Banff National Park, Alberta  Canada
Wilderness Tenting Pack Rides

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.
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.

RTAB11
2008 Rates: All inclusive from Banff
plus GST 2.5% (5% for Canadian residents) and Park user fee per night $10

6 Days/ 5 Nights from $ 1183-$1,377
Dates: June 29 - Sep 21 Wednesday dept.
 check availability
5 Days/ 4 Nights from $ 997-$1,159
Dates: June 25-Sep 17  Saturday dept.
 check availability
4 Days/ 3 Nights from $ 807-$936
Dates: June 27 to Sep 19  Monday depart.
 check availability
3 Days/ 2 Nights from $ 612-$709
Dates: July 1 to Sep 23 Friday dept.

   Detailed Rates and Dates
  also see our
    Special Interpretive Rides  for 2008

You need to bring your sleeping bag and water bottle. 
Pace: slow, intermediate riding level
Tack: Western
Group size: 3-25
Note:  the trips 10C-19C are now "Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies" member rides. You are welcome to join
this historical non-for-profit organization on any of their trips. Each trip is subject to a US$110 fee to offset additional costs for camp coordinator, musicians, skit nights, and membership fee with the TRCR (historical package, newsletters, TRCR pin).

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. 

see Map of Tent Camps

see General Information

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.
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. 

see General Information

Special Interpretive Rides in 2008