Banff Expeditions

Introduction
Alberta Canada

The most challenging and rugged trips we offer in Banff are the Adventure Expedition rides, designed for the outdoor enthusiast. New camps are established daily as the expedition penetrates further into the mountains. You will visit isolated areas of Banff National Park that few have an opportunity to experience, and travel mountain passes and valleys that are of unsurpassed beauty. Here also is the opportunity to brush up on your camp "skills", pitch your tent, haul a bucket or two of water, and help gather fire wood. Guest participation is a very important part of these trips. A maximum of 8 guests are allowed on the moving trips and duffel is kept at a weight not exceeding 30 lbs.

Accomodation

Meals:  Although we can cater to some specialty diets, we do not cater specifically to vegetarian diets.  There are always plenty of meat-free options available. However we do not offer a “vegetarian” main course. 

Riding

Itinerary

New camps are established daily as the expedition penetrates further into the mountains. Each day your guide takes you to breath-taking lakes and mountain passes while your cook and packer ride on to set up a new campsite. Meals are cooked over an open fire and the animals are hobbled to graze overnight, this really is the next step in true wilderness experiences.
Our Expedition schedule offers many different routes, each one offering its own unique locations and scenery. This gives guests the opportunity to ride through country that is only ridden once or twice a year, as well as a chance to come back year after year and ride through new areas!

Expedition #1: Banff –Ya Ha Tinda   Dates 2010: July 1-6
Departs from Banff taking you to the Elk Trap, Dormer Pass, the Lower Panther River, Tyrell Creek and ends in Ya Ha Tinda
Expedition #2: Ya Ha Tinda-Banff   Dates 2010: July 8-13
Departs from Ya Ha Tinda taking you to Tyrell Creek, Lower Panther River, Dormer Pass, the Elk Trap and ends in Banff.
Expedition #3: Wildlife Monitoring   Dates 2010: July 15-20
Departs from Banff and travels up the Sundance Pass, to Eau Claire, Spray Lake, Assinibione Pass, Tall Timbers, Allenby Pass, Halfway Meadows and ends at Healy Creek.
Expedition #4: Johnston-Panther  Dates 2010: July 22-27
Departs from Johnston Creek taking you to Flints Park, North Cascade River, Panther Pass, the Upper Panther River, Harrison Lake, Sulphur Springs and ends at the Panther River.
Expedition #5: Panther-Johnston   Dates 2010: July 29-Aug 3
Departs from the Panther River taking you to Sulphur Springs, Harrison Lake, Upper Panther River, Panther Pass, North Cascade River, Flints park and ends at Johnston Creek.
Expedition #6: Johnston-South Molar Pass   Dates 2010: Aug 5-10
Departs from Upper Johnston Creek taking you to the Pulsatilla Pass, Baker Creek, Red Deer Lakes, Cyclone, South Molar Pass and ends at Mosquito Creek.
Expedition #7: South Molar Pass-Johnston   Dates 2010: Aug 12-17
Departs from Mosquito Creek taking you to South Molar Pass, Cyclone, Red Deer Lakes, Baker Creek, Pulsatilla Pass and ends at Upper Johnston Creek.
Expedition #8: Dolomite- Ya Ha Tinda   Dates 2010: Aug 19-24
Departs from the Dolomite Pass Taking you to Isabella Lake, Clearwater Pass, Devon Lakes, Clearwater Lake, Mallock Creek, Indian Head, Divide Pass, Red Deer River, Tyrell Creek and ends at Ya Ha Tinda.
Expedition #9: Ya Ha Tinda- Dolomite   Dates 2010: Aug 26-31
Departs from Ya Ha Tinda taking you to Tyrell Creek, Red Deer River, Divide Pass, Indian Head, Mallock Creek, Clearwater Lake, Devon Lakes, Clearwater Pass, Isabelle Lake and ends at Dolomite Pass.
Expedition #10: Wildlife Monitoring   Dates 2010: Sept 2-7
 Departs from Banff and travels up the Sundance Pass, to Eau Claire, the Spray Lake, Assinibione Pass, Tall Timbers, Allenby Pass, Halfway Meadows and ends at Healy Creek.
Expedition #11: Johnston-Banff   Dates 2010: Sept 9-14
Departs from Johnston Creek taking you to Badger Pass, Flints Park, Panther River and the Cascade Valley ending at Elk Lake Summit.
Expedition #12: Banff- Johnston   Dates 2010: Sept 16-21
Departs from Elk Lake Summit taking you along the Cascade Valley, Panther River, to Flints Park, Badger Pass and ending at Johnston Creek.
Expedition #13: Wildlife Monitoring   Dates 2010: Sept 23-28
Departs from Banff and travels up the Sundance Pass, to Eau Claire, the Spray Lake, Assinibione Pass, Tall Timbers, Allenby Pass, Halfway Meadows and ends at Healy Creek.
 

Tours #3, 10 and #13 - Wildlife Monitoring Trips.
The Adventure Expeditions are the most rugged type of trips we offer, there are no showers and in some of the camps there are no outhouses.  This ride sets up a new campsite each night in remote areas of the park. 

Wildlife Monitoring Trips
We are excited to offer you a unique Expedition trip through the Spray Valley wildlife corridor. In 1992 and 1993, the valley was designated a carnivore conservation area, restricting human access. This year, in cooperation with Parks Canada, we are pleased to offer a limited number of research trips through this area. You will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: with the help of wildlife researchers, guests will help document the behavior and any behavioral changes of bears and wolves as you pass through this corridor. Each group will be accompanied by a Parks Canada researcher.

You depart Thursday morning from the Healy Creek pack station and spend your first night at Halfway Meadows. The next morning you'll ride over Allenby Pass to the Tall Timbers camp to spend two nights. This layover allows time for one of several spectacular day rides. On day four you'll head down Bryant Creek, travel along the Spray Lake and spend the night at the Fortune camp. This area marks the beginning of the wildlife monitoring project. Day five takes you through the valley and is spent on wildlife research, overnight near the Eau Claire camp. The sixth morning of your trip will take you through the last stretch of the research area by way of Sundance Pass and down Sundance Creek, ending at our stables in Banff.
The special Expedition trip gives our guests the best of both worlds. It is designed for those who are specifically interested in the process of tracking and monitoring wildlife in the park, while still being able to travel through spectacular mountain scenery. Join us for an unforgettable trip!

Rates and Dates for Banff Expeditions

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Banff
Airport: Calgary
Transfer: Pick up: Banff at 8 AM - drop off at 4:30 PM

Climate:

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE

These are average temperatures at an elevation of 4852 feet.  Temperatures will drop at higher elevations.

When packing your gear, keep in mind it is being packed out on a mule and our animal's comfort is very important to us. By following these guidelines you can help us ensure that.

You must pack your gear in soft-sided, cloth or nylon bag. It can not have any hard edges, frames or wheels. Your gear is restricted to a Total maximum weight of 30 lbs (sleeping bag, thermorest pad, and your duffel). It's a good idea to line the inside of your bag with garbage bags for waterproofing. You may pack your sleeping bag and mattress separately from your other gear. Your coat, rain gear, hat and gloves are packed separately from your duffel and are either worn or tied with saddle strings to the back of your saddle. Saddlebags, rain gear and other essentials that you are taking on your horse with you are not included in the 30lb weight restriction.

If you would like to bring saddlebags please fill them with only those essential items that you would need during the day, such as lip balm, your camera, sunscreen, etc. We reserve the right to limit the amount of gear in the saddlebags for weight. Fanny packs (a small pack that ties around the waist) also work well. Daypacks, backpacks or other bags are NOT allowed -- they are hard on your back and hard on the horse's back, and do not tie properly to the saddle. We have a limited supply of saddlebags for rent for $2/day, however we suggest you book them early, as last year this was a popular service. These are available for pick up upon check in (sorry, no earlier), and are rented out on a cash only basis.

A maximum of 8 guests are allowed on the moving trips and duffel is kept at a weight not exceeding 30 lbs.

The following list details essential items to bring with you:

1.      A warm sleeping bag -- We recommend a bag rated to -15 degrees Celsius or 5 degrees Fahrenheit. You may not need one quite that warm, but it sure comes in handy if you do. To further keep you snug and warm, we also recommend that you bring a flannel sheet or non-bulky blanket that fits inside your sleeping bag.

2.      A treated canvas tarp -- used to wrap under and around your sleeping bag to help keep you warm and dry during the night. This can also be used during the day to waterproof your sleeping bag (see instructions below on how to make a bedroll). Tarps can often be found at army surplus stores. Heavy cotton found at a fabric store can be waterproofed and serve the same purpose. Although canvas tarps are what we use and recommend, you are welcome to bring the bedroll of your choice. We have a limited supply of 8'x10' treated canvas tarps for rent for $5/day. If you are interested in this service, please book early. These are available for pick up upon check in and are rented out on a cash only basis.

3.      A mattress -- A self-inflatable mattress (e.g. Thermarest) works the best to ensure a comfortable night's sleep. You will be sleeping on a wooden floor in your tent.

4.      A warm coat -- Essential to ward off chilly nights or a windy day. Also bring a heavy sweater (wool is a great insulator) or fleece jacket.

5.      Rain gear -- A rain coat and rain pants, and if possible, coverings for your boots and hat. Please DO NOT bring rain ponchos, they flap in the wind and spook the horses. If you have an oilskin slicker, we definitely recommend that you bring it. We have a limited number of full length oilskin slickers for rent for $7/day. If you are interested in this service, please book early. Slickers are available for pick up upon check in and are rented out on a cash only basis.

6.      Shirts -- 2 Sweatshirts, 1 long-sleeved shirt (turtleneck if you prefer) and 2 t-shirts. Adjust according to the length of your trip.

7.      Jeans -- We suggest one pair for riding in during the day and another pair for wearing around camp. Two pairs of jeans are all you should need on any of our trips. Also important is a pair of long underwear for chilly nights.

8.      Riding boots -- A boot with a heel that can easily slip in and out of stirrups. Alternatives would be a narrow style of hiking boot or solid sneaker. For safety reasons, clunky hiking boots are not recommended. Plastic bags inside your boots will help keep your feet dry on rainy days.

9.      Sneakers -- or an extra pair of shoes for wearing around camp. An extra pair of DRY socks is also recommended.

10.  Toiletries -- Towel, facecloth, biodegradable shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, disposable razors, etc. Please note that we do not have any electricity at the camps. WE SUPPLY TOILET PAPER AND HAND SOAP AT ALL CAMPS.

11.  Flashlight -- Remember to check your batteries!

12.  Hat -- A cowboy hat offers the most protection from the elements. Baseball caps or canvas-type hats are also fine.

13.  Gloves -- Lined leather or suede gloves provide protection from the elements and a sure grip on the reins (bring two pair just in case).

14.  Scarf -- A silk or cotton scarf/bandana is recommended for extra warmth.

15.  Sunscreen-- sunglasses and mosquito repellent are important as well.

16.  Your camera -- Don't forget extra film.

17.  Chaps -- If you have them, bring them.

18.  Liquor -- Please make sure that all bottled liquor is well-wrapped in plastic and placed in the middle of your duffel to prevent it from breaking. Plastic bottles are preferred. Please remember that alcohol is included in your 30 lb weight limit on your duffel (all camps are supplied by mule or pack horse).

19.  Cellular phones do not work in the areas you'll be riding in so leave them somewhere safe.

20.  Water bottle - for refreshment while you are riding.

EQUIPMENT RENTAL

It's a good idea to reserve ahead if you are interested in renting saddlebags or rain slickers. Saddle bags rent for $2 a day. Rain slickers rent for $7 a day.

Sleeping bags and ground mats are about $12 a day

http://www.snowtips-bactrax.com/bactrax/index.html

Cellular phones do not work in the areas you’ll be riding in so leave them somewhere safe.

When packing your gear, keep in mind it is being packed out on a mule and our animal’s comfort is very important to us.  By following these guidelines you can help us ensure that.

You must pack your gear in soft-sided, cloth or nylon bag.  It can not have any hard edges, frames or wheels. Your gear is restricted to a Total maximum weight of 30 lbs. (sleeping bag, thermorest pad, and your duffel). It’s a good idea to line the inside of your bag with garbage bags for waterproofing.  You may pack your sleeping bag and mattress separately from your other gear.  Your coat, rain gear, hat and gloves are packed separately from your duffel and are either worn or tied with saddle strings to the back of your saddle. Saddlebags, rain gear and other essentials that you are taking on your horse with you are not included in the 30lb weight restriction.
If you would like to bring saddlebags please fill them with only those essential items that you would need during the day, such as lip balm, your camera, sunscreen, etc.  We reserve the right to limit the amount of gear in the saddlebags for weight. Fanny packs (a small pack that ties around the waist) also work well.  Daypacks, backpacks or other bags are NOT allowed -- they are hard on your back and hard on the horse’s back, and do not tie properly to the saddle. 

We have a limited supply of saddlebags for rent for $2/day, however we suggest you book them early, as last year this was a popular service. These are available for pick up upon check in (sorry, no earlier), and are rented out on a cash only basis.