Explorer and Pack Trip

Introduction
British Columbia Canada
Pack Trip: A very special riding tour inside Tsylos Provincial Park, British Columbia. The park underlies very strict environmental rules making it a perfect setting for a wilderness trail-ride deep into the backcountry away from all civilization. The ‘Goat Camp Valley’ is rugged, wild and absolutely beautiful - home of the mighty Mountain Goat.
The photo opportunities are some of the best in the world, amidst rugged glaciers, mountain meadows, alpine flowers, crystal clear lakes and streams, and wildlife. The vistas and settings are too beautiful to put into words. Or you may explore the "Wild Potato Range" with breathtaking green alpine valleys, lakes and canyons.

Chilko Explorer: This trip was designed for the intermediate to advanced rider looking for an exciting riding adventure in breathtaking country while enjoying the comforts of a wilderness lodge at night. After an exhilarating day in the outdoors you can play volleyball or horse-shoes, relax in the whirlpool on the front porch overlooking the Chilko Valley; or just relax in front of the large wood-burning fireplace exchanging stories with your fellow riders. Exceptional meals and fine wines are served family style. One day during the week you will take part in a float trip down Chilko River or sightseeing boat ride up Chilko Lake.

Accomodation


Accommodation
This is a combination of our Chilko Explorer and Chilko Pack Trip tours so 7 nights will be spent in the lodge, 2 nights camping outside the lodge, and 5 nights camping in the wilderness.

Potato Range + Lodge Ride Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes
Night 1: Camp at the Lodge
Night 2: Camp near Fish Lake
Night 3-4: Camp near Echo Lake
Night 5: Camp near Tatlayoko Lake
Night 6: Camp near Choelquote Lake
Night 7: Camp at the Lodge
Night 8-14: Lodge

Goat Camp + Lodge Ride Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes
Night 1: Camp at the Lodge
Night 2: Camp near Moose Lagoon
Night 3-6: Goat Camp
Night 7: Camp at the Lodge
Night 8-14: Lodge



Camping
On the first and last night of this week long trip you are accommodated at the lodge, either in one of our cabins, or if not available, in our very comfortable tent camp near the lodge.

You will be sleeping in 2-person dome tents on a comfortable sleeping mat, which will be provided for you. You can also choose to lie beside the fire and watch the stars. Please remember to bring your own sleeping bag! You will experience authentic camping, meaning lakes and creeks for showering and shovels to dig a hole for washrooms. Camp chores, such as fire building, chopping wood, getting water, staking out horses, making lunches and salads, washing dishes, and setting up and breaking down camp are a group effort; we encourage everyone to lend a helping hand when needed.

Room Occupancy
No single supplement based on sharing a tent. Single tents can be requested, but we are limited to 2, so please let us know in advance.



Lodge
For this portion of the trip you will be staying at our Lodge and returning back home to a wonderful evening meal, cold drinks, time by the fireplace and a relaxing hot tub under the stars.
The wilderness log lodge provides a warm and welcoming gathering place to enjoy good times with your fellow travelers. Situated adjacent to the Chilko River, the location of the lodge and guest cabins all take advantage of offering you beautiful views of the river, valley, and the Coast Mountains.
We have 3 log cabins and 4 rooms in the lodge to accommodate up to 16 guests (a mix of riders, fly fishers, or bear viewers). Each unit is set up for 2 people and offers private bathrooms, comfortable beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and duvets, gas fireplaces, or a wood burning stove. The accommodations are very comfortable. There is daily maid service to ensure that your room or cabin is kept comfortable for your stay at the lodge.
The lodge hosts the dining area, the great room with a big stone fireplace, a fully stocked bar of beer, wine, and spirits, Jacuzzi, barbecue area and big decks. The lodge is a great place to share a drink, play a great game of cards, soak in the Jacuzzi overlooking the river, or take advantage of the big deck while viewing millions of stars. Of course an option is to sit by the roaring fire sharing a great story of the day. Canoes and kayaks are also available for use.
Please note there is no cell phone reception or WIFI. We have a laundry machine available and clothesline at the lodge, which can be used in the evening- otherwise the cabin attendant can do laundry for a small fee.

Room Occupancy
Single supplement will include a private room but may have a shared bathroom with the same gender during the lodging week.


Meals
All meals are included in this trip from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on your last day.



Meals at Camps
Our campfire gourmet meals are prepared over an open fire and are delicious and plentiful. The morning’s meal is a hearty Canadian breakfast of bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes, eggs benedict, or our famous Chilko scramble, all cooked over a camp fire. Lunch is packed in your saddle bags and is made up of sandwiches along with an apple or orange and a candy bar. Dinner is a fresh salad, vegetable, meat, pasta, rice or potato. Everything is packed with us on our steady pack horses. We also take a mini bar which is chosen prior to leaving the lodge. It is beautiful to get to camp after a gorgeous ride for the day, get your home away from home set up, the horses staked out, and enjoy a glass of wine while dinner sizzles over the campfire.



Meals at the Lodge
Life at the lodge is focused around the great outdoors. The gathering of everyone for meals is a special time of the day. We serve all meals at the lodge "family style."
Wonderful Canadian breakfasts as well as fresh fruits, cereals, yogurts, and juices are served before you active day on the river, lake or trail.
Lunch is spent streamside, on top of a mountain, or wherever your wanderings have taken you, giving you total freedom throughout the day.
The evening meal is especially nice. After a great day, everyone can relax with a good dinner, a glass of wine, and great company, sharing stories from their adventures. Wonderful meat dishes, breads, salads, pastas, vegetables, delicious desserts and table wines are served. This is all "no guilt" eating, as your active day ahead needs the energy!
Another highlight is a fully stocked bar located within the lodge where you can purchase drinks for an extra fee. It is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine or cocktail while you sample tasty appetizers made by the in house chef. The bar is fully stocked with an assortment of spirits, beer and wines.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to vegetarians with prior notice.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Experience
All riders must be physically fit, able to mount and dismount both sides of a horse, walk, trot, canter, and saddle up.

Wild Potato Range
This trip requires intermediate to advanced riding skills. The riding is primarily walking due to the terrain, but for the last two days the camp is transported by vehicle which offers the riders some opportunities to trot and canter depending on the group. On one day during the trip, you will hike down a steep mountain leading your horse for about 45 minutes. Rides each day are from 4.5- 6.5 hours per day.

Goat Camp Wilderness
This trip requires low intermediate to advanced riding skills. The majority of the trip is spent walking your horse, due to the rough terrain, except the last day back to the Lodge where there is some trotting and cantering. Rides range from 9-10 hours the first day and 4-6 hours daily the rest of the trip.

Lodge Ride
Rides are from 10-25 km longs and are from 4 -6 hours in duration. Our daily rides from the lodge offer a variety of excellent riding experiences. Explore the Chilcotin Plateau, which offers open grasslands, rolling hills, numerous small lakes, adjacent mountain peaks with unmatched vistas and a couple of hundred miles of riding trails. Tree riding is a big part of your week. We like to take some of our exciting windy trails at a fast trot or slow canter; we even named one of our rides as the "roller coaster". It is great for stretching your ability and improving your confidence. It is a lot of fun and we know that you will love it! 



Horses
Our horses are well trained and excellent traveling companions in the mountains. Born and raised in the Chilcotin, they are connected with the terrain and are confident, sure footed and dependable. We are proud of our horses and can easily say that they are some of the most accomplished mountain horses anywhere. You will love them. They are personable, trustworthy, and know how to do their job. The horses are a mixture of many different breeds (Quarter, Arab, Draft, Appaloosa, Paints, Morgan) and they have been chosen for their disposition, willingness and agreeable personalities.

We match you up with a horse that suits your personality and riding ability. Each horse comes with two saddle blankets, Western saddle, bridle, halter, lead rope and a set of saddle bags for you to carry light-weight items needed during the day. Your horse will take good care of you on your journey and, in turn, you will help take of your horse. Your horse will appreciate a good brushing in the morning and at the end of the day when you pull off your saddle. You are going to find that you will quickly bond with your horse. We all work together to ensure that the horses have plenty of sweet mountain grasses to eat and cold spring water to drink. Your horse trail guide will stake, hobble or free range the horses in the evening on meadows of excellent alpine grasses.

Pack Horses
We use pack horses to carry our food and supplies into the mountains. Each pack horse has a special pack saddle and we use the traditional “sawbuck pack saddle”.  Each horse carries a set of pack boxes which hold the food and cooking gear, plus two tents and three duffel bags. To secure the load and keep the packs dry, we cover the load with a tarp and secure it using the “Michigan Hitch”, a tried and true method of keeping the pack nice and tight. Usually three to five pack horses accompany us on a trip. Of course, this depends on the size of the group.

Guides
Two trail guides will be accompanying you on your horse journey through the mountains.  Both guides are skilled horsemen, as well as experienced in horse riding in the mountains and wilderness. They love the outdoors and have absolute commitment to safety and attention to detail to give you peace of mind and a rewarding adventure. Each guide brings different skills and talents to the trip. One guide is in charge of the group, horses, horse packing, wood, water, fire, and grass, while the other guide is in charge of the camp, food preparation, packing of the cook boxes, and the care, organization, and cleanliness of the camp.  Each horse trail guide can step into the others position and help you or each other during the trip. 

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary: Potato Range & Lodge Ride - subject to changes

The Wild Potato Mountains offer a multitude of different kind of scenery and riding styles: Ride through high alpine plateaus, hidden valleys, deep mountain passes, and open sandy beaches. Enjoy the splendid views, the immense variety of wildflowers, ancient fossil beds, and the companionship of your fellow riders.
The First Nation's Legend says that a woman once traveled across this range of mountains planting wild potatoes, thus the name "Potato Range". This circular trip combines the spectacular beauty of the Coast Range Mountains as well as the faster riding of the Chilcotin Plateau. Our explorations will take us from one spectacular campsite to another. Each camp is nestled adjacent to a pristine lake. We change camps all but one day. The riding speed is primarily at a walk until the last two days where we will do some trotting and cantering. On the last two days we drop down to the Tatlayoko Valley, and the camp is met by the truck. The truck transports the camp so we are able to canter the last couple of days of the trip. This is a beautiful trip, with amazing vistas and blankets of wildflowers!

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
A 9:30am charter flight takes you from Vancouver across the magnificent glaciers of the coastal mountains to Chilko Lake, where our host will greet you at the private landing strip of the ranch. After lunch, we will brief on the trip and gear (saddlebags, duffle bags, sleeping mats and tents). Later meet the horses and have a short introductory ride. After dinner time, to repack your duffle bags for the trail ahead.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in tents near the Lodge

Day 2 (Monday): Ride to Fish Lake
Head out from the ranch, climbing about 4,000 feet to the high alpine, with views of Chilko Lake and the Coast Mountains. Camp is by a small lake hidden in the valley, where you can swim or fish for small trout.
Riding: ~ 5.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping by Fish lake

Day 3 (Tuesday): Fish Lake to Echo Lake
From Fish Lake you continue climbing to higher alpine plateaus and cross over to Echo Lake. The camp is situated on the shores of small lake and overlooks the Echo Valley. The lake is cold, but great for swimming. Stay here for two nights. 
Riding: ~ 4 -5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping by Echo lake

Day 4 (Wednesday): Rest day at Echo lake
This is a free day and you can choose to spend the day in camp relaxing, hiking, or join the ride and explore the neighboring mountains. Take a nap on the side of an alpine meadow surrounded by majestic mountains and alpine wildflowers. If conditions are good, there may be a small amount of cantering on the ride.
Riding: ~ 4.5- 6.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping by Echo lake

Day 5 (Thursday): Echo Lake to Tatlayoko Lake
Pack up camp and head north with Stunning views and changing scenery. The countryside changes from mountain valleys to softer slopes, and descends about 4,000 feet into Tatlayoko Valley.  At the steepest part of the descent you will be asked to hike down the mountain for about 30 minutes to assist your horse. Camp is located adjacent to Tatlayoko Lake, ideal for swimming. Tatlayoko Lake and valley is a small ranching community. On Thursday the trip meets the truck, and all gear is transported by vehicle from here. This means there may be possibilities for some canters on the last two days.  
Riding: ~ 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping by Tatlayoko Lake

Day 6 (Friday): Tatlayoko Lake to Choelquote Lake
Camp is packed by vehicle and you ride through Lincoln pass to Choelquote Lake. If conditions allow, there may be some canters. Choelquote Lake is a warmer mountain lake and offers beautiful sunsets and open grasslands along the eastern part of the lake.
Riding: ~ 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping by Choelquote Lake

Day 7 (Saturday): Choelquote Lake to Ranch
Camp is packed and taken by vehicle to the lodge whilst you saddle up and ride along Choelquote Lake, crossing the Chilko River by bridge. Travel along the Chilko River which, if conditions allow, offers nice canters throughout the ride. Arrive back at the lodge where camp has been set up for you. Time for a hot shower, soak in the Jacuzzi and a cold beer or drink on the decks prior to the barbecue.
Riding: ~ 5.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in tents near the Lodge

Day 8 (Sunday): Rest Day at the Ranch
A day for rest and relaxation. Afternoon ride.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in the Lodge

Day 9 (Monday): Ride to Green Lake
After breakfast, we ride through fir forests to Green Lake. Along the way we stop for a picnic at the lake. In the afternoon there are some wonderful opportunities to canter on soft forest trails.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in the Lodge

Day 10 (Tuesday): Chilko River Ride
Today’s ride is along the Chilko River and through the forests. A mix of walking, trotting, and some great canters.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in the Lodge

Day 11 (Wednesday): Mount Tulin Ride
We ride up the steep trails of Mount Tulin. The ride takes us through magnificent fir forests to the timberline. From the summit it takes a 20-minute hike to reach the top of the mountain. Soak in the panorama of the Coast Mountains and 55 mile long Chilko Lake with its turquoise waters and the breathtaking beauty of Tsylos Park.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in the Lodge

Day 12 (Thursday): Chilko Lake Ride
One day during your stay, the riders will head up beautiful Chilko Lake. Pristine Chilko Lake is the largest natural high mountain lake in North America. Surrounded by glaciers, rugged towering peaks, roaring creeks and rivers, waterfalls, and of course the wildlife. Due to the glacial silt, Chilko Lake has a gorgeous turquoise coloring. The views, whether looking down on her or up from her, are unbelievable. You might have a chance to visit the old mining cabin at Franklin Arm and hike up to the waterfalls, or hike to a secluded glacial lake.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in the Lodge

Day 13 (Friday): Rollercoaster Ride
We enjoy many brisk canters across the Chilcotin plateau and along the Chilko river. Advanced riders will enjoy the "rollercoaster" rides on narrow, windy forest trails. Due to the fast pace of these rides you have to be able to develop a good feeling and communicate well with your horse. It is excellent for stretching your riding abilities and building your confidence. Both the horse and rider find it fun and challenging. But not to worry, the horses are well trained and easily controllable. We stop for a nice picnic by the river with its fast flowing waters.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in the Lodge

Day 14 (Saturday): Henry's crossing Ride
A brisk ride takes you along the Chilko river to Henry's crossing. Enjoy a well deserved lunch break on the only bridge that spans the river. In September you can watch natives fishing for salmon here. In the afternoon we canter along the east side of the river to Canoe Crossing always with the whole mountain range in clear view. The horses swim across the river and freely gallop home while a boat ride takes you back to the ranch. In the evening a fabulous farewell dinner with barbecue awaits you.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in the Lodge

Day 15 (Sunday): Departure
After an early morning breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Vancouver, or join us at the lodge for another week of a seven night lodge riding vacation, or fly fishing trip. Do not book a flight out before 3:30pm!
Meals included: Breakfast



Sample Itinerary: Goat Camp & Lodge Ride - subject to changes

We travel along the shores of Chilko Lake , before we climb up to our Goat Camp base at 6,500 feet. Rugged peaks surround the valley and tower at about 10,000 feet. From the base camp we spend the next few days exploring the awesome and rugged beauty of Goat Camp.  This trip offers plenty of time to relax, hike, photograph wildflowers, and wildlife. Mountain Goat, Mule Deer, Bear, and Mountain Marmots make their home here.  Goat Camp is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. After exploring by horseback the many mountain peaks and valleys, you return to base camp in time to enjoy a glass of wine, watch the stars come out over the valley, and listen to the tinkling of the horse bells as the munch happily in this spectacular mountain valley. The majority of the trip is walking, due to the terrain except the last day back to the Lodge where there is some trotting and cantering!! The majority of the trip is walking, due to the terrain and the packhorses, except the last day back to the Lodge where there is some trotting and cantering!

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
A 9:30am charter flight takes you from Vancouver across the magnificent glaciers of the coastal mountains to Chilko Lake, where our host will greet you at the private landing strip of the ranch. After lunch and a short introduction you get a chance to test your horse on a 2-hour ride. Upon return some cool drinks on the porch and then a delicious dinner with fine wines await you.
Riding: ~ 2 hours
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in tents near the Lodge

Day 2 (Monday): Ride to Moose Lagoon
In the morning, you start your pack trip which will eventually be returning in the afternoon of day seven after spending 6 days in pristine wilderness. The ride goes high up into Goat Country. It is rugged, wild and absolutely beautiful! You ride along Chilko Lake for the day spending the first night at Moose Lagoon.
Riding: ~ 9-10 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping by Moose Lagoon

Day 3 - 6 (Tuesday to Friday): Ride through Goat Valley
Then you cut up into the Goat Valley where you spend four unforgettable days riding over mountain tops and through breathtaking valleys. Towering 11,000 foot peaks surround the base camp with three large glaciers rising out of the valley floor at the south end. No roads, no phones, the perfect get-away and a chance to get back to the essentials of life. The abundance of alpine flowers throughout the valleys and surrounding mountains is overwhelming. The whistle of the plentiful marmots accompany you on each day to new mountain peaks and wild valleys. Goat Camp is named after the majestic Mountain Goats that call this area home. Often wild deer visit you in camp to nibble on the grain. We use a pioneer tent with cook stove, table and benches for a warm, relaxing evening dinner. We might tell some tales while sitting by a roaring bonfire watching the many stars or the Northern Lights. This trip offers plenty of time to relax, hike, photograph wildflowers or wildlife.
Riding: ~ 4-6 hours per day
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping

Day 7 (Saturday): Ride back to Ranch
If the group so desires, the last day offers an optional fast return ride to the lodge on Saturday.
Riding: ~ 4-6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 8 (Sunday): Rest day
A day for rest and relaxation. Afternoon ride.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 9 (Monday):
After breakfast we ride through fir forests to Green Lake. Along the way we stop for a picnic at the lake. In the afternoon there are some wonderful opportunities to canter on soft forest trails.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 10 (Tuesday): Chilko River Ride
Today’s ride is along the Chilko River and through the forests. A mix of walking, trotting, and some great canters.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 11 (Wednesday): Mount Tulin Ride
We ride up the steep trails of Mount Tulin. The ride takes us through magnificent fir forests to the timberline. From the summit it takes a 20-minute hike to reach the top of the mountain. Soak in the panorama of the Coast Mountains and 55 mile long Chilko Lake with its turquoise waters and the breathtaking beauty of Tsylos Park.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 12 (Thursday): Chilko Lake Ride
One day during your stay the riders will head up beautiful Chilko Lake. Pristine Chilko Lake is the largest natural high mountain lake in North America. Surrounded by glaciers, rugged towering peaks, roaring creeks and rivers, waterfalls, and of course the wildlife. Due to the glacial silt, Chilko Lake has a gorgeous turquoise coloring. The views, whether looking down on her or up from her, are unbelievable. You might have a chance to visit the old mining cabin at Franklin Arm and hike up to the waterfalls, or hike to a secluded glacial lake.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 13 (Friday): Rollercoaster Ride
We enjoy many brisk canters across the Chilcotin plateau and along the Chilko river. Advanced riders will enjoy the "rollercoaster" rides on narrow, windy forest trails. Due to the fast pace of these rides you have to be able to develop a good feeling and communicate well with your horse. It is excellent for stretching your riding abilities and building your confidence. Both the horse and rider find it fun and challenging. But not to worry, the horses are well trained and easily controllable. We stop for a nice picnic by the river with its fast flowing waters.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 14 (Saturday): Henry's crossing Ride
A brisk ride takes you along the Chilko river to Henry's crossing. Enjoy a well deserved lunch break on the only bridge that spans the river. In September you can watch natives fishing for salmon here. In the afternoon we canter along the east side of the river to Canoe Crossing always with the whole mountain range in clear view. The horses swim across the river and freely gallop home while a boat ride takes you back to the ranch. In the evening a fabulous farewell dinner with barbecue awaits you.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 15 (Sunday): Departure
After an early morning breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Vancouver, or join us at the lodge for another week of a seven night lodge riding vacation, or fly fishing trip. Do not book a flight out before 3:30pm!
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Explorer and Pack Trip

Dates Note: Sun-Sun

Other Info
Meeting: Chilko Lake
Airport: Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Transfer: South Terminal Signature Building

Climate:
                                            Alexis Creek area