Click here for Banff and Canadian Rockies western adventures, horseback riding, pack trips,stage coach, sleigh rides, backcountry pack trips and unique accommodations.
Horseback trail rides, vacations and pack trips in Jasper National Park.

Wilderness Tenting Rides

	4, 5, & 6-day Wilderness Tenting Pack Rides	3-day Mystic Valley Pack Rides
	Interpretive and Park History Pack Rides	High Country Pack Rides

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.

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. 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.

4, 5, & 6-day Wilderness Tenting Pack Ride Itinerary

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.

4 DAY WILDERNESS TENTING RIDE

MONDAY DEPARTURES -

June $512.00 CDN (approx. $340.00 USD) July, August $582.00 CDN (approx. $380.00 USD)

6 DAY WILDERNESS TENTING RIDE

WEDNESDAY DEPARTURES - $886.00 CDN (approx. $580.00 USD)

5 DAY WILDERNESS TENTING RIDE

SATURDAY DEPARTURES -June - $634.00 CDN (approx. $415.00 USD)
July, August - $736.00 CDN (approx. $480.00 USD)

3 DAY MYSTIC VALLEY (TENTING) RIDE

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.

3 DAY MYSTIC VALLEY (TENTING)

FRIDAY DEPARTURES -June - $380.00 CDN (approx. $250.00 USD)
July, August $445.00 CDN (approx. $295.00 USD)

6 DAY INTERPRETIVE PACK RIDE
Wilderness Tenting Rides with a big difference!

Featuring Interpretive Guide and Environmental Science Consultant
David L. Day, B.A., M.Sc.

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.

6 DAY INTERPRETIVE RIDE

WEDNESDAY DEPARTURES
15B - $992.00 (approx. $650.00 USD)
18B - $872.00 CDN (approx. $570.00 USD)

"LEGENDS OF THE ROCKIES" 6 DAY RIDE

Featuring Banff Author and Historian
E.J. "Ted" Hart, M.A.

The "Legends of the Rockies Ride" will appeal to those who like a good dose of stories, legends and tall tales about the pioneers of the Rockies who rode these trails in yesteryear. Tom Wilson, Bill Peyto, Jimmy Simpson and others who have made history in this park will be brought to life by the man who has studied and written about their exploits for the last quarter-century.

Ted Hart has been associated with Banff's Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies for almost thirty years and has published such books as Diamond Hitch, the early outfitters and guides of Banff and Jasper; Jimmy Simpson, Legend of the Rockies, and Ain't it Hell, Bill Peyto's "Mountain Journal."

Ted's knowledge of and involvement in the area's recent history (he is the former Mayor of Banff) will make for an unforgettable experience for those wishing to understand the story behind the Rockies' unparalleled scenery.

"LEGENDS OF THE ROCKIES" 6 DAY RIDE

WEDNESDAY DEPARTURES - $992.00 CDN (approx. $650.00 USD)

AUTUMN WILDERNESS TENTING RIDES

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.

3 DAY MYSTIC HIGH COUNTRY COLOR (TENTING) RIDE

FRIDAY DEPARTURES - $380.00 CDN (approx. $250.00 USD)

4 DAY HIGH COUNTRY COLOR (TENTING) RIDE

MONDAY DEPARTURES - $512.00 CDN (approx. $335.00 USD)

5 DAY HIGH COUNTRY COLOR (TENTING) RIDE

SATURDAY DEPARTURES - $634.00 CDN (approx. $415.00 USD)

6 DAY HIGH COUNTRY COLOR (TENTING) RIDE

WEDNESDAY DEPARTURES - $766.00 CDN (approx. $500.00 USD)

Click here for Banff and Canadian Rockies western adventures, horseback riding, pack trips,stage coach, sleigh rides, backcountry pack trips and unique accommodations.
Horseback trail rides, vacations and pack trips in Jasper National Park.