s connections turned out to be Wilfrid Laurier; who happened to be the Prime Minister of Canada at the time. After getting to know one another on a more personal note, Wilfrid suggested that Martin should look into investing in Canadian mining operations. Martin took Wilfrid’s advice and headed to Northern Ontario to seek out his new fortune!
Unfortunately, Martin’s Northern Ontario expedition was not a success and decided to head west to look for other mining investment opportunities. Martin’s travels landed him in Morley, Alberta, where he met a man by the name of Donaldson Bogart Dowling (D. B. Dowling) who happened to be a geologist with the Geological Survey of Canada. Since Martin knew very little about coal and geology, D. B. took Martin under his wing and taught him what he needed to know when looking for potential mine sites.
Martin, D. B. & a man by the name of Stuart Kidd left Morley in 1907 searching for possible mine sites along the North Saskatchewan River Corridor through Pipestone Pass. While out on their expedition, Martin was hunting by a lake (which was later named “Fish Lake”) and noticed there were black lateral striations in a hillside. Martin went and had a closer look and the striations turned out to be coal!
Some might be wondering, why are we talking about the history of Martin Cohn? Well, as it turns out, Martin decided to legally change his name from “Cohn” to “Nordegg” in 1909 which eventually led to the community being named after Martin!
FUN FACT - "Nordegg" loosely translates to "North-Corner " in the German language.
Why would they name this community after Martin? Well, his discovery of coal was such a surprise because D. B. Dowling & another geologist passed by the area numerous times without noticing these striations. Like we mentioned above, Martin had no geological background and only used the knowledge he accumulated from the teachings of D. B. to locate this coal deposit. D. B. was so impressed he declared they name the site “The Nordegg Coal Basin.”
After finding “The Nordegg Coal Basin,” Martin opened Brazeau Collieries Ltd. in 1909 and a camp was later set up which eventually led to the construction of the Brazeau Collieries Coal Mine. Mining operations began in 1912 and the only option to export the coal was via horse and carriage at the time. This was not sustainable for business operations because of the amount of coal coming out of the mine and Martin pressed for the rail line to be brought to the community for ease of transportation.
In 1913, the rail line finally made its way to the new community which led to a town being founded in 1914 as one of the first planned communities in Alberta! William Mackenzie, who was a railway tycoon, was so impressed with Martin’s efforts with the rail line; they decided to name the new mining community “Nordegg!”
The Brazeau Collieries Coal Mine flourished and the word quickly spread. People from all over moved to Nordegg to be a part of the coal mining operations which helped the town reach a population of roughly 2500 people by the early 1940’s.
After World War II ended, the coal market drastically declined, steam locomotives were being replaced by diesel engines and coal had lost most of its demand. This led to the eventual shutdown & closure of the Brazeau Collieries Coal Mine in 1955. Without the mine being in operation, many people were out of work and ended up leaving the town of Nordegg for other opportunities. This caused the once booming town of Nordegg to significantly drop in population leading to its eventual “Hamlet” stature. Thankfully a few families decided to stay to help with keeping the community & history alive to this very day!