Porcupine Hills Cow Camp

Introduction
Alberta Canada

Nestled in the rolling Porcupine Hills in southern Alberta, this is an authentic working cattle ranch. Join the wranglers to round up cattle in the Porcupine Hills or round up and drive cattle on the home ranch. Enjoy wide open and awe-inspiring space of the prairies to the east, and the foothills of the Rockies to the west. Each morning guests are greeted by a hearty ranch-style breakfast. Wake up to the smell of coffee brewing, hear the bacon and eggs sizzling over the open fire - the warmth of easy conversation and laughter will draw you close around the table. During the days you will round up cattle in the beautiful Porcupine Hills - only suited for people with some riding experience and thirst for adventure.

Accomodation

Guests stay in a comfortable tent camps away from the Ranch House in the beautiful Porcupine Hills.  The tents are 12 X 14 and able to easily handle two people with lots of room for there gear as well.


                                   
Accommodation at the ranch  is within the main ranch house Guest quarters are upstairs on a private floor. There are 2 spacious double bedrooms that share a bathroom; a third large bedroom, with ensuite abthroom, can accommodate 4 persons. Each room looks out and over the bold and beautiful landscape.
Outside a cedar hot tub completes the picture of a great way to cool your heels before climbing into the rack for one of the best and well earned sleeps you have ever had.

 

Meals are always a highlight at the ranch. The ranch raised beef, fresh produce, and scrumptious home-made baking always keeps guests anticipating their next meal. Don't expect to diet here! Seems the fresh air, ranch activities, and different pace (relaxation) take the appetite to a new dimension.

We do not carry to Vegan diets.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

In order for guests to enjoy one of our Western Cow Camp experiences, they should have at least intermediate riding experience and be able to ride for long periods of time. The terrain is varied as is the pace but most of the riding is done at a walk or trot. Cantering or galloping is only done when necessary to bring the cattle back into line or keep them going in the right direction.

Itinerary

Porcupine Hills Cow Camp weeks:
Long hours in the saddle and lots of cattle work in a wonderfully scenic setting, highlight this adventure.
After spending a night at the home ranch, you move out to the cow camp in the Porcupine hills. A fixed base camp if your home for the next days. A usual day would see everyone in the saddle by 9:30 AM and back to camp around 5:00 PM.
For the first day, however, everyone is in the saddle by 11:00 AM returning to camp at 6:30 or 7 PM. A mid-day break is taken for lunch (which is packed along. Breakfast & Supper are served at camp.
The last night of your adventure will be back at the ranch lodge where a hot shower, barbecue steak dinner and campfire with entertainment will be waiting for you after your final days ride.

Ranch weeks have a full riding program with 5 to 7 hours in the saddle each day. You take part in daily ranch activities, which may include riding with your hosts to check cattle, participate in cattle drives, roundup, branding, fence mending and calving.
Guests are often amazed at how eager ranching neighbours are willing to help each other. For instance,  in the springtime Keith can often be seen arriving at the neighbours with a truckload of guests - the spring  is "branding" time and this activity always requires extra help to gather, corral, rope and hold cattle. While many guests choose to observe, others, with Keith's able mentoring can't wait to get their hands dirty.
After hours, guests often gather around the campfire or indoors in the family room, around the piano or TV and VCR. Stories are traded, experiences embellished and it is not uncommon for a song or two to be heard, as the Lane's entertain guests and encourage them to join in on a session or two. A library and board games are available also. Outside a cedar hot tub completes the picture of a great way to cool your heels before climbing into the rack for one of the best and well earned sleeps you have ever had.

Rates and Dates for Porcupine Hills Cow Camp

Dates Note: Sun-Sat

Other Info
Meeting: Ranch at Granum
Airport: Calgary, Alberta
Transfer: Calgary Airport Pick up between 2-4 PM (Meeting Place 'C') and Drop off at airport 12 noon.

Climate:

Lethbridge, South Alberta, -  Altitude: 929m - 

Sleeping bags are Provided, client's do not need to bring their own!!

You can count on personalized service, gentle quality horses and a complete supply of tack. Riding boots are required; slickers are recommended. For camps in June and September long underwear and a hot water bottle are useful. Also, on camp trips bring a duffel bag to pack along; extra luggage can be stored at the ranch. Bug spray can be purchased in Alberta.