It can be quite tricky to get around in this area so we have added several waypoints with coordinates to make sure you are on the right track to the cache. Please leave all gates as you found them.
This cache is part of a series called the “Prairie Winds Adventure Trail” developed by volunteers of the Canadian Badlands Geocaching Association. Enjoy the hidden secrets of Southern Alberta by getting off the beaten trail to sites seldom visited, scenic views and historic sites and buildings. Prairies are not flat and there is a reason for calling our trail “Prairie Winds”.
There may be other caches in the area.
Welcome to the Pinhorn Provincial Grazing Reserve, the largest community pasture in Alberta. This reserve, named after a North West Mounted Police veterinary inspector, was established in 1962 at the request of local area farmers and ranchers. Establishment of this reserve allowed the smaller farm and ranch holder’s access to grazing lands for their livestock freeing up their more productive lands for hay and crop production.
This reserve, straddling both sides of the Milk River, encompasses over 31,000 hectares (76,681 acres) of grasslands and is managed by an Association made up of stakeholders and public appointees. Livestock grazing takes place from mid May thru mid October. Like all Provincial Grazing Reserves in Alberta, the Pinhorn allows public access for various multiple use interests such as hunting, hiking, bird watching and canoeing of the Milk River. Oil and gas exploration is also permitted as well as access to the Milk River Natural Area and Kennedy Coulee Ecological Reserve is accessed through the southern portion of the Pinhorn. Recreational access on Provincial Grazing Reserves is regulated by a number of conditions. These conditions can be obtained online by doing a search of the Grazing Reserve, or by contacting the Public Lands Branch or Grazing Association.
In 1908, Dr. Pinhorn graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College. He set up practice in southern Alberta at a place called Pendant d’orielle (pond-or-ray). Shortly thereafter he was made Veterinary Inspector with the NWMP and conducted livestock inspections at the Ports of Entry at Coutts and Aden. In 1920 he moved to Medicine Hat and little is known of him after this date.
To receive a Prairie Winds Geocoin, you must have logged, as found, at least 40 of the Prairie Winds caches and then send an e-mail to lthbridge@gmail.com. We will check your profile and contact you for mailing arrangements. There are 100 geocoins available.
UPDATE: Jul 2017 Because we have had to archive some of these caches, and others are now micros, we have lowered the requirement to 30 PW finds in order to get a coin. As of July 15th, 2017 there are still 40 coins available.