These trips explore some of Banff National Park's most spectacular back country. Join us on this 6-day Wilderness Tenting Ride in the Cascade Valley.

The 6-day trip departs on Wednesdays, stays two nights in Stoney Creek, two nights in Flints Park and one night in Mystic. Each camp on the circuit offer particular charms. Stoney Creek Camp has the rugged, sculptured peaks of the Palliser Range as a backdrop. Flints Park Camp features open vistas and starry nights. Mystic, with its stands of tall old trees covered with hanging moss and open grassy slides, is set in a truly mystical location.

Specific dates for trips are listed below, please be sure to look over them carefully and choose the date that works best for you. When choosing date on availability calendar, be sure to choose the starting date for your vacation.

This rate is only for the months of June, July and August. For this same event in September, please order 6-Day Wilderness Tenting Horseback Ride from Banff-September. Sorry, no children allowed on September trips - they are for ADULTS ONLY.

6-Day Wilderness Tenting Horseback Rides from Banff Length: 6 days  Prices - including tax Our Retail Rate: $1,807.95 Our Internet Rate: $1,707.95 Savings: $100.00 Time: 8:30 am check-in -Wednesdays -June, July and August **For the 6-Day rides in September, please order 6-Day Wilderness Tenting Horseback Ride from Banff-September. Sorry, no children allowed on September trips - they are for ADULTS ONLY. See below for links to two special event 6-day rides in August - "Year of the Grizzly" and "Mountain Ecosystem Interpretive Horseback Ride."  Summary: Hotel pickup and transportation to the check-in point in Banff are NOT included. Rates are per person in US dollars and include taxes. There is no child discount for this tour. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-307-6197. ** You will receive an E-Ticket for your tour/activity. We attempt to provide your E-Ticket within 72 hours (if your tour/activity is in less than 10 days). If your tour/activity is within the next 72 hours, your E-Ticket will be processed as quickly as possible. You will need to print your E-Ticket at www.reserve123.com/tickets; you must have your E-Ticket, or you will be charged again with no refund. There is a $3.95 processing fee per order. This is a flat fee regardless of the number of tickets or tours purchased on an order.

2008 Departure Dates

June: 25
July: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
August: 6 & 20

PLEASE NOTE - We also offer two special event 6-Day rides in August. On August 13, join Dave Day for a Canadian Rocky Mountain ecosystem wilderness classroom adventure. For this tour, please order Mountain Ecosystem Interpretive Horseback Ride in Banff. And, on August 27, Dr. Mike Gibeau hosts his annual interpretive trip to study the Grizzly Bear and its habitat. For that special tour, please order Year of the Grizzly Horseback Trip from Banff.

The Camps

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...

The 6-day trip departs on Wednesdays and stays stays two nights in Stoney Creek, two nights in Flints Park and one night in Mystic.

Important Notes

With a herd numbering over 300 horses, we can accommodate just about anyone but please note that some restrictions on age and weight may apply.

Check-in is in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Transportation to Banff is not included in this tour. After check-in, you will be taken to our pack station by van, where you will meet your guide, who will explain some basic trail riding guidelines.

Banff is only 80 miles (130 km) west of the Calgary International Airport and is easily accessible by shuttle bus or rental car. Shuttles depart 7 days a week from the airport, three times daily. It is important to call to confirm all shuttle departure times and prices. Most major car rental agencies have offices at the airport. Your extra luggage and valuables may be left in our care in Banff. You can leave your vehicle at our stables (directions given upon check-in). We do not recommend leaving anything of value in your car while on your trip.

The Canadian Goods & Services Tax is included in your ticket price. Also included in the ticket price is a $50.00 Parks Canada backcountry user fee. This fee is to help offset the costs of maintaining a national park visited and used by over 2 million travelers every year. Your contribution will help to cover trail maintenance and repair, warden services, wildlife monitoring, and public information and safety.

We strongly recommend that you purchase travel, health, and cancellation insurance. Each rider will be required to sign a liability waiver. Safety experts recommend hard hats and narrow boots.

Gratuities - not included in your ticket price - are customary and very much appreciated.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - 6 DAY TENTING RIDE - Wednesday Departures

Day 1 - The riders meet at our office at 8:30 am 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 bedrolls, 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.

Day 5 - Once again, riders roll up their bedrolls in preparation for the ride to the Mystic Valley Camp. At this time, 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 pm.

What to Bring

It is essential that our guests be prepared for all kinds of mountain weather. We have had many years of personal experience dealing with Mother Nature up here, so please take our list to heart! Mother Nature can be unpredictable up here in the mountains, so our guests need to come prepared for every type of weather. Clothing that is easily layered works the best. You can always remove what you don't need, but you still have it just in case. Also, bring your most comfortable gear -- this is not the time to break-in new boots or a new hat.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE
May: High...14C/57F...Low...2C/34F
June: High...19C/66F...Low...5C/41F
July: High...22C/71F...Low...7C/45F
August: High...22C/70F...Low...7C/44F
September: High...16C/60F...Low...3C/38F
October: High...10C/50F...Low...-1C/31F
These are average temperatures at an elevation of 4538 feet. Temperatures will drop at higher elevations.

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

You must pack your gear in a 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 POUNDS (sleeping bag, thermorest pad, and your duffel). It's a good idea to line the inside of your bag with garbage bags for waterproofing. 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 30 lbs weight restriction.

If you would like to bring saddlebags (we don't supply them), please fill them only with 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.

The length of your trip will alter what you need to bring. The list below details ESSENTIAL items ideal for a 6-day trip.

- A warm sleeping bag -- We recommend a bag rated to -15 degrees Celsius or 5 degrees Fahrenheit. You may not need it, 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.
- 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.
- A mattress -- A self-inflatable mattress (e.g. Thermorest) works the best to ensure a comfortable night's sleep.
- A warm coat -- Essential to ward off chilly nights or a windy day. Also bring a heavy sweater (wool is a great insulator) or a fleece jacket.
- Rain gear -- A raincoat 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 one, we recommend an oilskin slicker.
- Shirts -- 2 Sweatshirts, 1 long-sleeved shirt (turtleneck if you prefer) and 2 t-shirts.
- Jeans -- We suggest one pair for riding in over the six days and one other pair for wearing around various camps at night. Also important is a pair of long underwear for chilly nights.
- 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 can help to keep your feet dry on rainy days.
- Sneakers -- or an extra pair of shoes for wearing around camp, an extra pair of DRY socks is also recommended.
- 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.
- Flashlight -- Remember to check your batteries!
- Hat -- A cowboy hat offers the most protection from the elements. Baseball caps or canvas-type hats are also fine. Please ensure that your hat fits snug and will not blow off in the wind,
- Gloves -- Lined leather or suede gloves provide protection from the elements and a sure grip on the reins (bring two pair just in case one gets wet).
- Scarf -- A silk or cotton scarf is recommended for extra warmth.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and mosquito repellent.
- Your camera -- Don't forget extra film.
- 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 pack canned beer separate from your duffel. Canned mix and beer is available for sale in all of the camps. Please remember that alcohol is included in your 30 lbs weight limit.
- Water bottle -- for refreshment while you are riding. - Cellular phones do not work in the areas where you'll be riding, so leave them somewhere safe.

This rate is only for the months of June, July and August. For this same event in September, please order 6-Day Wilderness Tenting Horseback Rides from Banff - September.

Hotel pickup and transportation to the check-in point in Banff are NOT included. Rates are per person in US dollars and include taxes. There is no child discount for this tour. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-307-6197.