Bow River Loop + Inglewood & Ramsay

With all the world at full stop here’s a little step back from the uncertainty, another instalment in our inner-city hike series. This route follows the Bow River for a time along a dedicated pathway, with diversions into the historic communities of Inglewood and Ramsay added for good measure. Take in busy city streets, peaceful wooded groves, quiet residential lanes and historic buildings by the score There’s more awesome stuff along this route than our photos could ever show. Do it for yourself and see.

The starting point is the along 9th Avenue SE, by the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Take to the pathway and head north that soon trends west on coming to the Bow. To the left two tiny homes (both over a 100 years old)…all the space of a two car garage. Looks like the land they’re on may be due for redevelopment. A newer dwelling next door stands in stark contract – it’s huge! Today many homes in Calgary are built to the maximum square footage allowed with little consideration given to how they fit into the style of a neighbourhood. All that matter is size!

Normally one would continue on the pathway, but construction on our visit (no, not in Calgary!) forces a detour. Take to 7th Ave SE and continue west. Make note of some old sidewalk stampings seen along here…we found one from 1911 that’s been witness to the passing of a lot of feet. Over there, a doomed house, boarded up and with no future. Right on 19th Street SE and soon in cross the new 17th Avenue BRT (Bus Rapid Transit, a dedicated lane) and Blackfoot Trail. Continue along a quiet residential street (look for the “peace out” house) and enter Pearce Estate Park. It’s named after big wheel that one worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway who had a home here. It’s a nicely wooded park, with picnic areas, playgrounds, river frontage and is home to the Bow Fish Hatchery.

Go right on the first gravel path. Along here, there’s binoculars allowing one to spy on wildlife and birds from a distance. Oh, and people residing in those condos over there. A sign warns that peering into their lives is a no-no. So what does everybody do, us included? Further on, rejoin the paved pathway and go left.

Harvie Passage is series of man made river channels used for kayaking and the like. The old Calgary Weir (a deadly place) used to be located here. Cross under the CPR bridge and soon on, come to 15th Street SE and turn left. Then going right it’s back on the pathway. On coming to 12th Street SE, turn left (south). There’s the new zoo bridge and there’s remain of the one it replaced, from 1908 and much loathed by motorists. Due to tight clearances more than a few side mirrors were lost to it.

A block later pass the Inglewood Drive In, old school in every way and dating back to 1959. An Inglewood institution, we make this our lunch stop – major calories here – good thing we’re walking it off! A oddly shaped onion ring keeps us amused. Peace symbol? Two rings intertwined, speaking of a solid relationship? What ever…it was yummy! Back on the road, look for the Yogi Bear Zoo sign. It’s been pointing the way for sixty some years and every kid knew they were that close when it came into view.

Continue down 12th Street SE (latter morphing to 11th Street). Along here, there’s a number of historic buildings, a former Feed Mill (circa 1940s), home to other business now, and over there, a new addition (circa 2015) put atop the CC Snowdon Building (circa 1911). At the site of the old (and notorious) Shamrock Hotel, an old Volkswagen Microbus commands out attention. A sticker on back reminds us that Jesus loves it when we use turn signals. Left (west) on 21st Avenue SE, passing the Valiant House (after the car – always some parked here), then it’s left on 9th Street SE. Along here is an entire block of century old houses boarded up and due to be demolished. It’s suggested plans are on hold, what with the economy in the pooper, but as soon as oil rebounds it’s curtains for these.

Right on 23rd Avenue SE. Along here, watched over by historic homes, it’s footprint memorialized in a section of sidewalk placed long ago. Right on Spiller Road (formerly MacLeod Trail). It’s more old homes, one of Calgary’s fine sandstone schools and remains of a gas station. At 19th Avenue SE, a couple block diversion takes in the Alberta Corner Store, still in business and looking every bit the same as it has for decades. The city says it’s from 1940, but we think it older. On the west facing wall it’s ghost signage: ”Everything in Groceries”. Most of the lettering was too faded to read. Since we’ve always approached the business from the other side, we’ve never seen these. And here you thought we knew of all.

Yes, we bought lotto scratchies…and yes, we didn’t win. Be sure to patronize this business should you pass so that it continues to operate. It’s one of the last of its kind.

Back on Spiller Road, morphing into 8th Street SE here, and soon it’s another corner store. Here’s Black & White Grocery, circa 1948 but closed up a few years back with the redevelopment monster looming. We used to stop here all the time. The B&W has an attached home for those who owned the place, as was typical for the time (the Alberta Corner Store is similar in this regard).

Along here, more old homes, all quite charming, most in good condition. Odd how many Lime Bikes we saw along this section. This firm has since ceased business in the city.

There’s the old Penguin Car Wash. At the core is a building dating back to 1940s that was once a gas station. Of course, the land is due for redevelopment. Cross over the tracks – this day a train came and so we had to duck under it by Elbow River. Back on 8th Street SE, come to a footbridge over the river and head west on the pathway. Wander in behind Fort Calgary, a museum, then it’s left at the George King Bridge. Here we’re at the edge of the revitalized East Village, once a s**thole bad neighbourhood (but one we loved), now being reborn. Think trendy condos and boutique coffee shops but most of all think this –> $$$$.

Go right on the ramp leading down to St Patrick’s Island, a pleasant wooded park west of the zoo. To your right is “Bloom” a sculpture made from light standards done up to represent flowers. Along here, a toboggan hill (no snow this day) and a mini-curling rink. Haste firm! Rush solid! Oh…it’s hurry hard. Continue eastbound, duck under the road, cross the Baines Bridge and come to the Bow Pathway again (north side edition). Go right (east).

Moving on, to your right across a side channel it’s St Georges (aka Zoo) Island and to your left more zoo lands (it’s a big place). Cross Nose Creek, duck under that train bridge again and come to some old ruins connected to the Western Irrigation District canal which you just crossed. Along here, the pathway is very close to busy Deerfoot Trail. To say it’s noisy would be an understatement. What?! This is the only unpleasant section, but it’s soon over. Hardly the peaceful setting for a memorial, but yet there’s one here. A few years back, one William Kuhl met his end over there in Harvie Passage (behind the camera position). Back in motion, come to a large wooded area. In the 1970s, a motel and trailer park stood here. How do we know? Stayed there as a kid.

Cross over the Bow on 17th Avenue SE, the it’s left on 19th Street SE. Pass the Blackfoot Truck Stop (great breakfasts there). Left on 9th Avenue SE, pass another iconic sandstone school and in mere moments you’re back at your car. Across the road, a large empty space once home to an oil refinery and account ugly stuff in the soil, probably never to be built upon.

There you have it, fourteen and some clicks of awesomeness under the belt. We did a little train spotting, surrendered to voyeuristic intentions (What, naked vacuuming?!) and chowed down on some fine old school drive in fare. Plus we got in a good workout. Win!

Till next time, keep on hiking…

More fun in the city…
Urban Trek: 17th Ave SE.
Urban Trek: Bowness Road.
Centre Street: Back in Time.

If you wish more information about this route, by all means contact us!

Date of adventure: March, 2019
Location: Calgary, AB.
Distance: 14.5km loop.
Height gain maximum: Negligible.
Height gain cumulative: Negligible.
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate.

Getting to know the Bow River Pathway.

A contrast in size.

Stamped 1911 & a doomed house in back.

Crossing the 17th Ave SE BRT.

Peace out man!

In Pearce Estate Park.

You’re cautioned NO.

This way or that?

Train spotting at the site of the old weir.

Crossed it as a teen.

No F350 this.

At Nellie Breen Park.

We stop for vintage motorhomes.

All that’s left of the old (& much loathed) Zoo Bridge.

Rings at the Inglewood Drive-in.

The “Yogi” sign recalled from childhood.

Coop Feeds is long gone.

A new building atop old.

Jesus has some driving advice.

Be sure to arrive early.

This 1960s Valiant.

On death row.

Footprints memorialized.

Ghost signage at the Alberta Corner Store.

Closed for some time now.

Lime Bikes are no more in Calgary.

The view down this alley.

Close as can be.

Downtown from the old car wash.

At George King Bridge.

A view of the East Village & Bloom.

Haste firm!

Not a cabin in the woods.

Bridges are us.

Remains connected to the WID Canal.

A memorial to a person drowned nearby.

The BIGDoer-mobile (back) patiently waits.

All fourteen clicks! Star = start.