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.
Beer Parlour Project Friday🍺: The Thorsby Hotel, built in 1929 & a photo by the manager's 7 years old daughter. More below 👇
Agreema politely asked if she could shoot a few photos & we obliged. A dark environment like this is very unforgiving & the camera she used quite temperamental, so she did an amazing job. We're out of work as photographers! Great food at this place, BTW!
Beer Parlour Project Friday🍺: The Tofield Hotel, built in 1912 & patron Lana, shot on Rob's vintage view camera. More below 👇
She's a sweetie & met her late husband at the hotel. The building from the alley side hasn't changed much since being built but the front brickwork is now covered by siding.
Crossley slides (unrestored), an unnamed fellow snacking on Sun-Maid Raisins - mountains of BC - 1950s. More below 👇
The distinctive red box is instantly recognizable! The location is listed as the Whitewater Valley & we think it's in the Sandon area close to Retallack. Perhaps some of our friends out that way can confirm. Sandon B.C., would Hal know? Crossley frequented Sandon so the location makes sense. Note the (mine?) road cutting across the slope in back. The slide is dated 1955 in the catalogue but 1956 on the frame.
Shout out to: Jason Sailer. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
An old section of Highway #6 (BC) in the 1970s & 2021 - it's the second most shared post in our entire history! More below 👇
The original photo shows the road about the time it was decommissioned. This was always a troublesome section & so it got replaced by a new route further up the hill. While it hasn’t seen a car in eons, it remains overall in reasonable shape, save for some rockfall in places like this. These came down about ten years ago.
Happy Holidays from Off the Beaten Path w' Chris & Connie. Thanks for your continued support & encouragement. More 👇
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CPKC's Holiday Train from a few nights ago. Rather than fight the crowds to see it, we wanted something a little more intimate. A bit of hike, but we brought mulled wine to help us keep warm while waiting. It's not a great shot & originally we had no intent to share it here, but what the heck.
Trainspotting is like fishing. It's not about the catch but rather getting out. If a train comes by, great, but if not, we had each other & a chance to get away from the day's problems. That's a BIG win in our books...even if we did freeze our bottoms off. _______
Out exploring with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
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.