Ride through the Mystic Valley

Explore some of Banff National Park's most spectacular backcountry! The wilderness tenting rides are perfect for those who enjoy being outdoors but are also looking for a vacation without the stress of planning a camping trip - meals are cooked for you, tents are already set up, you can be as involved or as laid back as you want!

These trips make camping easy! All of the camps are of a similar set-up; simple luxuries include wash stands and hot water, treated drinking water, a fire pit for evening campfires, a large kitchen tent where meals are cooked and served, plenty of "A" frame canvas tents with wooden floors which make for cozy accommodations and rustic rail corrals for the horses. Rivers flow nearby for the fishermen or brave swimmers. Each camp is also set up with an electric wildlife fence around the campsite, so there is no worrying about curious critters in the middle of the night! A full time cook in each camp prepares the meals; the kitchen tent warms up nicely with a hot wood-burning stove and offers plenty of seating/table room for socializing or card games. Flints Park camp even offers a hot shower for a quick rinse mid-way through your trip!

Each of the 3 camps on the circuit offers 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.

This rate is only for the month of September. For this same event in July and August, please order 3-Day Mystic Valley Tenting Horseback Ride from Banff-July & August.

2009 Departure Dates

~ September 4 to 6
~ September 11 to 13
~ September 18 to 20

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 two nights in Stoney Creek, two nights in Flints Park and one night in Mystic.

Important Notes

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.

It is strongly recommended 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.

Itinerary
Day 1 - Meet at 8:30 am and be transported by van to the trailhead corral at Mount Norquay. There you will be met by your 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 - Roll up your 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 riders. Wildlife is commonly seen and photographed in this area.

Day 3 - Once again, roll up your bedrolls in preparation for the ride to the Mystic Valley Camp. At this time, you will have the opportunity to observe the historic art of horse packing, using the famous diamond hitch. When everything is securely in place, you will mount up and ride into Mystic Valley for the final night. It is traditional with the 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 4 - 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 you'll return to Banff at approximately 5:00 pm.

What to Bring

It is essential that you be prepared for all kinds of mountain weather. The guides have had many years of personal experience dealing with Mother Nature up here, so please take this list to heart! Mother Nature can be unpredictable up in the mountains, so you'll 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.

When packing your gear, keep in mind it is being packed out on a mule and the animals' comfort is very important. By following these 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 (they aren't supplied), please fill them only with essential items that you would need during the day, such as lip balm, your camera, sunscreen, etc. 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 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, it is also recommended 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.
~ 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 -- 1 Sweatshirt, 1 long-sleeved shirt (turtleneck if you prefer) and 2 t-shirts.
~ Jeans -- One pair for riding in over the three 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 there is no electricity at the camps. Toilet paper and hand soap is supplied 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.

For this same event in July and August, please order 3-Day Mystic Valley Tenting Horseback Ride from Banff-July & August.

Hotel pickup and transportation to the check-in point in Banff are NOT included. Rates are per person and in US dollars. There is no child discount for this tour. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-235-2251.