Luxury Accommodations in the U.S. & Canadian Rockies|
These trips explore some of Banff National Park's most spectacular back country. Join us on a 4, 5, or 6 day Wilderness Tenting Ride in the Cascade Valley. Each of the 3 camps on the circuit offer their own particular charms. Stoney Creek Camp sits at the junction of Stoney Creek and the Cascade River, and offers the rugged, sculptured peaks of the Palliser Range as a backdrop. Flints Park Camp is nestled into the base of massive Flints Peak. Open vistas and starry nights highlight this beautiful camp. The last camp is aptly called Mystic, with its stands of big, old pine and spruce trees covered with hanging moss, and open, grassy slides; this camp is set in a truly mystical location.
The clanging of the dinner bell calls all to delicious ranch-style meals. Coffee is always on and kept hot on the wood stove. The horses, chosen especially to meet your needs and experience, will win you over with their charming personalities and amaze you with their abilities. A strong "partnership" is usually formed by ride's end. During your ride, trails may lead to the tranquil beauty of Rainbow, Sawback or Cuthead Lakes; to the overwhelming views of 40 Mile Summit, Cuthead View Point, or the Rainbow Ridge; the open valleys on the Passes of Elk Lake or 40 Mile Summit, the beauty of the Dormer and Block Valleys or the eerie atmosphere of Mystic Valley. The historic elk corral or wild goat trap should provide you with plenty of opportunities to see and capture on film the abundant wildlife common to the area: elk, deer, bighorn sheep, goats, eagles and the occasional bear or timber wolf. The rides are casual, with breaks and leisurely lunches. Lunch is served on the trail and there is usually time for some exploring, fishing and even a well deserved snooze in the tall grass.
The 4 day trip departs Mondays and stays one night in Stoney Creek, Flints Park and Mystic camps. The 5 day trip departs Saturdays and stays one night in Stoney Creek camp, two nights in Flints Park camp and one night in Mystic camp. The 6 day trip departs Wednesdays and stays two nights at Flints Park and one night at Mystic camp. Day 1 - The riders meet at our office at 8:30 a.m. and are transported by van to the trailhead corral at Mount Norquay. There they are met by their guides and horses, and mount up for the eleven mile ride over Elk Lake Summit between Brewster Mountain and Cascade Mountain, and down into Stoney Creek Camp. Day 2 - A ride is taken toward the headwaters of Stoney Creek, returning to camp for the night. This area is a favorite haunt of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, who are often grazing in the high meadows, providing ample opportunity for pictures. Day 3 - The riders roll up their duffel, mount up, and ride the ten miles to Flint's Park Camp. This camp, located in the center of open, grassy ridges topped with high peaks, has become a favorite of many of our riders. Wildlife is commonly seen and photographed in this area. Day 4 - A day ride is conducted from camp to Block Mountain, or perhaps to Cuthead Viewpoint - just two of the many points of interest accessible from Flint's Park. This area has much to offer the rider, photographer, hiker and fisherman alike. Day 5 - Once again the riders roll up their duffel in preparation for the ride to the Mystic Valley Camp. At this time the guests have the opportunity to observe the historic art of horse packing, using the famous diamond hitch. When everything is securely in place, the riders mount up and ride into Mystic Valley for the final night. It is traditional with our guides to have a real western dinner for the last night. By this time everyone has become friends, and all are ready for a wind-up get-together. Day 6 - Unfortunately, every trip has a last day, but what better way to end the trip than with the scenic nine mile ride from Mystic Valley to the Mount Norquay Corral. The "Full Circle" has been completed and the riders return to Banff at approximately 5:00 p.m.
RATES
TRIP DATES
2001
RATES
TRIP DATES
2001
RATES
TRIP DATES
2001
The 3 Day Mystic Valley Pack trip is perfect for people who don't have a lot of time, but would still like to enjoy a taste of the back country and turn three days into a memorable mountain experience. Mystic Valley Camp is located 10 miles north of Mt. Norquay, situated on the banks of Forty Mile Creek. After a picnic style lunch prepared by your guide, the ride will continue on to Mystic Valley Camp where you will be greeted by the cook and shown around. In camp, guests can relax in the kitchen tent, take a short hike, or try their luck at fishing in the creek. On the following day, after breakfast, guests enjoy a day ride to Mystic Pass. On the way to the pass there will be a stop at Mystic Lake for anyone who wants to try their hand at fishing. When the riders return from the pass, everyone will gather for a hearty western meal and after dinner, spend the evening gathered around a cozy campfire or the warmth of the wood stove in the cook tent. After breakfast on Sunday morning, it'll be time to begin the trail ride homeward. Arrival time at Mt. Norquay is about 4:00 p.m.
RATES
TRIP DATES
2001
Wilderness Tenting Rides with a big difference!
Featuring
Interpretive Guide and Environmental Science Consultant For the year 2000, we are pleased to again offer our very popular program of Natural History Interpretive Rides led by well-known local naturalist and environmental science consultant, Dave Day. Each interpretive ride features a 6-day wilderness horseback exploration into the spectacular scenery of Canada's first national park, now a UNESCO World heritage site. Sign up early for this wilderness classroom adventure of a lifetime, now in its eighth year of operation. Past Superintendent of Banff National Park and a 20-year veteran with Canada's National Park Service, Dave will share his knowledge of and appreciation for Banff's Canadian Rocky Mountain Ecosystem, and the challenges faced in national park management and protection. Your classroom is the montane, sub-alpine, and alpine tundra life zones you travel in the passes and valley floor habitats of the Rocky Mountain front ranges. Relive the awesome geological forces that shaped the Canadian Rockies. Climb to mountain passes and glacial cirques where larch forests, tundra vegetation and wildlife have adapted to the rigorous alpine climactic regime. Share the habitat of protected wildlife including grizzly bear, elk, and big-horned sheep. Admire the soaring skills of the hawks and eagles, and thrill to the haunting call of the grey wolf. At lunchtime talks, and on evening walks, Dave will trace the evolution of Banff National Park from the arrival of the transcontinental railroad to its present status as an internationally renowned protected area and tourist destination. Share your views and experiences with Dave and other guests as we use the Banff National Park experience for a thoughtful exploration of conservation strategies for the new millenium.
THE DATES
FOR THE INTERPRETIVE RIDES ARE:
For many, September is the most beautiful time to ride in the Rockies. Willow brush and larch trees change their colour into brilliant fall hues of red, amber and gold. The stillness of an early mountain evening is often broken by the shrill bugle of a bull elk in rut. Wildlife tends to migrate down from their loftier perches to graze in the lower valleys. The days are pleasantly cool, ideal for riding. Back by popular demand, we will once again be offering our September 3 Day Mystic Valley, 4, 5 and 6 Day Wilderness Tenting Rides EXCLUSIVELY FOR ADULTS, at a discounted rate and with a fun twist.
RATES
TRIP DATES
2001
RATES
TRIP DATES
2001
RATES
TRIP DATES
2001
RATES
TRIP DATES
2001
With Dr. Mike Gibeau
Knowledge about the needs of a healthy grizzly population is growing as more and more administrators from a variety of jurisdictions work together to improve habitat for all species, humans included. In co-operation with Parks Canada, Dr. Mike Gibeau, one of Canada’s leading authorities on grizzlies and their environment, will accompany you for the entire six days. Mike has worked with bears in National Parks for the past 24 years, first as a Park Warden, and now as a biologist. You will enjoy a horseback adventure and share in a rare opportunity to spend time in some of Canada’s prime grizzly habitat with professional interpretation.
2001 RATES
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All the camps are of a similar set up. Simple luxuries abound:
wash stands and hot water, a fire pit for evening socializing, tales
and song, a large kitchen tent where meals are cooked and served,
plenty of "A" frame canvas tents which make for cozy accommodations,
and rustic rail corrals for the horses. Rivers flow nearby for the
fishermen or brave swimmers. 
DEPARTURES & RATES
5 DAY HIGH COUNTRY COLOR TENTING RIDE - SATURDAY DEPARTURES
DEPARTURES & RATES
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